Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is drug therapy that can stop cancer cells in your body from multiplying. The course of therapy will depend on the type of cancer, the chemotherapy drugs used, the treatment goal and how your body responds. Chemotherapy treatment may be needed every day, every week or every month. There may be breaks between treatments to give your body a chance to build new, healthy cells.

More than 100 chemotherapy drugs are used in many combinations in order to achieve the most successful outcome. You and your physician will decide what drug or combinations of drugs are needed. This will depend on the type of cancer, where it is located, how big it is, how fast it is growing, whether it has spread to other areas.

Chemotherapy side effects

During chemotherapy you may have no side effects or just a few. Side effects vary, but common ones are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Tiredness

• Pain

• Hair loss

Chemotherapy service

Chemotherapy is often used along with other treatments including radiation therapy, surgery or both. Your physician will determine what is the best combination for your needs.

Vidant Medical Center offers outpatient chemotherapy in a new, state-of-the-art Outpatient Infusion Center on 1East, on the first floor of Vidant Medical Center. You may park in the hospital visitor’s lot or take advantage of the valet parking service at the admissions entrance. If you are being seen in the Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center, you may park there, and we will transport you to 1East for your chemotherapy treatment.

The staff of the Outpatient Infusion Center has been specially trained. Many nurses hold advanced certification in cancer care and all have significant experience with chemotherapy and/or infusion therapy. They are well-versed in the growing number of clinical trials we offer here. Best of all, they are dedicated to offering care that is sensitive and responsive to your needs.

For your comfort and convenience

The Outpatient Infusion Center is a spacious suite outfitted with comfortable loungers. It is large enough for patients to have up to two visitors. Children are welcome to visit as long as they do not have an infectious illness. Private rooms are available for pediatric patients and for adults needing special accommodations.

Capacity has been increased to accommodate 44 patients at once. In addition, operating hours have been extended from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday.

Accreditation

Vidant Medical Center’s cancer program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

About your bill

Chemotherapy services are billed by Vidant Medical Center. You may also receive bills from your physicians or from the Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center for any services provided there. For information about a VIDANT MEDICAL CENTER bill, visit www.vidanthealth.com/billing.

To schedule an appointment, call 252-847-4137. To speak with a nurse, call 252-847-4114.