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Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy at UVM Cancer Center

Chemotherapy is a common treatment to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells or ease cancer symptoms. Your treatment plan may include one or more chemotherapy medications, alone or in combination with other cancer drugs or treatments.

At University of Vermont Health, we provide chemotherapy in a compassionate, supportive environment. Our experienced team provides ongoing monitoring and assistance at every step to help you feel better both physically and emotionally.

Why Choose UVM Health?

As one of the leading cancer programs in the region, we offer:

  • Expertise: Your care team includes physicians, advanced practice personnel, nurses and oncology pharmacists with deep expertise in managing chemotherapy treatment. As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physicians are active researchers and physician-leaders, many of whom train the next generation of experts.
  • Innovative treatments: Patients may be eligible to participate in clinical trials investigating new chemotherapy drugs, treatment regimens and combinations of treatments. Members of our cancer team are investigating whether chemotherapy injected directly into a tumor is more efficient than intravenous chemotherapy and how targeted therapies and immunotherapy can be combined with chemotherapy to improve treatment responses. We also have a robust history of research that has helped fine-tune strategies for managing chemotherapy side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
  • Convenience: Our network of providers gives you access to chemotherapy and other cancer services in clinic locations throughout Vermont and northern New York. Out of respect for your time, we coordinate appointments whenever possible, so you can see multiple experts on one day.

Treatments We Offer

At UVM Health, we offer all types of chemotherapy treatments. Your doctor may also combine chemotherapy with other therapies, including surgery or radiation therapy. This multi-treatment approach can help:

  • Destroy cancer cells that don’t respond to other treatments, have spread to other areas of your body or return after treatment (recur)
  • Enhance the effectiveness of other cancer treatments
  • Shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation therapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
  • Treat cancer cells that remain after surgery or radiation therapy (adjuvant chemotherapy)

You may receive chemotherapy drugs as intravenous (IV) infusions, pills, creams or injections. For certain cancers, doctors can also apply chemotherapy directly to internal tissues, such as inside the abdomen, chest cavity or bladder.

Your chemotherapy regimen will depend on the type of cancer and other treatments you will receive. Treatments may occur in a series or alternate with periods of rest. Your doctor will monitor your progress and side effects and may adjust your treatments as needed.

What to Expect

Chemotherapy appointments typically take several hours and start with a blood draw to determine the dose of chemotherapy and other medicines you will receive. You may visit with your care team to discuss your treatments and any concerns you have. Before we take you to the infusion area, you may have to wait while we prepare your chemotherapy medications and check them for accuracy.

When your chemotherapy is ready, you get settled in an infusion chair. Delivery of the medication may take a few hours. During this time, you can browse your phone, watch TV, read or nap. Your caregiver is welcome to sit with you. After your infusion, you may need to stay for a short time for observation before you can go home.

Modern Infusion Clinics

We have dedicated oncology infusion clinics staffed by oncology-certified nurses and advanced practice personnel. Our infusion centers feature a healing environment and amenities such as comfortable chairs, heated blankets, free food and drinks, massage therapy and more. For routine infusions, you receive care from a consistent team who gets to know you and your preferences.

Cancer Care

Clinical Trials 

The UVM Cancer Center supports more than 100 active clinical trials focused on prevention, screening, treatment, supportive care and survivorship.  

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Locations near you

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University of Vermont Medical Center

111 Colchester Ave
Burlington, VT 05401

802-847-0000

Golisano Children's Hospital

111 Colchester Ave
Burlington, VT 05401

802-847-0000

Central Vermont Medical Center

130 Fisher Road
Berlin, VT 05602

802-371-4100

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

75 Beekman Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

518-561-2000

Elizabethtown Community Hospital

75 Park Street
Elizabethtown, NY 12932

518-873-6377

Alice Hyde Medical Center

133 Park Street
Malone, NY 12953

518-483-3000

Porter Medical Center

115 Porter Drive
Middlebury, VT 05753

802-388-4701

Home Health & Hospice

1110 Prim Road
Colchester, VT 05446

802-658-1900

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