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Chemotherapy Drugs
Methods to Administer Chemotherapy Drugs

By Lisa Fayed, About.com

Updated: August 22, 2005

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There are many methods that chemotherapy can be administered. Ways to give chemotherapy regimens include:

  • Orally- To be taken by mouth and normally a pill form, although liquids are available

  • Intravenous (IV)- Injected into a vein

  • Topical– To be applied to the skin, and is in the form of a cream or lotion

  • Intramuscular (IM)- The drug is injected into a muscle

  • Intra-arterial– The drug in injected into an artery

  • Intrapleural– Infusion into the chest cavity

  • Intrathecal– Infusion into the central nervous system through cerebrospinal fluid

  • Subcutaneous– The drug is injected under the skin

  • Intraperitoneal– Infusion into the abdominal cavity

  • Intratumoral–Injection into the tumor

  • Intralesional- Injection into the tumor

  • Intravesical- Infusion into the bladder

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