Extravasation symptoms can vary by the types of drugs used.
What Is Irritant Extravasation?
Certain drugs in chemotherapy are classified as irritants because they can cause temporary, superficial injury to tissues.
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These drugs are also sometimes referred to as non-vesicants.
Some skin types are also more sensitive than others.
The treatment may involve mild pain killers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) andcold compressesto help reduce localinflammation.
The terminfiltrationis sometimes used rather thanextravasationwhen an irritant chemotherapy drug is involved.
What Is Vesicant Extravasation?
Vesicants are drugs that have the potential to cause serious tissue damage if they leak.
In this case, the inflammation and discomfort at the IV site will be more noticeable.
Some of the signs of extravasation may not be visible until several hours or days after the leakage.
People with skin necrosis usually have a high fever and are in intense pain.
If not treated aggressively withantibioticsand thesurgical removal of dead tissue, limb amputation may be needed.
Death is also possible.
It should be administered within six hours of an extravasation accident.
Preventing Chemotherapy Extravasation
Althoughoncologynurses are trained in administering chemotherapy drugs, accidents can and do occur.
Extravasations from CVCs, while still a possibility, are exceedingly rare.
A Word From Verywell
Chemotherapy extravasation is relatively uncommon.
And, while every measure is taken to prevent an accident, they still do occur.
As such, never hesitate to speak up if any part of your chemo infusion feels odd or uncomfortable.
A rapid response is the best way to avoid injury if and when an extravasation accident occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the chemotherapy drug used.
Even so, some people apply the termextravasationto both irritant and vesicant drugs.
The drug is given intravenously (into a vein) over one or two hours.
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