We hope that you will find this information useful. It will not answer every question about chemotherapy treatments. It is intended as a substitute for discussion with the doctors and nursing staff. We hope that after you have read this, you will find it easier to ask questions and to discuss your treatment and progress with your doctor and nurse. There are more details about your individual treatments available which the chemotherapy nurse will give to you.
This is an Outpatient Unit for patients receiving chemotherapy. Treatments may vary in length of time and the department is open from 8.30am to 6.00pm.
The suite has two bedrooms and eight treatment chairs. These areas are used to provide treatments, patient support and pre-chemotherapy assessments. The area is open plan to allow patients to talk to each other and gain support, however sometimes this can be a problem when discussing confidential information. Future plans to improve privacy and dignity are by developing the single bedrooms into accommodation that will facilitate assessment and also allow for single sex accommodation.
There is no visiting time as this is an Outpatient Unit. Children under the age of 12 are not encouraged to come in the treatment areas but are welcome in the waiting area.
Food and drink is provided in the unit for patients who are present at meal times. There is also the WRVS tea bar in the Outpatients Department and Tree Tops Restaurant.
Chemotherapy means using medicines to treat cancer. Many types of medicines are used in chemotherapy, all of which attack cancer cells in different ways. For this reason, we often give several medicines in combination to increase the effectiveness of treatment. Chemotherapy can be used alone or with radiotherapy and surgery.
The medicines are carried by the bloodstream to all parts of the body where they act by interfering with the growth of rapidly growing cells such as cancer cells. The cells of some normal tissues also grow rapidly, for example, the cells of the hair roots, mouth, bone marrow and lining of the bowel. These may be temporarily affected by chemotherapy.
This depends on the type of treatment you are having. In most cases, each chemotherapy treatment is followed by a rest period of between one and four weeks. This is called a cycle. Depending upon your condition and the reason for giving you chemotherapy, the treatment will continue for a set period. The staff will discuss your individual treatment with you.
The doctors and chemotherapy nurses will discuss the treatment that is recommended for you and explain how it will affect you. Once you have had all your queries and concerns about your treatment answered to your satisfaction, you will then be asked to sign a consent form.
Chemotherapy information sheets
The chemotherapy information sheets give details about individual chemotherapy treatment. Your doctor will discuss this with you when you come to the department. Because we work closely with The Christie Foundation Trust, some of our information is produced by them.
Each card has:
Sometimes it is necessary to have a central venous catheter inserted to enable you to have you chemotherapy administered. A central venous catheter is a long fine hollow tube with an opening at each end. One end provides access from outside your body to the other end which is situated in a large vein in the chest. It can remain in position for several months. There is a cuff on the line which anchors it in position under the skin and prevents it falling out, it also helps prevent infection. About 12 inches of the line remains outside the chest. It has a plastic clamp on it which must always be closed when the line is not in use. The end of the line always has a plastic bung or cap attached to it when it is not being used. If you need more than one drug at a time, you may have a central venous catheter with two or three lumens, that is, a line with two or three ends.
The line may be used to give your chemotherapy, fluids, blood or other drugs directly into your bloodstream. Some chemotherapy drugs are not suitable to be given into the veins in your hand or arm, so these drugs must be given into a larger vein. It may also be used for taking blood samples which are needed regularly, avoiding the need for repeated needle stabs in your arm. Some patients are able to continue their treatment at home with a central venous catheter in place. People who have a phobia of needles may prefer to have a central venous catheter.
An alternative to a central venous catheter is a PICC. A PICC is a peripherally inserted central catheter. It is a thin flexible tube that is inserted into a vein, usually in the bend of your arm. The PICC is then threaded along the vein so that the tip lies in one of the large veins in the chest. It can remain in position for up to six months. A specially trained nurse or doctor will insert your PICC. Not all patients are suitable for a PICC, so a doctor or nurse will assess you before one is inserted.
The illustration below shows the PICC line, and where it enters the vein at the inside of the elbow.
For oncology patients these devices are inserted at The Christie Hospital. guidelines for district nurses are included to enable him or her to care for central venous catheters.
One of the most unpleasant effects of chemotherapy is losing all your hair. We offer a confidential wig fitting service here in the centre. This service is available on each Tuesday morning. Any chemotherapy patient from East Cheshire NHS Trust wanting a referral to this service needs to contact the chemotherapy team on 01625 663198, or for clients who travel further we liaise with companies in Stockport and Manchester.
Scalp cooling is a method used to lower the temperature of the scalp, which restricts the amount of blood reaching the hair follicles. This then protects the hair follicles from the effects of the concentrated chemotherapy and can result in a high level of hair retention or complete hair preservation.
Fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatment. Fatigue is when you have less energy to do the things you would normally do or want to do. This is different from the fatigue of everyday life. Fatigue related to cancer treatment can appear suddenly and can be overwhelming.
It is not relieved by rest and can affect you physically, psychologically and emotionally.
What to look for:
What you can do:
Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, improves lung function, reduces being overweight and minimises the impact of aging. This message applies as much to cancer patients as to anyone else – perhaps even more.
It is important to try and exercise a little if you can, even when you are not feeling too well. Research shows that exercise can help with the side effects of treatment such as fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting. It can also improve your mood and feelings of confidence. Too much exercise can make you tired, so can too little. It’s important to find your own level.
Exercise as much as you can to keep muscles working as well as possible. Exercise helps prevent problems caused by long-term bed rest, such as stiff joints, weak muscles, breathing problems, constipation, fragile skin, poor appetite and low moods.
Benefits of regular exercise: