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PATIENT EDUCATION
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Chemotherapy Complications
Chemotherapy drugs are given into a vein. Some medicines can cause
problems if they leak from the vein or IV catheter into the surrounding
tissues. This leakage can happen for several reasons.

Thin and fragile veins from frequent injections

Previous intravenous treatments

History of peripheral vascular disease

A limited number of veins where the IV can be placed due to skin
changes from radiation treatments or a condition called lymphedema
(permanent swelling of the arm)
What is infiltration?
Chemotherapy can be given directly into the bloodstream through a
needle or catheter placed into a vein in your arm (intravenous or IV). It
can also be given through a central venous catheter (implanted port or
external chest catheter). If a nonvesicant or irritant drug leaks out of the
vein into the tissue and skin, it is called infiltration.
How can infiltration occur?
Infiltration is rare. There are a few ways that infiltration can occur.

The needle or catheter that is in your arm can slip out of the vein

The needle from an implanted port can slip out

The external chest catheter can slip out
This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care
team if you have any questions about your care.
© October 11, 2012. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and
Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
How is infiltration treated?
It is treated by removing the intravenous needle or catheter and
elevating the affected limb so that the collected fluids can drain away.
Infiltration is usually not serious unless the chemotherapy medicine
being given is a vesicant. Information on this complication called
extravasation is described below.
What is extravasation?
Extravasation occurs when a drug leaks into the surrounding tissue
rather going into the vein. Some chemotherapy medicines are called
vesicants. A vesicant drug can potentially cause serious tissue damage
if it leaks from the vein into surrounding tissues. This damage can range
in severity, depending on the drug that has leaked into the surrounding
tissue. It can cause a painful ulcer or sore. If the damage is not treated,
the sore may not heal. It may get worse. You must notify your doctor
or nurse if you see any damage to the skin near where the IV needle
was placed to give your chemotherapy or where your central venous
catheter is located.
How is extravasation treated?
Treatment depends on which drug leaked out of your veins and into
your tissues. Your nurse knows which drugs cause damage and how to
treat the damage when it happens. Medicines (antidotes), warm packs,
cold packs, and/or propping your arm up on pillows may be used to treat
the extravasation. Your nurse will explain the treatment to you. Follow
the instructions from your nurse carefully.
Tell your nurse if you have any of these signs:
Signs and symptoms can happen when you are getting your
chemotherapy or several days later. You should tell your nurse right
away if you have any of these signs at or near the IV site:

Pain, burning, or stinging

Redness

Swelling
Chemotherapy Complications

Changes to your skin

Any type of discomfort

Any other unusual feelings
The earlier this problem is found and stopped, the lower the risk of
complications or damage caused by the drug leaking into the tissue.
Chemotherapy Complications