Pediatric home chemotherapy: infusing "quality of life"

Abstract

A pediatric home chemotherapy program is described that has operated as part of the pediatric oncology services at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore since 2004. Currently the chemotherapy regimens include high-dose methotrexate; 5-day high-dose ifosfamide and etoposide; cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine; ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide; and cisplatin and doxorubicin. The pediatric hematology/oncology program provides care to children with blood disorders and cancer of Bronx, NY, and surrounding areas. By providing patients receiving chemotherapy treatment with this special type of home infusion capability, the child and his or her family are able to spend more time at home and have less disruption in their family schedule.