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What to Expect

Though oral chemotherapy is taken at home, your healthcare team must be kept informed of your progress during your treatment. You will be an active member of that team, which, in addition to your doctor and an oncology nurse, may include a pharmacist, surgeon, social worker, and business manager. You will be responsible for taking your medication on schedule, keeping a record of how you are feeling, maintaining open communication with your healthcare team, and not missing your scheduled office visits.

What is different about oral chemotherapy?

Oral chemotherapy means less time traveling to your doctor's office and more time with friends and family. Some of the additional benefits of oral chemotherapy may include the sense of independence you may feel as an active partner in your own care and fewer problems related to the intravenous (IV) line or catheter necessary for IV chemotherapy. Surveys show that some patients prefer the convenience of oral chemotherapy over IV chemotherapy.

For a straightforward look at oral chemotherapy, which has been shown to be just as effective for certain cancers as IV chemotherapy, visit the Oral Chemotherapy Guide.

Does the convenience of oral chemotherapy mean a trade-off in effectiveness?

Studies have shown oral chemotherapy to be as effective and as safe as cancer treatments given through IV for some types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about whether there is an oral chemotherapy appropriate for your type of cancer.

What are the key benefits of oral chemotherapy?

Taken at home instead of at an infusion center, oral chemotherapy is more convenient because it helps minimize some of the disruptions that can accompany IV chemotherapy treatment. Oral chemotherapy means fewer visits to the doctor's office, which can offer a greater sense of independence. When taking anticancer drugs in tablet or capsule form, there is less risk of the infection and discomfort that can sometimes occur with an IV line. As with other medical equipment, the devices used in IV chemotherapy carry the risk of not working properly. Because this equipment is not needed in oral chemotherapy, that risk is eliminated.

For a more-detailed discussion of the benefits of oral chemotherapy, download a printable version of the Oral Chemotherapy Guide.

What are my responsibilities during treatment?

Your doctor's decision to prescribe oral chemotherapy depends on your ability to follow the required treatment regimen. With less direct contact with medical professionals than there would be with IV treatment, it is critical that you track how oral chemotherapy is making you feel. There is the possibility that the medication may not be absorbed properly because of vomiting and diarrhea. There is also the possibility that you will not keep to your treatment regimen, or not report all of your side effects in a timely manner.

For a more-detailed discussion of oral chemotherapy, download a printable version of the Oral Chemotherapy Guide.

Are there any helpful techniques or tools to help report side effects and stay on schedule with treatment?

Ask members of your healthcare team for helpful methods for keeping up with your oral chemotherapy treatment regimen. You may be offered information about special pillbox organizers; automated telephone reminder systems; or calendars on which you can record your dosing schedule, laboratory tests, and doctor's office appointments.

How can I keep track of my side effects during treatment?

Sticking to your medication schedule means maximum effectiveness for your treatment. Keeping a daily diary of the side effects you experience helps you to remember important details when you give your healthcare team updates on your progress. Download a sample side effects diary.