Patient Information

Patient Experience: Chemotherapy

Ursula A. Matulonis, MD

When you meet your medical oncologist

When you first come to Dana-Farber to see your medical oncologist, you will have an individualized treatment plan developed. At Dana-Farber, we take all aspects of the patient into consideration before a plan is created. We use a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Your team may consist of specialists from medical oncology, gynecological surgery, and radiation oncology.

The medical oncologist is the physician expert that plans your chemotherapy regimen. The plan may be the standard of care, the universally accepted plan of care for your type and stage of cancer, or you may be eligible to be treated on a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a research study designed to answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose or treat disease.

Chemotherapy are medicines used to treat any disease or illness, although the word often describes medicines used to treat cancer. Chemotherapy is used to destroy the cancer cells and/or keep them from reproducing. Chemotherapy may involve one drug or a combination of drugs. It is often used in combination with surgery and radiation.

Chemotherapy can be given different ways. It is most commonly given intravenously, although it can also be administered by mouth or by injection into the muscle, the skin, or into the abdomen directly (intraperitoneal or IP).

Preparing for an Appointment

Write down questions you wish to ask your doctor or nurse practitioner so that you will not forget them.

Bring someone with you, if possible. A family member or close friend can assist you in taking notes or being a "second pair of ears" when you are receiving a lot of information.

Prepare a detailed list of your symptoms and relevant past medical history. For return visits, bring a brief progress report on how you are doing.

Bring your insurance cards, name and addresses of your other health care providers and/or your medical records with you to your appointment.

Make a list of medicines (name and dose) you are taking or bring your medicine bottles with you to your appointment. Your doctor needs to know all of the medicines you take (even non-prescription drugs) because it is possible for medicines to interact, causing unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects. In addition to over-the-counter medicines such as eye drops or laxatives, it is extremely important that you inform your health care providers about any vitamins, minerals and herbs you are taking. For return visits, make a list of any medication refills you need

Coping with side effects

Your team will sit down with you before you begin your treatment to go over potential side effects. The team will be readily available to help manage symptoms once your therapy has begun. It is important to keep track of symptoms and report them to your team when you are here for your visits.