The Systemic Therapy Suite supports our patients and their families through their cancer treatment. We provide chemotherapy, biotherapy, immunotherapy, and supportive treatment.
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What to expect at the Systemic Therapy Suite
Please arrive on time for your appointment.
Blood work is required before each treatment. Your blood work needs to be done one or two days before your systemic therapy appointment. You can have your blood work done in the Cancer Centre.
Before your treatment, please make sure that you have taken all prescribed pre-medications. The nurse will ask you questions about your symptoms and side effects and they will check your weight. The nurse will review the physicians order and request your treatment be prepared.
Preparing the drugs
A pharmacist will review the order entered by your oncologist and the pharmacy technician will prepare your drugs. Preparing your drug order can take a while. The technicians must make sure that they prepare your treatment drugs accurately, exactly as the doctor ordered.
After the drugs have been prepared, the pharmacist checks it and compares it to the order to make sure it is correct. A registered nurse will administer your systemic therapy.
The nurse will provide you with detailed information on your first treatment day. An oncology pharmacist will review your regimen with you, common side effects, and medications prescribed by the physician. A medication chart will be created for you to use.
What to bring to your appointment
Please bring the following to your appointment:
- Health card
- All medications, including over-the-counter drugs.
- A snack
- People with diabetes should bring a snack or meal, insulin, and related supplies
- A book or other reading materials
Please note that we do our best to stay on time, however, your appointment may be delayed by unforeseen circumstances. We recommend that you come prepared for delays. For example, please make sure that you have arrangements for things like babysitting, elder care, and parking to accommodate for a longer than usual appointment.
In order for the clinic to run efficiently, we may not be able to accommodate requests for morning appointments from patients with shorter treatment times.
Chemotherapy start times and days may also vary from one treatment to the next depending on clinic availability.
Visitors to the Systemic Therapy Suite
You may bring your spouse or a friend for support. You are allowed one visitor in the treatment area. On occasion, we may ask visitors to step out for a minute. Due to the length of time required at the clinic, please make arrangements for child care as needed.
Children under 12 should not be in the clinic. Children and pregnant women are not permitted in the systemic treatment area.
Discharge from the Systemic Therapy Suite
Upon discharge, please ensure you have your next appointment time and any prescriptions.
While at home, if you experience any of the symptoms listed below, please call the nurse navigator during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Outside of regular business hours, please call the symptom management hotline at 1-877-681-3057. For urgent matters, please go to your nearest emergency department.
- Fever higher than 100.4°F or 38°C
- Breathing problems
- Increased pain
- Vomiting lasting more than 24 hours
- Diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
- Constipation lasting for 72 hours not relieved with laxative
- Confusion and increased sleepiness
- New pain especially in the spine
- Prolonged bleeding from any source
- Loss of feeling or movement in the arms or legs, especially if you have trouble emptying your bladder
These videos contain a brief introduction to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
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Treating and caring for people with cancer takes a well-coordinated team. Your Systemic Therapy Suite team consists of dedicated health care professionals working together for you and with you.
A dedicated team of medical oncologists, haematologists, registered nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, registered dietitians, social workers, spiritual health workers, and volunteers will care for you and help you and your family.
The medical oncologists and haematologists are cancer doctors who specialize in using drugs to treat cancer. They determine what medications you need for chemotherapy, plan the course of your chemotherapy treatment, and examine you to ensure that chemotherapy is working.
If you require operation or radiation therapy, the medical oncologist will refer you to a surgeon or radiation oncologist.
Systemic therapy nurses are registered nurses who specialize in the care of people with cancer. They are professionals who provide you with information about the chemotherapy you receive and possible side effects, contact information for support groups and services in the hospital and in the community, the safe administration of your treatment in the Systemic Therapy Suite, and care and assistance, including pain and symptom management, during your treatment sessions.
All nurses who work in the Systemic Therapy Suite are chemotherapy certified.