- They have direct access back to their Principal Treatment Centre, Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) or shared care centre 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
- They are at risk of life-threatening infection (sepsis), so parents / carers are advised to phone their treatment centre immediately if their child is has a fever (pyrexial) (>38oC), or if they are unwell in any way. The Oncology/Haematology Telephone Triage Tool Kit for Children and Young People has been developed as a guideline for the provision of triage assessment and advice for staff answering telephone advice line calls
- They should not receive any vaccines, with the exception of the (inactivated) Flu vaccine throughout their treatment and for six months after. Once they have been off treatment for six months, they should receive boosters as per the vaccination programme. For those patients who receive high dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue, vaccinations should not be given until 12 months after completing treatment.
- They must not receive any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac, unless discussed with their oncology team.
- They must not receive any rectal medications or have a rectal examination.
- Depending on their diagnosis, they may be eligible to be part of a clinical trial, which may be local, national, Europe-wide or international. Participation is completely voluntary and will be discussed in detail by the medical and nursing team.
- Chemotherapy cycles vary depending on the diagnosis and treatment plan. They may be given as an inpatient or a day patient. Most patients are able to go home between cycles but this does depend on a number of factors.
- All patients have a Paediatric Oncology Outreach Nurse Specialist (Key Worker) who is contactable via their centre – please contact them with any queries you may have.
- There is usually weekly contact with their centre, shared care hospital or a named health professional throughout the treatment.
- For the majority of children and young people we hope and encourage them to attend school throughout their treatment, whenever they are well enough.