Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies

Over the years the types of treatment that we use to treat cancer have grown and developed from, just traditional chemotherapy to include more targeted therapies and immunotherapy, these therapies are known as Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies (SACT), all of which are delivered by our chemotherapy areas. 

Traditional chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment where medicine is used to control the growth of cancer cells. It does this by damaging them so they cannot multiply and spread. Targeted therapy treats cancer by targeting the way cancers grow and divide. Immunotherapy encourages the body’s immune system to  recognise and fight cancer. SACT can be given most commonly through an intravenous (in the vein), an injection under the skin, or oral (tablet) route. There are other routes that SACT can be given but these are not discussed here. SACT can be given to prepare patients for surgery or after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence or to control the spread of the cancer. The type of treatment you receive and the aim of your treatment will be guided by your oncologist (doctor specialising in cancer treatment). 

We offer a SACT service at City Hospital and at King’s Mill Hospital. Our multi-disciplinary team of oncologists, pharmacists and chemotherapy nurses are highly trained and aim to provide treatment based on national and international guidelines and follow best practice.

The chemotherapy suite at Nottingham City Hospital and the oncology satellite unit at King’s Mill Hospital offer day case Systemic Anti-Cancer treatment, where patients do not have to stay in hospital overnight. If you are required to stay in hospital overnight for treatment, your oncology team will inform you when you are in clinic and organise for this to happen.

The chemotherapy team is made up of: Chemotherapy nurses, Chemotherapy Manager, Administrative team and Pharmacists.