What happens during chemotherapy treatment?

Here is a brief description of what happens during the administration of chemotherapy, to help you prepare for your treatment. 

The goals of chemotherapy are to:

• eliminate the tumour
  
• shrink the tumour
  
• prevent cancer from spreading
  
• relieve symptoms from cancer, such as pain. 
  

Chemotherapy can be administered:

• intravenously (IV)
  
• by pill
  
• through injection
  
• through an intravenous (IV) infusion pump
  

Intravenous

If you are going to be given chemotherapy intravenously, you will be given an appointment date and time, to be confirmed closer to the time. A registered nurse will administer the chemotherapy . The nurse will also review your treatment plan and the potential side effects.

Treatment can take several minutes, to several hours, up to a full day, depending on the protocol. 

IV infusion pump

Some patients go home with a continuous chemotherapy IV infusion pump. 

Pills

If your therapy is to be given in the form of pills, you will be given an appointment to meet the pharmacist who will give you your prescription, review the side effects of the chemotherapy pills, and reinforce who and when to call for medical advice.

There are many side effects in chemotherapy, but no one patient experiences all side effects. Your nurse or pharmacist will discuss the specific side effects related to your medications. 

Managing symptoms & side effects

We have produced health info on managing symptoms and side effects that you might experience, such as hair loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, and so on. 

• Managing symptoms & side effects.
  

You might also get help from a pain and managment clinic in one of our regional centres. 

• Pain & Symptom Management service page.