Chemotherapy Facts and Hints

Your infusion treatment team includes experienced professionals who use the latest techniques to diagnose and treat people with cancer.

Facts

• Chemotherapy is a term used to describe the treatment of cancer with drugs.
• Chemotherapy can be given by mouth or by injection into a vein or artery, below the skin, into a muscle, or into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
• Side effects from chemotherapy are the direct result of the anti-cancer drugs on normal cells. Normal cells include those found in bone marrow, mouth, stomach, intestines, hair follicles, and reproductive cells (sperm and egg).
• Chemotherapy produces side effects in some, but not all, patients.
• These side effects may not be the same in all patients.
• Most side effects can be managed. Severe side effects are uncommon.

Helpful Hints

Patients treated for cancer often are more likely to catch colds, flus, and other contagious diseases. So:

• Family members should not be sick when they come with a patient to an appointment.
• Family members exposed to a contagious illness must wait three weeks after their last exposure before coming to the clinic.
• Patients should call Infusion Services if they have any questions about their visit.

To help protect you from complications, notify your physician if:

• You have a fever above 100.5 F;
• You have unusual bruising or bleeding;
• You have any unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and/or excessive fatigue;
• You have persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation lasting more than 48 hours after chemotherapy; or
• You have persistent mouth sores, ulceration, or painful swallowing.