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How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffHow you prepare for chemotherapy depends on which drugs you'll receive and how they'll be administered. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare for your chemotherapy treatments. You may need to:
- Have a device surgically inserted before intravenous chemotherapy. If you'll be receiving your chemotherapy intravenously — into a vein — your doctor may recommend a device, such as a catheter, port or pump. The catheter or other device is surgically implanted into a large vein, usually in your chest. Chemotherapy drugs can be given through the device.
- Have your blood tested for certain genes. People with certain genes in their cells may process some chemotherapy drugs differently from people without these genes. This can cause additional side effects. For this reason, your doctor may recommend a blood test to look for genes that indicate certain drugs should be avoided or given in altered doses.
- Make arrangements for help at home and at work. Most chemotherapy treatments are given in an outpatient clinic, which means most people are able to continue working and doing their usual activities during chemotherapy. Your doctor can tell you how much the chemotherapy will affect your usual activities, but it's difficult to predict just how you'll feel. Plan ahead by asking for time off work or help around the house for the first few days after treatment. If you'll be in the hospital during chemotherapy treatment, make arrangements to take time off work and find a friend or family member to take care of your children, pets or home.
- Plan ahead for side effects. Ask your doctor what side effects you can expect during and after chemotherapy and make appropriate arrangements. For instance, if your chemotherapy treatment will cause infertility, you may wish to store sperm or fertilized eggs for future use. If your chemotherapy will cause hair loss, consider planning for a head covering.
- See your dentist. Your doctor may recommend that a dentist check your teeth for signs of infection. Treating existing infections may reduce the risk of complications during chemotherapy treatment, since chemotherapy reduces your body's ability to fight infections.
- Undergo tests and procedures to make sure you're healthy enough for chemotherapy. Blood tests to check liver function and heart tests to check for heart health can determine whether you're healthy enough to begin chemotherapy. If there's a problem, your doctor may delay your treatment or select a chemotherapy drug and dosage that's safer for you.
References
- Freter CE, et al. Systemic therapy. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:449.
- Chemotherapy and you: Support for people with cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you/allpages/print. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Part I: Understanding chemotherapy. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Part+I%3A+Understanding+Chemotherapy. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Part III: Side effects of chemotherapy. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Part+III%3A+Side+Effects+of+Chemotherapy?cpsextcurrchannel=1. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Part II: Chemotherapy - Your personal experience. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Part+II%3A+Chemotherapy%26mdash%3BYour+Personal+Experience?cpsextcurrchannel=1. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- What are the different ways to take chemotherapy? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_4X_What_Are_The_Different_Ways_To_Take_Chemotherapy.asp?sitearea=ETO. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Chemotherapy: What it is, how it works. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_2X_Chemotherapy_What_It_Is_How_It_Helps.asp. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Learning more about your disease. National Marrow Donor Program. http://www.marrow.org/PATIENT/Undrstnd_Disease_Treat/Lrn_about_Disease/index.html. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Methotrexate (Rheumatrex). American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/medications/methotrexate.asp?aud=pat. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/medications/cyclophosphamide.asp?aud=pat. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
