Administration of Chemotherapy

Orally

Chemotherapy is administered in two popular ways: orally and intravenously. Oral chemotherapy comes in the form of a tablet or a capsule that can be swallowed with a glass of water. The benefits to oral chemotherapy are great. Taking tablets means the cancer patient can stay at home without having to make any sort of treatment. Oral chemotherapy also eliminates the need for injections, which can be painful. Oral chemotherapy is generally taken once in the morning and once at night for a prescribed amount of time. Different drugs are used for different types of cancers (see Resources below).

Intravenously

Intravenous chemotherapy is administered to a cancer patient through a vein. In most cases patients first undergo a small procedure to place a venous access device, or VAD, in their vein. This device stays in the vein for the duration of the chemotherapy treatments. The IV can be hooked right up the the VAD, which is not painful, instead of being stuck with a new IV every
time treatment is needed. Blood can also be taken from the VAD, eliminating the need to be stuck for a blood test. Intravenous chemotherapy is given in one day, after which the patient is given from one to four weeks of rest. After the rest period the cycle begins again. The amount of cycles and time to rest is determined by the doctor and the severity of the cancer.

Other Methods

There are a few less popular methods of administering chemotherapy. Sometimes chemotherapy is given through a patient's muscle, which is called intramuscular. Chemotherapy can also be given on or under the skin. Finally, chemotherapy can be injected directly in the spot where the cancer is. Only an oncologist can decide which procedure is right for the patient. He or she
will make this determination based on a series of tests and the type of cancer the patient has.

This device stays in the vein for the duration of the chemotherapy treatments. The IV can be hooked right up the the VAD, which is not painful, instead of being stuck with a new IV every time treatment is needed. Blood can also be taken from the VAD, eliminating the need to be stuck for a blood test. Intravenous chemotherapy is given in one day, after which the patient is given from one to four weeks of rest. After the rest period the cycle begins again. The
amount of cycles and time to rest is determined by the doctor and the severity of the cancer.

Taking tablets means the cancer patient can stay at home without having to make any sort of treatment. Oral chemotherapy also eliminates the need for injections, which can be painful. Oral chemotherapy is generally taken once in the morning and once at night for a prescribed amount of time. Different drugs are used for different types of cancers (see Resources below).

Sometimes chemotherapy is given through a patient's muscle, which is called intramuscular. Chemotherapy can also be given on or under the skin. Finally, chemotherapy can be injected directly in the spot where the cancer is. Only an oncologist can decide which procedure is right for the patient. He or she will make this determination based on a series of tests and the type of cancer the patient has.