Care After Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy
What to expect and how to care for your child after intra-arterial chemotherapy.
What is Intra-arterial Chemotherapy?
Intra-arterial chemotherapy is given to treat your child’s retinoblastoma. The chemotherapy is given through a thin plastic tube, called a catheter. This is done through a small cut (incision) in the skin, usually near the groin. The catheter is guided to the affected eye where it delivers the chemotherapy medicine.
What should the puncture site look like?
Your child will have a bandage or pressure dressing over the puncture site near the groin. The bandage will help protect the wound from bleeding. Your child may have bruising and or a small bump where the catheter was placed. This is normal and will get better over 1 to 3 weeks.
Watch for bleeding from the puncture site or under the skin. Bleeding under the skin causes swelling or firmness under the puncture site. If your child has bleeding from the puncture site, hold firm pressure to the area for 20 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, call 911 and keep holding pressure until help arrives.
How do I care for the puncture site?
- Your child can have a shower or short bath 1 day (24 hours) after the procedure. Sponge baths are OK.
- Your child should avoid long baths, hot tubs, swimming pools and submersion of the puncture site for 2 days (48 hours).
- You may remove the dressing the day after the procedure. You can put a Band-Aid on the site for comfort after the pressure dressing is removed.
- After the bandage or dressing is removed, the puncture site can be gently cleaned with warm water and mild soap. Dry the puncture site completely.
What should the eye look like?
- Your child may have some swelling (puffiness), redness, or mild pain around the eye. This is normal and should resolve in less than 2 weeks.
- If your child has lots of discomfort or severe redness of the eye, call your oncologist.
Will my child have discomfort?
Your child may have some mild nausea and vomiting. Your child may also have some discomfort at the puncture site or in the affected eye. You may give your child pain medicine recommended by your health care provider. Check with your doctor first before giving any type of medicine to your child.
When can my child return to normal activity?
- Your child should do quiet activity such as reading, watching movies, or playing quiet games for the first day after the procedure.
- Usually, your child may return to school in 1 to 2 days after the procedure.
- Your child should avoid strenuous activity (such as running, playing sports, swimming, playgrounds, or bicycling) and physical education for 5 to 7 days after the procedure.
- Strenuous activity should be avoided for 1 month if your child has a stent or device placed during the procedure.
When should I call the doctor?
Call your doctor if your child has any of these symptoms in the days after the procedure:
- Fever of 100.7° F or 38.2° C (by mouth or under the arm)
- Dizziness or fainting
- Severe headache
- Drainage, swelling or redness at the puncture site
- Increased limping or pain at the puncture site
- If your child has pain not relieved by the medicine prescribed
- Severe redness or pain of the eye
- During business hours - call your oncologist at 206-987-2106
- After hours - call the hospital operator at 206-987-2000 or 866-987-2000 and ask for the oncology fellow on call.
To Learn More
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
206-987-2106 - Ask your child’s healthcare provider
- seattlechildrens.org/patient-education
Free Interpreter Services
- In the hospital, ask your nurse.
- From outside the hospital, call the toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need.
