Where chemotherapy treatment is given

Chemotherapy drugs are usually prepared in a special area of the hospital pharmacy. All the drugs are carefully checked by the pharmacy staff to make sure they’re the right ones for you. Chemotherapy tablets, capsules or creams can be given to you to take home.

Most intravenous chemotherapy drugs can be given to you as a day patient at the hospital. This may take from half an hour to a few hours. However, some treatments will mean a short stay in hospital. Some chemotherapy treatments| which involve higher doses of chemotherapy require a longer stay in hospital, perhaps for a few weeks. Your doctor or nurse will explain exactly what your treatment will involve before it starts.

Chemotherapy by intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, intrathecal injection, or given into the bladder (intravesical) is usually given in the outpatients department or the chemotherapy day unit at the hospital. It may also be given on certain wards within the hospital.

Sometimes, specialist chemotherapy nurses can visit you at home to give intravenous chemotherapy. This sort of service is only available in some parts of the UK and with some types of chemotherapy treatment. You can ask your doctor whether it’s possible to have your treatment at home. 

Things to remember when having chemotherapy at home

• Chemotherapy tablets, capsules or injections may need to be stored in a particular way, such as in the fridge. Always follow the instructions given by your pharmacist.
• Other people in your household should avoid direct contact with your chemotherapy drugs and avoid picking them up with bare hands.
• All drugs must be stored out of the reach of children as they could cause serious harm if taken by accident.
• If you’re having intravenous chemotherapy by pump and you notice the drug leaking from the pump or tube, you should close the clamps on the pump, wrap it in a plastic bag and wash your hands. Some hospitals provide a ‘spill’ or ‘leakage’ kit, which includes instructions on what to do if your pump leaks. You should then contact the nurse or doctor at the hospital immediately.
• If you feel unwell at any time, phone the hospital or clinic immediately for advice.