chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is combinations of drug treatments to target and kill the cancer cells
Chemotherapy can be given through a vein requiring a needle in the arm or some chemotherapy options are oral tablets.
Some people have ‘ports’ inserted. These require a surgery to place. These reduce the number of needle insertions into the peripheral veins as it is an alternative access into a big vein in the neck through the front of the chest. This is then accessed instead of inserting lines into the peripheral veins regularly. This is called ‘central access’.
Some chemotherapy medicines need to be given ‘centrally’ to reduce the risk to more peripheral, smaller veins from the medicines. Ports are removed when treatment is completed or the port is not needed anymore.
The side effects of chemotherapy are based on the specific medicines used for different types of cancer
Common side effects include hair loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, mouth sores, infection.
There is an increased risk of an infection when having chemotherapy or with a port inserted and if you are unwell or have a fever, it is vital to seek medical attention.