Chemotherapy-Induced Extravasation Injury: Classification and Management

Abstract

Chemotherapy is a category of medicines that are utilized to kill and eradicate immediately the abnormally growing cells in the body. It is commonly utilized to treat cancer because cancer cells grow and divide at a faster rate than other cells. Extravasation is the mechanism by which any liquid (fluid or drug) accidentally enters the surrounding tissue. Extravasation in cancer treatment indicates the unintentional chemotherapy infiltration into the subdermal tissues or subcutaneous enclosing the intravenous or intra-arterial location of administration. Extravasated agents are categorized as vesicants, exfoliants, irritants, inflammators, and neutrals. Based on their potential for causing harm, management of chemotherapy-related extravasation includes both non-pharmacological treatment and pharmacological treatment.