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Chemotherapy & Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy treat your cancer with medicine. You may receive treatment through a pill you swallow. Or, a health care professional may send the medicine into a vein in your body, using a type of treatment called infusion therapy.
Feel confident knowing the Essentia nurse who gives you this treatment is certified in providing chemotherapy and immunotherapy. At many Essentia Health locations, you’ll find private, peaceful infusion rooms with amenities such as heated blankets and massage chairs.
Make an Appointment
Essentia Health Cancer Center (Duluth)
218-786-3625
Essentia Health Cancer Center (Fargo)
701-364-8910
Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Cancer Center (Brainerd)
218-828-3113
Essentia Health-Virginia Clinic
218-305-0000
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy destroys fast-growing cells in your body, especially cancer cells. Because chemotherapy affects parts of your body other than cancer tumors, you’ll experience some side effects. Take advantage of Essentia support services that make you feel better in body and mind.
Oral Chemotherapy
In the Fargo, North Dakota area and Duluth, Minnesota area, you may work with a special patient navigator who helps you manage oral chemotherapy medicine and its side effects. You’ll learn about:
- Oral Cancer Medicines
- Safety tips for using oral chemotherapy at home
- When to call your care team about side effects
- Financial information and programs
Intrathecal Chemotherapy
If cancer affects your central nervous system, you may get intrathecal chemotherapy. This approach delivers medicine through a spinal tap or under your scalp.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also called biotherapy, uses medicines to make your body’s natural defenses fight cancer. Some types of immunotherapy are targeted therapies. That means they focus on cancer-related cells and leave healthy cells alone.
You’ll notice fewer side effects with immunotherapy than with chemotherapy. You may get immunotherapy as part of a care plan that also includes chemotherapy or radiation.
Your doctor might recommend a checkpoint inhibitor, a type of immunotherapy that lets your immune system respond more strongly than usual. This treatment may help you if you have:
- Advanced bladder cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Kidney cancer
- Metastatic melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer
Specialty Pharmacy
Patient Education
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Cancer Care Services
Find expert, personalized cancer care services close to you through Essentia Health in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
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Oral Cancer Medicine
As part of your cancer treatment, you may be given cancer medicine that is taken by mouth. One type of oral cancer medicine is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is strong medicine used to treat cancer.
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Oral Chemo Safety Tips
Learn how to safely prepare, store, and dispose of your oral chemotherapy medicine. For caregivers, learn the proper precautions to take when caring for someone taking chemotherapy.
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Oral Cancer Medicine Side Effects
When taking oral cancer medicine, it's important to report any side effects to your health care team. You may need to stop treatment for a while or change your dose.
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Financial Aid For Oral Cancer Medicines
New chemotherapy drugs and supportive care medicines are now in pill form. They're more convenient for patients, but the cost can be high. Find out information about financial aid programs.