Treatment

A. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the treatment used for certain types of cancer. It is the use of medicines (also called chemotherapy drugs) to stop the growth of cancer cells. Each medicine kills cancer cells in its own way, and several drugs may be given at the same time, in combinations which have proven to be the most effective in treating the type of cancer with which your child has been diagnosed.

The unfamiliar drug names and treatment plans may be a little overwhelming until you become accustomed to them, but the doctors and nurses will provide you with whatever information you require, prior to beginning any treatment.

Some medicines take longer to administer, and doses may change, depending on the phase of treatment your child is in. Medicines may be given

• intravenously (injected into the vein)
• intrathecally (injected into the spinal canal by a lumbar puncture)
• intramuscularly (injected in the muscle [of a thigh usually])
• subcutaneously (injected just under the skin)
• orally (as a pill to be chewed and swallowed)

If treatment drugs need to be given intravenously, the doctors may recommend that a medical port or central venous catheter be surgically implanted in your child's shoulder, chest or abdomen (though it is usually implanted in the shoulder). A medical port (such as an "Infusaport") is a device about the size of a quarter, which is connected to the child's veins. The top part of the device has a rubber membrane through which a needle can be inserted for the purpose of taking blood samples or giving chemotherapy drugs. A central venous catheter (such as a "Broviac") is a long pliable tube which works in a similar manner to a medical port. These devices will avoid the necessity of having needles inserted into the child's hands, wrists, or elsewhere, and will greatly facilitate your child's treatment. The doctors and nurses will be able to answer any questions you may have about these medical devices.

Examples of medical ports:

Chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as the cancer cells. Generally, fast-growing cells (such as hair) are affected. There are side effects to all of the medicines used in chemotherapy. The Haematology doctors will give you a sheet identifying the most common side effects for the types of drugs your child will be given. Certain side effects need to be reported to your doctor immediately (please refer to page i: "When To Contact The Treatment Team"), so you should familiarize yourself with the procedures for contacting the Treatment Team.

B. Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is the treatment, for certain types of cancer, by radioactive rays. You probably know that exposure to radiation and radioactive substances are dangerous, but when used in cancer treatment they can kill cancerous cells without affecting healthy cells permanently. Radiotherapy is painless, and once the setup procedures are done, the treatment itself takes little time.