Chemotherapy may also be given by an intraperitoneal port. This device sits under the skin and requires no specific home care. The port allows for placing chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity. This technique is used to increase the concentration of the chemotherapy page 8 that contacts tumors in the abdomen. For some patients, IV insertions can eventually damage the veins in the arm.
Some patients have small veins and some have very few accessible veins.
Frequent IV insertions and too small or too few veins may prompt the doctor to recommend a permanent type of IV catheter. Permanent catheters allow patients to go home and receive chemotherapy without needing other IV's placed. Along with receiving chemotherapy and IV fluids through this catheter, patients can receive blood products and even have their blood drawn without painful needle sticks. Chemotherapy may be given once a day, once a week, or even once a month, depending on the type of cancer and what research has shown is the best time period for treatment. How much chemotherapy costs will depend on a lot of things, such as the kind of drugs used and how often you take them.