Extravasation of chemotherapeutic agents

Extravasation of vesicant agents into the soft tissues can lead to painful and indolent ulcerations. Precautions for avoiding extravasation include the use of fresh intravenous lines. The line should be placed in the forearm whenever possible. Hand veins, joint surfaces and extremities with impaired circulation should be avoided as infusion sites. If evidence of extravasation appears, the infusion must be stopped immediately and appropriate measures initiated.