Chemotherapy (Systemic Therapy)
What is chemotherapy? (also referred to as Systemic Therapy)
Chemotherapy is a method of treating cancer by using drugs or medicines.
Often a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used. This depends on the
individual and their specific needs. Your doctor will work with you to
decide the best treatment plan for you.
How does chemotherapy work?
Cancer cells grow in an uncontrolled way. Chemotherapy drugs slow or stop the cancer cells from growing, multiplying or spreading to other parts of your body (also referred to as metastasizing).
Chemotherapy is a powerful treatment affecting the whole body so healthy
cells can also be damaged. This damage to healthy cells causes side effects.
The damage is usually temporary and the healthy cells will repair
themselves.
How is chemotherapy treatment given?
Chemotherapy can be given by mouth orally, or by injection (intravenous),
depending on the type of chemotherapy. Your health care team at the Cancer
Centre will help you decide on the method that is best for you.
Who receives chemotherapy?
At your consultation appointment at the cancer clinic, your health care
team will work with you to determine your best treatment plan. Depending on
the type of cancer you have, chemotherapy may be offered as a treatment
option.
Where do you receive chemotherapy?
If you are receiving intravenous chemotherapy, it is usually given in the chemotherapy treatment unit located on the 4th level of the Cancer Centre. You will meet pharmacists and nurses who are specially trained for chemotherapy delivery. They will go over your treatment and side effects in great detail and answer any questions you may have.
If you are receiving oral chemotherapy, you will be given a prescription to fill and take home with you. This prescription can be filled for you at the hospital retail pharmacy next to Tim Horton’s at the main entrance of Grand River Hospital.
Chemotherapy may also be given at the following locations depending on the
treatment:
- Mount Forest (Louise Marshall Hospital)
- Guelph General Hospital
- Cambridge Memorial Hospital
If one of these locations is closer to home for you, please ask your
health care team about receiving your treatment at one of these locations.
How long does chemotherapy treatment last?
There are many different treatments and combinations (also called treatment protocols). They vary from daily to weekly to monthly treatments. Some of them take less than 30 minutes per visit, while others may take up to 5 or 6 hours at a time.
Once you and your health care team have determined the best treatment
plan for you, they will be able to estimate the length of your particular
treatment.
Are there any side effects?
Different drugs may cause different side effects in different people.
Some patients experience no side effects at all and some patients can
experience most or all side effects. Once you and your health care team have
determined your treatment plan, the doctor, nurse and pharmacist will review
any potential side effects with you and give you advice on how to manage
them.
What questions should I ask my health care team?
Since chemotherapy is very specific to each person, you may want to ask your health care team at the cancer centre the following questions: click here