Objective:

To know the scientific evidence regarding the possible advantages offered by home chemotherapy to adult sufferers with neoplasia.

Method:

Critical and systematic review. Data were obtained from the query of the following database: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science. Terms used as descriptors and as text in the title and summary record fields were: “Home Care Services”, “Drug Therapy” and “Neoplasms”, using the filters «Humans», «Adult: 19+ years» and «Clinical Trial». Searching date October 2019. The documental quality of the articles was evaluated by using CONSORT questionnaire.

Results:

From 790 recovered references, after refining the repetitions and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 clinical trials were selected. In 12 (80%) of the revised trials it was observed that chemotherapy administrated at home was safe, feasible, beneficial and predominantly preferred by the patients. Regarding the cost of treatment, discrepancies were found between some trials, where 3 studies (20%) indicated a higher cost of home treatment.

Conclusions:

Home chemotherapy is a feasible and safe alternative for patients, which is preferred by them and their caregivers. The higher or lower cost depended mainly on the medication and type of treatment.

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