Chemotherapy Infusion Pump: Explanation and Their Functioning Mechanism
Home Chemotherapy Pumps Simplify Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy, a treatment that uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells in the body, can now be administered at home thanks to the use of chemotherapy pumps. These devices, which dispense chemotherapy drugs at a controlled rate into the body, are becoming increasingly popular, offering patients a more comfortable and convenient treatment option.
There are several types of chemotherapy pumps, each with its own advantages. The primary types used for home treatment are syringe pumps and volumetric pumps. Syringe pumps use a syringe to deliver precise, programmable flow rates, typically suitable for smaller volumes or continuous drug delivery. Volumetric pumps, on the other hand, can administer larger volumes of chemotherapy with high accuracy, often used for continuous infusions over longer periods.
Portable or compact, these home chemotherapy pumps come with features like pre-programmed infusion rates, alarms, and automatic priming of IV tubing to simplify safe use outside a clinical setting. Patients or caregivers connect the pump to the central venous catheter after disinfecting the connection site and start the infusion according to nurse instructions. The pump alerts when infusion is complete or if there are problems, and it can switch to "keep vein open" (KVO) mode to maintain line patency.
Some medical centers, such as Reno VAMC, have implemented home infusion pump services for chemotherapy drugs like 5FU, often supported by visiting nurses for administration oversight to ensure safety.
Intracavitary chemotherapy involves limiting the delivery of chemo drugs into a body cavity. Examples include intrapleural and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, where a healthcare professional injects the chemo drugs into the chest or abdominal cavity, respectively. Intravesical chemotherapy involves filling the bladder with a chemo drug through a soft catheter, and the drug stays inside for several hours before the doctor drains the bladder and removes the catheter. Intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy delivers drugs to the spinal canal through a catheter to reach the cerebrospinal fluid, which is the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and is used to treat certain cancers that affect the brain. Intra-arterial chemotherapy involves placing the chemo drug directly into the artery that supplies the tumor, and is used to treat a single area, limiting the drug's effect on other parts of the body. Intralesional chemotherapy involves injecting the chemo drug into the tumor when it is in a site that is safely reachable with a needle. Intramuscular (IM) chemotherapy involves giving chemo drugs as an injection or shot through a muscle, and the most common injection sites are the thigh and buttocks.
Chemo pumps can deliver drugs directly into a person's bloodstream through a catheter, allowing a person to receive chemotherapy in the comfort of their home. This method may be simpler than using oral chemotherapy drugs. However, it is important to check a chemo pump from time to time to ensure that it is still pumping properly.
While using a chemo pump, a person can engage in light exercise and sexual activity, but should avoid anything that can raise or lower body temperature, such as strenuous exercise that leads to sweating. When bathing, the pump should be placed on a stool or chair next to the bath or shower, and it is not advisable to submerge it underwater or expose it directly to a stream of water. Chemo pumps can be programmed to deliver the correct dose of chemotherapy at the right time, and the flow of chemotherapy through a pump can last from several hours to a few days.
There are different types of portable chemotherapy pumps that may or may not require a battery. When using a chemo pump, it is crucial to follow the instructions provided by healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective treatment. With the right medical status and prescribed chemotherapy protocol, chemotherapy pumps can offer a convenient and comfortable way to receive chemotherapy treatment at home.
- Chemotherapy pumps, dispensing drugs at a controlled rate for cancer treatment, have become increasingly popular for home use, providing patients with a comfortable and convenient option.
- Syringe pumps and volumetric pumps are the primary types of home chemotherapy pumps, offering precise and programmable flow rates, as well as high accuracy for larger volumes.
- Home chemotherapy pumps come with safety features like pre-programmed infusion rates, alarms, and automatic priming of IV tubing, simplifying their use outside a clinical setting.
- Intralesional chemotherapy, one type of chemotherapy, involves injecting the drugs directly into the tumor through a needle, when it is safely reachable with a needle.
