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- Overview
- What is a chemotherapy port and why is it needed?
- How is it implanted?
- What are the benefits of a chemotherapy port?
- Are there risks?
- Does it hurt?
- How is it removed?
- The bottom line
Cancer treatment often involves numerous blood draws. Additionally, if you undergo chemotherapy treatment, you may need to have it administered through a vein.
Over time, it can be painful to be repeatedly poked with needles or intravenous (IV) lines. A chemotherapy port may be an option in this situation to make it easier to draw blood and get chemo drugs and IV fluids into your bloodstream.
A chemotherapy port is a small disc or reservoir that can be made of plastic or metal, with a rubber seal at the top. A thin, soft, flexible tube, called a line or catheter, goes from this disc, which faces the outside of your body, directly into a large vein.
A chemo port is usually inserted just below your collarbone, or less often, the upper arm. It is about the size of a quarter and creates a small bump under your skin, which can be covered by clothing.
Chemotherapy drugs and other fluids or medications can be given directly through the port. This is done with a special needle that goes into an access point within the port. The fluids or medications flow through the catheter and directly into a large vein. Blood can also be drawn this way.
This is typically a lot easier and less painful than having needles constantly inserted into your veins.
Ports are surgically implanted. It’s a short, outpatient procedure, which means that you can go home after the surgery. You can typically expect the following to happen with this procedure:
•Before you have the port implanted, you’ll be given an IV with medication to help you relax. This may make you feel drowsy.
•You’ll lie on a procedure table and will stay awake while the port is implanted.
•Because the port is usually implanted near the collarbone, you’ll have a local anesthetic injected into your chest area. This will numb the area.
•Two small cuts will be made: one at the base of your neck and another just under your collarbone.
•A port will be inserted into the incision under your collarbone.
Before deciding to have a port implanted, you and your doctor will talk about the procedure, the possible benefits and risks, and decide whether it is right for you.
The benefits of a chemo port can include:
•a reduction in the number of needle sticks
•less discomfort with chemotherapy treatment
•the ability to administer treatments that last more than a day, since the needle can be placed into the port and left there
•the ability to administer more than one medication at a time, if there is a double port
As with most medical procedures or devices, a chemotherapy port does have some risks. These include:
•the possibility of infection at the incision sites
•blockages in the catheter
•blood clots
•twisting of the catheter under the skin
•the catheter or port moving
After the port is implanted you may have some pain or discomfort, but this usually resolves in a day or two. Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) will usually help ease post-surgery pain.
After the incision heals, you can do everything you would normally do: household chores, work tasks, and your usual exercise routine. However, you’ll want to avoid playing any contact sports while you have a port.
If you find that wearing a seatbelt is uncomfortable once you have a port implanted, put a small, folded towel between the strap and your body to help reduce the friction or pressure.
For the most part, though, you shouldn’t feel any pain once the incisions have healed from the implantation surgery. If you have any pain or discomfort, let your doctor or treatment team know. They can address this issue and find solutions.
Ports can stay in the body for months or even years. But once your treatment is over and you don’t need your port anymore, your doctor will schedule an appointment to remove it.
As with the implantation surgery, removing a port involves a short, outpatient procedure, that’s typically done with local anesthesia. You’ll be awake but drowsy during the procedure.
Frequent chemotherapy treatments and blood draws can be painful and taxing on your veins. A chemotherapy port can help reduce needle sticks and make it easier for your healthcare team to administer medications and fluids and to do blood draws.
If your doctor suggests a chemotherapy port, talk with them about the risks and benefits and what it will mean for your treatment.
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Jan 9, 2024 · This article explains why a chemotherapy port is needed and how the device is implanted. It also outlines the benefits and risks of a chemo port and how infection and other complications are avoided.
Jan 31, 2023 · A chemotherapy port, or chemo port, is a small, implantable device. It delivers chemotherapy drugs directly to your bloodstream through a vein in your chest, arm or abdomen. Healthcare providers can also use your port to draw blood and give you fluids.
Aug 2, 2023 · A port protects your veins from damage from repeated access. A port makes it easier for your care team to: Collect blood samples. Give you intravenous (IV) medication. This is medication that’s put into one of your veins. Some IV medications, such as anesthesia and some types of chemotherapy (chemo), must go through a large vein. Give you IV ...
Dec 18, 2023 · The two main types of available chemo ports are: A single-lumen port, which provides one access point. A double lumen port, which allows the health care team to place two needles at a time. In most cases, the patient will only need a single-lumen port. Chemo ports and catheters are typically removed once treatment is complete. Chemo port placement.
Nov 4, 2022 · He shares answers to seven common questions about chemotherapy ports. 1. What is a chemo port? A port is a device placed under the skin which connects to one of your major veins. It looks like a disc around the size of a quarter, with a flexible tube attached. Ports can be made of metal or plastic. 2. What are chemo ports used for?
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