Some chemotherapy drugs require the patient to stay in the hospital for a few days. Other types of chemotherapy can be given in an outpatient setting, here known as the Ambulatory Infusion Unit. Trained oncology nurses administer the chemotherapy prescribed by the doctor and monitor the patient for side effects. If pills, liquids, or capsules have been prescribed, you can take them at home or at work. Whether or not you are receiving chemotherapy as an in-patient or an outpatient you will still need to see the doctor at specified intervals so the tumor's response can be monitored and your blood counts analyzed.
Cancer therapy is a fast-changing field, with new treatment schedules always being tested.
Apart from the ever changing recommended treatments, every person is different, every tumor is different, and every chemotherapy program is tailored to fit the situation. There are several ways to tell if a tumor is responding to treatment. These same tests will have been done before treatment to establish a baseline for future comparisons. Your physician will decide how often the above tests will be done to determine response.