Name of the Procedure:

• Common Name: Irinotecan Injection
• Technical/Medical Term: Injection, irinotecan, 20 mg (HCPCS Code: J9206)

Summary

Irinotecan injection is a chemotherapy treatment used to combat specific types of cancer. It involves administering the drug irinotecan into a patient’s vein through an injection, designed to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells.

Purpose

• Medical Conditions Addressed: Primarily used for treating cancers such as colorectal cancer.
• Goals/Expected Outcomes: The main goal is to reduce the size of the cancerous tumors, manage cancer-related symptoms, and prolong patient survival.

Indications

• Symptoms/Conditions: Patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer, particularly if the cancer has not responded to other treatments.
• Patient Criteria: Usually recommended for patients whose cancer tumors have specific genetic markers that suggest they would respond well to irinotecan.

Preparation

• Pre-procedure Instructions: Patients may be instructed to fast for a few hours before the injection. Regular medications should be discussed with the healthcare provider for any needed adjustments.
• Diagnostic Tests: Liver function tests, kidney function tests, and blood counts may be required prior to the procedure to ensure the patient’s suitability for the chemotherapy.

Procedure Description

1. Step-by-Step Process:
   • The patient is seated or lying down in a relaxed position.
   • A nurse or healthcare provider cleans the injection site (usually the arm).
   • An intravenous (IV) line is inserted into the vein.
   • Irinotecan is administered slowly through the IV over a period of time.
2. Tools/Equipment: IV line, syringe, and saline solution.
3. Anesthesia/Sedation: Typically, no anesthesia or sedation is required.

Duration

• The procedure generally takes approximately 30 to 90 minutes.

Setting

• Location: This procedure is usually performed in a hospital, outpatient clinic, or specialized cancer treatment center.

Personnel

• Healthcare Providers: Oncologist, chemotherapy nurse, and occasionally a pharmacist.

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and hair loss.
• Rare Risks: Severe allergic reactions, infections at the injection site, or lowered blood counts (leading to increased risk of infection or bleeding).

Benefits

• Expected Benefits: Reduction in tumor size and cancer symptoms, improved quality of life, and potentially longer survival rates.
• Timeline: Benefits may become noticeable within weeks to a few months after starting treatment.

Recovery

• Post-procedure Care: Monitoring for side effects like dehydration or infection; patients may be given medications to manage side effects such as anti-nausea drugs.
• Recovery Time: Most patients can go home the same day but may need days to recover from side effects. Regular follow-up appointments are necessary.

Alternatives

• Other Treatment Options: Surgery, radiation therapy, other chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
• Pros and Cons: Alternatives might be more suitable depending on tumor type and patient’s overall health but may carry their own risk profiles and effectiveness rates.

Patient Experience

• During Procedure: Mild discomfort from IV insertion, but otherwise typically painless.
• After Procedure: Possible side effects include feeling tired or weak. Pain management strategies include prescribed medications and supportive care.

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