Which of the following is NOT a common route of chemotherapy administration?

Which of the following is NOT a common route of chemotherapy administration?

• A. Intravenous (IV)
• B. Oral
• C. Topical
• D. Intramuscular (IM)

Answer: (C)

Topical administration is not a common route of chemotherapy administration, which is why it is the correct answer. Chemotherapeutic agents are primarily designed to target systemic effects throughout the body, particularly in fighting cancer that has spread beyond a localized area. Intravenous (IV) and oral routes are widely used due to their effectiveness in delivering drugs directly into the bloodstream, allowing for rapid absorption and distribution to various tissues. Intramuscular (IM) administration is also utilized for certain chemotherapeutic agents, though it is less common than IV or oral routes. In contrast, topical administration refers to applying a treatment to the skin or mucous membranes to localize effect, which is primarily used for conditions like skin cancer rather than systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, while topical treatments exist in oncology, they are not a standard route for administering chemotherapy aimed at treating more widespread cancers.

Topical administration is not a common route of chemotherapy administration, which is why it is the correct answer. Chemotherapeutic agents are primarily designed to target systemic effects throughout the body, particularly in fighting cancer that has spread beyond a localized area.

Intravenous (IV) and oral routes are widely used due to their effectiveness in delivering drugs directly into the bloodstream, allowing for rapid absorption and distribution to various tissues. Intramuscular (IM) administration is also utilized for certain chemotherapeutic agents, though it is less common than IV or oral routes.

In contrast, topical administration refers to applying a treatment to the skin or mucous membranes to localize effect, which is primarily used for conditions like skin cancer rather than systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, while topical treatments exist in oncology, they are not a standard route for administering chemotherapy aimed at treating more widespread cancers.