Introduction: Background Information on Chemotherapy Delivery
摘要
As cancer incidence continues to rise globally, alongside improvements in treatment outcomes, the demand for oncology—and particularly chemotherapy—services is increasing rapidly. This growing demand underscores the importance of effective scheduling, especially in outpatient chemotherapy units. In this chapter, we first provide background information on the prevalence of cancer and its treatment, followed by an overview of the different types of chemotherapy and their modes of administration. We then introduce the concept of chemotherapy regimens and their role in structuring treatment cycles. Next, we outline the patient flow during a typical chemotherapy visit in an outpatient setting, highlighting each step of the treatment delivery process. Finally, we examine the critical resources involved in chemotherapy care and their roles in treatment process.