How Long Does a Weekly Chemo Cycle Take?

I THINK it will depend on your Dr prescribed treatment plan. I started my treatments home Tuesday, March 4. I had to go to labs first, then a visit with the doctor and then they put the saline in my port and then the tax Terry and satin all in all. I was there from nine till about 2:30. Two days out now, I am taking all my meds, relaxing, pretty close to being lazy. I feel good have had no side effects. The worst part is the soreness at the port. I hope your treatments are as good as mine was but I have three more to go so we will see. I can see spring coming and that is a great encouragement for me. Heidi, I pray that yours your treatment goes well. 🙏✝️ Philippians 4:13

My diagnosis was TNBC, two tumor stage two A and B.

I think that depends on how your oncologist sets it up. Mine has me come day before treatment for bloodwork so he can make any necessary adjustments if needed. Then I do treatment next morning usually starting not later than 8:30…then it’s premeds and 30 min later they start chemo that takes about an hour, then flush the port line and I’m out by 10:00-30 at latest. Hope this helps you.

Heidi, My blood work was completed a few days before my chemo, evaluating dose needs and pre meds. My weekly chemo lasted three months, and because of an aggressive TNBC, aggressive doses of Carbo and Taxol that lasted 4 to 5 hours, and followed by 3 months of 2 week treatments of Adriamycin and Cytoxan. Meds worked well to clear the cancer and I had surgery again a month later to clear the remaining nodal area, now benign. I still followed up with 3 months of Xeloda as oral chemo, and 3 weeks of radiation, even though I had double mastectomies. I’m now on a PARP inhibitor, Lynparza, to fight my BRCA gene. This is a journey but stay positive and do as the providers recommend. Best wishes and prayers. 🙏

I do labs, then Dr, then chemo.. I find that once I get to chemo it’s like 20-30 mins waiting on my pre meds, 45 mins for pre meds, 30 min wait, 60 mins taxol, 45 carbo.. so about 3 - 3.5 hours in infusion room.. with labs and dr 4.5-5 hours total Im there.

Thanks for the replies! I had my first chemo today. It was 30 minutes for set up & premeds 30 minutes for the immunotherapy Keytruda (not sure of the spelling) I get this every 3 weeks 60 mins of Toxol 60 mins of Carbo All in all, it lasted from 9am to 1 pm. I got labs and office visit the day hefore. I will do this for 12 weeks, then go to other meds once every 3 weeks.

I was TNBC Stage 2B. The weekly treatments took me about 1.5-2.5 hours.

I am prescribed Taxatere and Cytoxan every 21 days. Some people question why I’m not going weekly or even daily; maybe I’m on maintenance?? Im not familiar with other treatment options. Is it usual to have chemo weekly? I just know that I’m following my Oncologist Treatment Plan bc she has more education on these drugs and interactions than I.

I am on Taxotere and Cytoxan and go every 3 weeks. I just have to trust my doctor and have been doing pretty good so far. One more to go then radiation

Sandra, your treatment plan sounds very similar to mine. How many infusions did you have before you start radiation? I will have a total of four infusions administered every 21 days. I have labs and doctor visit the day of treatment, maybe because I live about an hour away. I do take dexamethasone, two tabs the day before and the day after chemo. I started seeing hair loss about day 13. Just about ready to get ‘the cut’🙂 Prayers for you and your family🙏✝️ God has got this ✝️

Your first treatment will necessarily be longer because they run the drugs over longer periods of time to watch for reactions. If you didn’t have any reactions, they will likely run them faster during subsequent treatments. Take the time you need during and after infusion to rest and feel comfortable🙏🏻

I had stage 2 TNBC Metaplastic. I had a lumpectomy before chemo. My chemo took 1 1/2 hours. I’m on Taxol now, every week for total of 12 weeks. Then radiation every day for 6-8 weeks.

Make plans for the day you receive chemo a day off. The treatment is highly sensitive and they only provide when you show or blood work shows you can come. They will send the script upon check in to the pharmacy. Sometimes it's 3hrs sometimes it's up to 8. Pack a lunch, games,reading. Get your ice packs for hands and feet if having Taxol.

Chemotherapy session lengths can vary quite a bit depending on the specific medications and treatment protocol, with some taking just an hour while others may last several hours including pre-medications and monitoring time. Your oncology team will be able to give you the most accurate timeline for your specific treatment plan, and many find it helpful to ask about what to expect during that first appointment so they can plan accordingly.