Your 5fu and Mitomycin Chemotherapy and Radiation Schedule

For patients who have anal canal cancer

Read this resource to learn:Where to go for each appointment ..........................................................2What you need to do during chemotherapy and radiation ...................3Who to contact if you have questions ......................................................13

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre610 University AvenueToronto, ONM5G 2M9

For chemotherapy appointment questions: 416 946 2868, press 1For radiation appointment questions: 416 946 2000 extension 2172 or 2187Chemotherapy website: www.chemotherapy.theprincessmargaret.caRadiation therapy website: www.whattoexpectRT.theprincessmargaret.ca

Your 1st day of chemotherapy and radiation is:

Form: D-5988

2

Where to go for your appointments

Where do I go to flush or draw blood from my PICC line?Ambulance Waiting Area, Main lobby (behind the main elevators)Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Where do I go for my chemotherapy?Chemotherapy and Transfusion Centre, 4th floorPrincess Margaret Cancer Centre

Where do I go for my radiation appointment?Radiation Therapy Centre, Level 2BPrincess Margaret Cancer Centre

Where do I go for my planning CT scan appointment?Radiation Therapy Centre, Level 1BPrincess Margaret Cancer Centre

Where do I go to get my PICC line put in?Medical Imaging, 1st floorToronto General Hospital

Where is the pharmacy?Out-Patient Pharmacy, Main lobby (beside the Blood Collection Lab)Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

You can use the Princess Margaret Outpatient Pharmacy or a pharmacy near you. If you plan on going to another pharmacy, give them your prescription as early as possible. They may not have all the cancer-related medicine in stock.

3

The week before your treatment starts

During this week, your health care team with help you prepare for treatment.

Check your appointment schedules for exact times and locations:Pick up 2 printed lists with the exact times and dates for your appointments. You will get a new list of radiation appointments from the Radiation Therapy Centre receptionist every week. You will get the rest of your clinic appointments from the Gastrointestinal Clinic receptionist. Your clinic appointments list should include appointments up to Week 4.

Pick up your medicine from the pharmacy:Go to the Princess Margaret pharmacy to pick up your prochlorperazine (Stemetil®) prescription. Go at least 2 days before your 1st treatment appointment. If you choose to use your local pharmacy, go as early as possible. They may not have cancer-related medicines in stock.

Go to your doctor’s appointments:This week you will have 2 appointments:

• 1 with your radiation oncologist (radiation cancer doctor)

• 1 with your medical oncologist (chemotherapy cancer doctor)

Get a blood test:Do this at least 2 hours before your medical oncologist appointment.

Go to your planning computed tomography (CT) scan appointment:This will help prepare you for your radiation treatment.

Go to your peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line insertion appointment:You will be getting your chemotherapy through this PICC line.

4

Week 1

Check your appointment schedules for exact times and locations:Pick up your weekly list of radiation times and dates from your radiation therapist. Refer to this list and your Gastrointestinal Clinic list for the exact times and dates for your appointments. Your chemotherapy appointment may be after your radiation appointment.

Go to your doctor’s appointment:This week you will have 1 appointment with your radiation oncologist (radiation cancer doctor).

Monday

1. Take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®) 30 minutes before your chemotherapy appointment. Confirm your chemotherapy appointment time with the receptionist before you take them. This is an anti-nausea medicine. You can keep taking this medicine every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your chemotherapy appointment. Your appointment will last 1 to 2 hours. First you will get a medicine called mitomycin through your PICC line. Then the nurse will give you a bag to wear on your hips (fanny pack). You will be carrying medicine called 5fu in this bag until Friday. Confirm with your nurse the time for your chemotherapy appointment the next day.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

5

Tuesday to Thursday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take Stemetil® (prochlorperazine). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your chemotherapy appointment. Your appointment will last for 1 hour. You will be given a new bag of 5fu. You will carry this in your hip bag (fanny pack) until your next appointment. Confirm with your nurse the time for your chemotherapy appointment the next day.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

Friday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take Stemetil® (prochlorperazine). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your chemotherapy appointment. Your appointment will last for 15 to 30 minutes. The nurse will take the bag and hip bag (fanny pack) off for you. Your PICC line will stay in.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

6

Week 2

Check your appointment schedules for exact times and locations:Pick up your weekly list of radiation times and dates from your radiation therapist. Refer to this list and your Gastrointestinal Clinic list for the exact times and dates for your appointments.

Go to your doctor’s appointment:This week you will have 1 appointment with your radiation oncologist (radiation cancer doctor).

Monday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take Stemetil® (prochlorperazine). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to the Ambulance Waiting Area to get your PICC line flushed.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

7

Week 3

Check your appointment schedules for exact times and locations:Pick up your weekly list of radiation times and dates from your radiation therapist. Refer to this list and your Gastrointestinal Clinic list for the exact times and dates for your appointments.

Go to your doctor’s appointment:This week you will have 1 appointment with your radiation oncologist (radiation cancer doctor).

Monday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to the Ambulance Waiting Area to get your PICC line flushed.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

Tuesday to Friday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take Stemetil® (prochlorperazine). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

8

Week 4

Check your appointment schedules for exact times and locations:Pick up 2 new printed lists with the exact times and dates for your appointments. You will get your radiation appointments from the radiation therapist. You will get the rest of your clinic appointments from the Gastrointestinal Clinic receptionist.

Go to your doctor’s appointment:This week you will have 2 appointments:• 1 with your radiation oncologist (radiation cancer doctor)• 1 with your medical oncologist (chemotherapy cancer doctor).

Get a blood test:Do this at least 2 hours before your medical oncologist appointment.

Monday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to the Ambulance Waiting Area to get your PICC line flushed.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

Tuesday to Friday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

9

Week 5

Your chemotherapy may be delayed if your blood counts are too low. This will depend on the results of your blood test in Week 4. Your medical oncologist (chemotherapy cancer doctor) will talk to you about this.

Check your appointment schedules for exact times and locations:Pick up your weekly list of radiation times and dates from your radiation therapist. Refer to this list and your Gastrointestinal Clinic list for the exact times and dates for your appointments. Your chemotherapy appointment may be after your radiation appointment..

Go to your doctor’s appointment:This week you will have 1 appointment with your radiation oncologist (radiation cancer doctor).

Monday

1. Take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®) 30 minutes before your chemotherapy appointment. Confirm your chemotherapy appointment time with the receptionist before you take them. You can keep taking this medicine every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your chemotherapy appointment. Your appointment will last 1 to 2 hours. First you will get a medicine called mitomycin through your PICC line. Then the nurse will give you a bag to wear on your hips (fanny pack). You will be carrying medicine called 5fu in this bag until Friday. Confirm with your nurse the time for your chemotherapy appointment the next day.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

10

Tuesday to Thursday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your chemotherapy appointment. Your appointment will last for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You will be given a new bag of 5fu. You will carry this in your hip bag (fanny pack) until your next appointment. Confirm with your nurse the time for your chemotherapy appointment the next day.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

Friday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your chemotherapy appointment. Your appointment will last for 1 hour. First the nurse will take the bag off for you. Then they will take the PICC line out of your arm.

3. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

11

Week 6 (does not apply to everyone)

Your doctor will tell you if you need treatment on week 6.

Check your appointment schedules for exact times and locations:Pick up your weekly list of radiation times and dates from your radiation therapist. Refer to this list and your Gastrointestinal Clinic list for the exact times and dates for your appointments.

Go to your doctor’s appointment:This week you will have 1 appointment with your radiation oncologist (radiation cancer doctor).

Monday to Friday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

12

Week 7 (does not apply to everyone)

Your doctor will tell you if you need treatment on week 6.

Check your appointment schedules for exact times and locations:Pick up your weekly list of radiation times and dates from your radiation therapist. Refer to this list and your Gastrointestinal Clinic list for the exact times and dates for your appointments.

Go to your doctor’s appointment:If you have treatment this week, you will also have 1 appointment with your radiation oncologist (radiation cancer doctor).

Monday to Friday

1. If you are feeling nauseous, take prochlorperazine (Stemetil®). Take this every 6 hours, as needed.

2. Go to your radiation therapy appointment. This appointment will last about 1 hour.

13

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Appointment times and datesChemotherapy and medical oncologistGastrointestinal Clinic ReceptionPhone: 416 946 2868, press 1

Radiation therapy and radiation oncologistRadiation ReceptionPhone: 416 946 2000 extension 2172 or 2187

Treatment and careAll treatment and care (weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm)Gastrointestinal Clinic Nursing TriagePhone: 416 946 2868, press 2

All treatment and care (weekends and holidays)Nursing SupervisorPhone: 416 946 4501Ask to speak to the Nursing Supervisor

Radiation treatment only (weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm)Radiation Nursing ClinicLevel 2B

How to take your medicinePharmacy Triage LinePhone: 416 946 4501 extension 3345A pharmacist will return your call within 72 hours.

How to pick up your medicine prescriptions (weekdays 9:00 am to 5:30 pm)Outpatient PharmacyPhone: 416 946 6593

14

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