Chemotherapy infusion is also called intravenous (IV) infusion. It is a method used to administer fluids, saline, chemotherapy drugs, etc into the blood. The diagnosis of the cancer, stage, overall health, blood counts, hormonal levels, sugar levels, blood pressure, etc would be considered before a combination of drugs and their dosage is decided. The infusion schedule depends upon the dose i.e. high level or a low level dose. Infusion is done in cycles with a break in between. Normally, for most cancers, one cycle goes on for 2-3 weeks. Like this, there could be 4-8 cycles depending on the requirement.

Systemic chemotherapy infusion is done through an IV drip or an injection. Various devices could be fitted inside as long as the treatment is on. Most of these therapies are done in outpatient settings. If the treatment is very intensive, or if the drip lasts for more than a day, then the patient needs to be hospitalized.

If a port is fitted under the skin, then a special needle would be connected to the catheter to administer the chemotherapy drugs. Otherwise, the needle would be directly inserted into the vein and then positioned with a bandage.

Once this process is over, the drugs in the IV bag would drip at a controlled rate into the bloodstream. Any sickness medications, other injections, etc can be administered through this IV bag. Some drugs are given through a large plastic syringe that connects to the catheter. At times, an infusion pump is used to push the drug inside.

Before the infusion process begins, the patient’s blood count would be checked.

Different Modes of Systemic Chemotherapy Infusion

There are different modes of chemotherapy administration depending on the dose, drug used and the time taken to by the patient complete the treatment. These modes are certain devices like a short-term IV, catheter or port.

Short Term IV

If the treatment is for less than a week then a short term IV is used. It has a needle and a tube attached to the injection portal. This needle is inserted into the vein and bandaged to keep it in place. Certain examples of short term IV are- peripheral IV line, simple IV catheter, butterfly needles and Huber needles.

Catheter

If the treatment is scheduled for 6 weeks, then the durgs can be administered through the catheter. Most of the length of the tube is placed inside the skin in the arm vein. A short end of the tube is kept outside and covered with a cap. All the drugs or, injections are administered through this. This allows the doctor to work with ease, so that he does not have to insert a needle into the vein everytime. Some examples of a catheter are mid clavicular catheter, mid line catheter and PICC Line.

Port

This is can be used throughout four or more cycles of chemotherapy. The tubing is done in a large vein inside the arm of chest that goes up to the heart. These are either tunneled catheters with external injection caps or implanted ports through which all the drugs and injections can be administered. The port stays there as long as it is required. Some examples of ports are central venous catheter and implanted ports.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy Infusion

The are various side effects of chemotherapy infusions include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, chills, fever, peripheral neuropathy, hair loss, etc. These side effect of chemotherapy depend on the dose of the drug and whether it suits the patient.

Chemotherapy infusion is actually mixing of chemotherapy drugs in the bloodstream. This is systemic chemotherapy as the drugs are administered intravenously. This is done for almost all the types and stages of cancers.