Understanding chemotherapy - Macmillan Cancer

Understanding chemotherapyInto the bladder This may be done to treat early bladdercancer. Liquid chemotherapy drugs are given directly into thebladder through a catheter, which is removed when it’s over.Our booklet Understanding early (superficial) bladder cancerhas more information.Into the abdominal cavity (intraperitoneal chemotherapy)This is very occasionally used to treat ovarian cancer andthere’s more information in our booklet Understanding cancerof the ovary. It may also be used to treat mesothelioma in theabdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).Between the two layers of the pleura (tissue that coversthe outside of the lungs) Chemotherapy is sometimes putin between the two layers of the pleura to treat cancer cellsthat have spread there.Into a limb (isolated limb perfusion) Chemotherapy isvery occasionally given directly into the blood vessels in a limb.This is to treat a skin cancer called melanoma that has comeback. We have a fact sheet about this type of treatment.Chemotherapy creamsChemotherapy creams are used to treat some types of skincancer. You put the cream on the affected skin in a thin layerand cover the area with a dressing. Your specialist nurse orpharmacist will show you how to do this and will explain howoften you need to apply the cream. Although the cream canirritate the skin in the area or make it sore, it won’t cause sideeffects in other parts of the body.40