Comprehensive Cancer Care Services

Services | Chemotherapy | Medications

How Are The Medications Given?

Most anti-cancer drugs are given intravenous (IV) through a vein. An IV is a small plastic needle inserted in to a vein in the arm. These medications may also be injected into a muscle or under the skin; or given by mouth.

Some patients will require the insertion of a central line, which is a thin, flexible tube that stays in place until treatment is over. One end of the catheter is placed in a large vein in the chest; the other end remains outside the body.

Anti-cancer drugs sometimes are given in other ways. Intraperitoneal administration of anticancer drugs delivers the drug directly into the abdomen through a catheter. To reach cancer cells in the central nervous system (CNS), the patient may receive intrathecal chemotherapy. In this type of treatment, the anticancer drugs enter the cerebrospinal fluid through a needle placed in the spinal column or a device placed under the scalp.