Updated on: Sep 14, 2022

Chemotherapy Treatment

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Chemotherapy treatment may include one type of drug or a mix of two or more drugs. Your Oncologist will tell you the best options for you.

Chemotherapy treatment is often given in the Chemotherapy Suite or "Chemo Suite" found on the 4th floor of the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre. Some of the Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program partner sites (opens in new window) also can give chemotherapy. Ask your health care team about care closer to your home.

Chemotherapy can be given:

In a pill form (oral chemotherapy)
Through a vein in your body (intravenous (IV) chemotherapy)
By injection into your muscle or under your skin

If you are offered chemotherapy you will:

Be asked to sign a treatment consent form
Meet with your nurse to review the treatment and side effects
Have your treatment booked and a schedule printed for you
Meet with your cancer pharmacist on your first treatment day to review your pills, supplements and/or vitamins

Chemotherapy Facts

It is very important that you fill out Your Symptoms Matter (opens in new window) at each follow-up visit to monitor your symptoms
You may not always get your chemotherapy at a cancer centre or cancer site. Some chemotherapy is given in a pill form that you will take at home
Your Oncologist will tell you how many treatments you will need
If you have any questions while getting chemotherapy ask your clinic nurse or chemo suite nurse
Unless told by your team, you can eat before and during your treatment. Make sure to pack snacks as some treatments can be long
One care giver or support person can sit with you during your treatment or visit with you virtually (using a phone, tablet or cancer centre iPad)
Your treatment plan may change over time

Acs Chemo — American Cancer Society Chemotherapy Handout

Central Lines

A central line is a thin, flexible catheter (tube) that will get placed into a vein in your neck, arm or chest.

A central line might be left in your body for weeks or months. It can deliver chemotherapy fluids, IV medications, IV fluids or nutrition. It may allow for less skin pricks.

PICC Line

You might hear the term "PICC line" during your visits. A PICC line is a Peripherally Insterted Central Catheter. It is put into a large vein on the inside of your arm, close to your elbow. The line travels inside of your vein to the top of your heart.

Implanted Device (Port-A-Cath)

An implanted device (a.k.a Port-A-Cath) is a small round titanium or plastic chamber. The top has a silicone (plastic) cover that will self seal after it is accessed by a special needle.

The port is placed under your skin. It can be on the right or left side of your chest. The catheter will travel under your skin, into a large vein near the collarbone through to the top of your heart.

For more information about ports visit the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre web page, About Your Implanted Port (opens in new window).

Chemotherapy Video - American Cancer Society

Transcript for: Chemotherapy Video - American Cancer Society

if chemotherapy or chemo has been

recommended as a treatment for your

cancer

you may have lots of questions how long

will treatments last

how can i prepare how will it make me

feel

first realize that it's normal to have

these questions and more

or to feel confused and maybe even

scared

understanding what to expect can help so

let's go through some of the more common

questions you may have

how does chemo work and how is it given

chemo is strong medicine that kills

cancer cells

many kinds of chemo are given through an

iv line into a vein

called an injection or infusion though

some chemo

may be taken as a pill how soon should i

start treatments

will other treatments also be given your

cancer care team will talk to you about

when

treatment should begin other treatments

such as radiation

targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be

given

along with chemo where do people go

to get treatments chemo is usually given

in an outpatient clinic

some treatments require a hospital stay

and certain types can be taken at home

how long does treatment last and how

often is it given

there's no one right answer because

different chemo drugs work in different

ways

but chemo is often given in cycles a

cycle

is a period of treatment followed by a

period of rest

for example you might receive chemo once

a week for four weeks

or a few days per week followed by a

rest period

the rest period in between gives your

body a chance to recover

how can someone prepare for chemo some

kinds of side effects

which we'll discuss in a second might

happen during or right after getting

chemo

others after a few days or weeks talk to

your cancer care team about what to

expect

so you can adjust your work or family

schedule if needed

what are common side effects while not

all people getting chemo have the same

side effects

there are some that are common such as

nausea or vomiting

hair loss diarrhea constipation

fatigue fever low blood cell counts

appetite changes or mouth soreness your

cancer care team can help you prevent

and manage side effects

what are some good questions to ask

because

every person is different not everyone

will have the same response to chemo or

side effects

talk to your cancer care team about the

chemo drugs being used

the treatment schedule possible side

effects and when you should call the

doctor or nurse

also ask about any precautions to

protect yourself and others

while getting treatment to learn more

visit cancer.org

treatment or call the american cancer

society helpline

at 1-800-227-2345

to speak with a cancer information

specialist.