The short answer
Chemotherapy can be given in many ways, such as pills you swallow, an injection, or most often through an IV in a vein. Some people receive it through a catheter, a port, or a pump. The method depends on your cancer and the drugs used.
Chemotherapy is given in several ways, including by mouth, injection, or through a vein (IV).
IV chemotherapy is the most common method and can be given through a thin needle, a catheter, a port, or a pump.
A catheter is a soft tube placed in a large vein; a port is a small disc placed under the skin.
Watch for signs of infection around a catheter or port and tell your care team right away.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. But there is no single way to give it. The method your team chooses depends on your type of cancer, the drugs being used, and where the cancer is in your body.
Chemotherapy can reach your body in several different ways, and your team picks the one that fits your treatment.
The common ways chemotherapy is given
Chemotherapy may be given in many ways. Some common ones are:
- Oral: pills, capsules, or liquids that you swallow.
- Intravenous (IV): the drug goes directly into a vein.
- Injection: a shot given into a muscle in your arm, thigh, or hip, or just under the skin in the fatty part of your arm, leg, or belly.
- Intrathecal: injected into the space between the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.
- Intraperitoneal (IP): placed directly into the peritoneal cavity, the area that holds organs such as the intestines, stomach, and liver.
- Intra-arterial (IA): injected directly into the artery that leads to the cancer.
- Topical: a cream that you rub onto your skin.
Of all these methods, chemotherapy is most often given by IV.
A closer look at IV chemotherapy
For IV chemotherapy, a nurse places a thin needle in a vein on your hand or lower arm. The nurse puts the needle in at the start of each treatment and removes it when treatment is over.
IV chemotherapy can also be given through a catheter or a port, and sometimes with the help of a pump.
A catheter. A catheter is a thin, soft tube. A doctor or nurse places one end in a large vein, often in your chest area, while the other end stays outside your body. Most catheters stay in place until you finish your chemotherapy. Catheters can also be used to give other drugs and to draw blood.
A port. A port is a small, round disc that a surgeon places under your skin during minor surgery. It is put in before your treatment begins and stays until you finish. A catheter connects the port to a large vein, most often in your chest. Your nurse can insert a needle into the port to give chemotherapy or draw blood. This needle can be left in place for treatments given over more than one day.
A pump. Pumps are often attached to catheters or ports. They control how much and how fast chemotherapy goes in, which can let you receive treatment outside of the hospital. External pumps stay outside your body. Internal pumps are placed under your skin during surgery.
Watching for infection. With a catheter or a port, be sure to watch for signs of infection around the area and tell your care team if you notice any.
How your team chooses your drugs
There are many different chemotherapy drugs. Which ones are part of your plan depends mostly on:
- the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is
- whether you have had chemotherapy before
- whether you have other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease
Your care team matches both the drugs and the method to your situation.
Where you go for chemotherapy
You may receive chemotherapy during a hospital stay, at home, or as an outpatient at a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital. Outpatient means you do not stay overnight.
No matter where you go, your doctor and nurse will watch for side effects and help you manage them. If you receive chemotherapy at home through a pump, your team will teach you and your caregivers what to do and what to watch for.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What are the main ways chemotherapy can be given?
Chemotherapy can be given as pills, capsules, or liquids you swallow; as an injection; or directly into a vein through an IV. It can also be placed into other areas, such as the space around the brain and spinal cord or the peritoneal cavity. It is most often given through an IV.
▸What is the difference between a catheter and a port?
A catheter is a thin, soft tube placed in a large vein, often in the chest, with one end staying outside the body. A port is a small, round disc placed under the skin during minor surgery and connected to a large vein. Both can be used to give chemotherapy and draw blood.
▸What is a chemotherapy pump?
A pump is often attached to a catheter or port. It controls how much and how fast chemotherapy goes in, which can let you receive chemotherapy outside the hospital. Pumps can be external (outside the body) or internal (placed under the skin during surgery).
▸Does IV chemotherapy hurt?
For IV chemotherapy, a nurse places a thin needle in a vein in your hand or lower arm at the start of each treatment and removes it when treatment is over. Your care team can help you manage any discomfort.
▸Why would someone need a port instead of a regular IV?
A port lets a needle be inserted to give chemotherapy or draw blood, and the needle can be left in place for treatments given over more than one day. A surgeon places the port before treatment begins, and it stays until treatment is finished.
▸Where will I go to receive chemotherapy?
You may receive chemotherapy during a hospital stay, at home, or as an outpatient at a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital. Outpatient means you do not stay overnight. Your doctor and nurse will watch for side effects wherever you go.
Questions to ask your doctor
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