Sometimes it can be difficult to find a suitable vein into which chemotherapy can be given. If this happens there’s the option of having a long-term access device (infusaport or Portacath®) or a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter). This involves putting a thin, soft plastic tube into a vein into the chest or arm that can be left in for weeks or months. The tube can be used to deliver chemotherapy. Sometimes, the tube connects to a disc (the ‘port’) under the skin of the chest.
Another way of giving chemotherapy for women with advanced ovarian cancer is intraperitoneal chemotherapy (putting the chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity using a tube).
Chemotherapy is usually given in a clinic or hospital on an outpatient basis by a chemotherapy nurse. It may be given in a room or ward with other people who are receiving chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy cycles
Chemotherapy is usually given in ‘cycles’. Each cycle involves a short period of treatment followed by a rest period. This gives the body a chance to recover between treatments. The number of cycles, the length of the treatment period and the length of the rest period will depend on the stage and grade of ovarian cancer and the type of chemotherapy.Standard treatment for women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer is to receive 6 cycles of chemotherapy, with one cycle every 3 weeks.
Women with early stage disease may be given 3–6 cycles and some women with advanced disease receive more than 6 cycles. Treatment might be given on one day or over a number of days. The time it takes to give the drugs depends on the type of drug and can range from 30 minutes to 24 hours.