Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancerous cells. There are more than 50 different chemotherapy drugs available and a variety of regimes. Chemotherapy and similar drugs are chosen dependent on the specific type of tumour they are treating.
Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly dividing cells, and this is partly responsible for some of the side effects. Your consultant and the chemotherapy nurses will discuss expected side effects with you prior to your treatment. Further information can be found here.
Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital
Our Chemotherapy unit is based on the Basing Unit, F Floor in the Hospital main building. We have two multi-patient chemotherapy treatment rooms which can accomodate 17 patient's at one time.
The Basing Unit is also where all consultant outpatient appointments take place and is located next to our inpatient unit on Wessex Ward.
Royal Hampshire County Hospital
Winchester Chemotherapy unit is based on Nick Jonas ward, Brinton Wing in the Hospital main building. Nick Jonas ward provides patient's with two treatment rooms, accomodating 9 patients at one time.
All consultant outpatient appointment also take place on Nick Jonas ward.
CALL IMMEDIATELY FOR ADVICE
HHFT Macmillan 24/7 Chemotherapy Advice Line - 07920 210289
We need to treat any patient who is undergoing cancer treatment and becomes unwell as soon as possible. If you have any of the following:
- A temperature of 38°C (100°F) or above
- A persistent temperature above 37.6°C (for more than four hours)
- Shivering, uncontrollable shaking or flu-like symptoms
- Gums or nose bleeds
- Unusual bruising
- Mouth ulcers that stop you eating or drinking
- Persistent vomiting and diarrhoea (more than four times a day)
- Difficulty breathing
- Marked or prolonged dizzy spell.
