If you have been diagnosed with cancer, then one of the big steps you'll likely take in the coming weeks is to work with your doctors to devise a custom treatment plan. These days, many of the medications and compounds used to treat cancer are delivered via infusions. In other words, you will visit your doctor's office or an IV treatment center and relax for an hour or two while the medication is infused into your bloodstream. Every patient is different and every type of cancer is different. However, it is quite common for patients to be given one or more of these infusion treatments after being diagnosed with cancer.

Chemotherapy

This is likely the best-known infused cancer treatment option. Chemotherapy medications are basically poisonous to your body's cells. However, they are far harder on cancer cells than on healthy cells. So, when you have an infusion of a chemotherapy medication, the cancer cells tend to be harmed beyond recovery, while your body's cells are able to recover from the damage they suffer in the process. The side effects of chemotherapy can be quite unpleasant and include hair loss and nausea. Most people need several chemotherapy infusions before their cancer is considered "in remission." In spite of the side effects of chemotherapy, it is very effective at treating many different cancers and is often the backbone of a patient's treatment plan.

IVIG

IVIG stands for intravenous immunoglobulin. It is basically antibodies that are infused into your bloodstream. Treatment with IVIG is often known as immunotherapy and is common in the treatment of cancers that affect the immune system, bloodstream, and bone marrow. The antibodies that are infused into your bloodstream help your body fight off the cancer cells. They can also help alleviate cancer symptoms such as inflammation and exhaustion. Most patients need several IVIG infusion sessions for full treatment.

Vitamin C

Administering large doses of vitamin C via an IV is a less-common cancer treatment that may be used when options like chemotherapy are deemed to be too dangerous for the patient. Vitamin C may help directly kill cancer cells, and it may also help bolster your body's own immune system to fight off cancer cells. Some consider this an "alternative" treatment for cancer, but it does have quite a lot of support in certain circles, so it's worth discussing with your doctor.

Now you should have a better idea of what to expect if your doctor recommends infused medications for the treatment of your cancer. Reach out to a local clinic, such as IV Lounge, to learn more.