Question 1

Chemotherapy

Accepted Answer

How to prepare Your chemotherapy schedule will depend on the type and stage of your cancer and the goal of your treatment. Chemotherapy can be delivered through various ways: injection (shot in a muscle or under the skin in the fat), directly into the artery (intra-arterial), directly into the area containing the organs such as stomach, liver, ovaries (intraperitoneal), directly into a vein (intravenous (IV)), tablets, pills, capsules or liquids (orally) or as a cream that you rub on your skin (topical). You can prepare for your chemotherapy by: Asking your family and friends to help you with arranging meals, taking care of your children and your home chores. Planning your time so you can rest on the day of and the day after chemotherapy. What to expect Chemotherapy affects patients in different ways, depending on how healthy you are before treatment, the type and stage of your cancer, the kind of chemotherapy and the dose you are getting. Some people do not feel well right after chemotherapy. The most common side effect is feeling exhausted, tired and worn out. ​

Question 2

Radiation Therapy

Accepted Answer

How to prepare Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high-energy waves to kill the cancer cells. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. Your Radiation therapy schedule will depend on the type and stage of your cancer. Your radiation therapy team will take you through a planning process to determine that the radiation being given reaches the precise spot in your body where it's needed and you find a comfortable position during your therapy. When you come for radiation therapy, you will be expected to lie on a table whilst the machine (linear accelerator) moves around you to deliver radiation from several angles. You must lie still. You may hear a buzzing sound. Each radiation therapy session may last from 10-30 minutes. Our medical team will be able to observe and communicate with you from a room right outside the radiation therapy room. You should speak up if you feel uncomfortable or any sort of pain. What to expect Radiation therapy affects patients in different ways, depending on how healthy you are before treatment, the type and stage of your cancer, and the kind of therapy and the dose you are getting. The most common side effect is feeling exhausted, tired and worn out.

Question 3

Blood Transfusion

Accepted Answer

How to prepare Blood transfusions are provided to our cancer patients as well as patients with other blood disorders such as thalassemia. Your blood will first be tested to determine your blood type (A, B, AB or O) to ensure that you are compatible with the blood you are given. What to expect You will be comfortably seated or made to lie down for the procedure. The blood transfusion can take from 1-4 hours, depending on which parts of the blood you receive and how much blood you need. Before the transfusion begins, we do an identification check to ensure that you are being given the correct blood. Then an IV (intravenous) line with a needle is inserted into one of your blood vessels. The donated blood that's been stored in a plastic bag enters your bloodstream through the IV line. You will be monitored throughout the procedure. Please alert your nurse immediately if you feel: Fever Shortness of breath Pain at the site of transfusion Chills Unusual itching A sense of uneasiness The needle and IV line will be removed. You may develop a small bruise around the IV site, but this should go away with time. ​

Question 4

Location

Accepted Answer

Ibn Zuhr Building, Main Hospital Campus The Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, Karachi Telephone: (+92) 21 3486 1814 (+92) 21 3486 1815