Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs can be administered in a variety of different ways. Some chemotherapy can be given by multiple methods such as oral or intravenous depending on the strength, convenience and regimen prescribed. Cancer and Hematology Centers of Western Michigan offers a variety of options; the following are a few of the most common methods:

Intravenous Chemo Treatments
Oral Chemo Medication
Subcutaneous Chemo Treatments

Intravenous Chemo Treatments

  • Intravenous medications are given directly into the blood stream through a variety of methods, such as peripheral IV or through a central venous catheter.
  • Intravenous administration of medication allows for rapid entry into the body’s circulation, where it is carried throughout the body in the blood stream. This is the most common method of chemotherapy administration.
  • Doses can be given as an IV bolus lasting from a few minutes to a few hours. Continuous infusions can be given over a few days or for weeks at a time. Portable pumps allow medication to be given at a slow continuous rate allowing for ongoing IV absorption of the medication.

Oral Chemo Medication

  • Oral chemotherapy medications - those that can be swallowed - come in a variety of oral forms (pills, tablets, capsules, liquid), all of which can be absorbed by the stomach or under the tongue.
  • Oral chemo medications that are swallowed are encased in a protective coating that is broken down by the digestive juices in the stomach.
  • The stomach acids dissolve the coating releasing the medication, which is then absorbed through the lining of the stomach.
  • Some therapy medications can be encased in different protective coatings which are released at different times in the system allowing for a time delay, called an extended release. This method allows longer periods of time between doses.

Subcutaneous Injection of Chemo Treatments

  • Subcutaneous injections (sub-q) involve the use of a short needle such as those used by diabetics for the injection of insulin.
  • With subcutaneous injection of chemo treatment, the needle goes into the space between the skin and muscle but does not enter as far the muscle layer.
  • Subcutaneous chemo injections are commonly used for some types of biologic response modifiers and chemotherapy support drugs.

In addition to chemotherapy, we administer:

  • Infusion therapy (such as intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous hydration, intravenous iron dextran and others)
  • Blood transfusions 
  • Biologic therapy