Less invasive local anesthetics, such as topical creams rather than needles, have reduced the pain and unpleasantness of many tests and treatments. Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives ease the anticipatory anxiety and pain frequently experienced with procedures such as bone marrow aspirations and spinal taps. Young people with cancer, particularly those receiving intensive treatment, may need nutritional support with high calorie foods. If the child or teenager is unable to take in enough calories by mouth and the bowel is working well, feedings may be given directly into the stomach through a tube. Sometimes they can be given at home allowing earlier discharge from hospital.
Most chemotherapy drugs cause a temporary lowering of the blood cell counts.
When these counts are low, children and teenagers with cancer have an increased chance of acquiring an infection and greater difficulty fighting it. They may bleed more easily and sometimes require red blood cell or platelet transfusions. A child or teenager who develops a fever or major infection may be admitted to hospital for intravenous antibiotic therapy. Episodes of infection can interfere with the scheduling of treatment. In specific medical situations, use of G-CSF can shorten the period of increased susceptibility to bacterial infection and prevent delays in starting the next course of chemotherapy.