Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Chemo Port?What It Looks LikeHow It Is ImplantedAdvantagesDisadvantagesHow to Sleep With a Chemo PortSafetyRemoval
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a Chemo Port?
What It Looks Like
How It Is Implanted
Advantages
Disadvantages
How to Sleep With a Chemo Port
Safety
Removal
A chemotherapy port (also known as a chemo port) is a small device placed under the skin that is attached to a vein in the chest to deliverchemotherapydrugs to the body. Without a port, a new intravenous (IV) needle would need to be placed each and every time you have chemo.
A chemo port differs from aperipherally inserted central catheter(also known as a PICC line), which is implanted into a vein in your arm and used for a shorter period of time.
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.
Mark Harmel/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images
What Are Chemo Ports Used For?
Chemotherapy involves multiple intravenousinfusionsof medications over time. The drugs are generally given in courses of three to six months with infusions given every two to six weeks. You may be given one course or chemo or several. In advanced cases, treatment may be ongoing.
Chemo ports spare you the pain and aggravation of getting jabbed in the arm every session. But, they are about more than just convenience. Some chemotherapy medications can only be given through a port because they are too caustic for the veins in your arm. Instead, the drug is delivered to a larger, thicker vein in the chest.
Chemotherapy can also cause veins changes, making them harder and more difficult to access with a traditional IV needle.
Cancer specialists calledoncologistsgenerally recommend a port if you will require more than four infusions. In some cases, a port may allow you to have some chemotherapy at home instead of in a hospital or clinic.
What Does a Chemo Port Look Like?
Chemo ports are about the size of a silver dollar and can be circular, oval, or triangular. The port has a raised center made of a self-sealing rubber material (called theseptum) through which aneedleis inserted to deliver chemotherapy and other drugs or solutions. The port itself is called alumen.
There are two types of chemo ports:
How Are Chemo Ports Placed?
Chemo ports are surgically placed under the skin near a large vein in the upper chest. This is usually done on anoutpatientbasis using alocal anestheticthat numbs the skin rather than puts you to sleep. They are sometimes placed at the same time that the tumor is removed.
During the insertion, a small metal or plastic disc, called the drum or reservoir, is placed under the skin through a 1- to 2-inch incision. A tube, called a catheter, is then connected to either theinternal jugular veinof the neck or thesubclavian veinthat runs from the shoulder to the neck.
After your port is placed, the surgeon will perform anX-rayto ensure the port is correctly connected and secured. The port will be visibly seen under the skin but is largely concealed with clothes.
Advantages of a Chemo Port
As with any surgical procedure, there are advantages and disadvantages to having a chemo port. The benefits include:
Disadvantages of a Chemo Port
Chemotherapy ports may seem like a “no-brainer,” but they have their limitations and risks. They include:
BenefitsEase of useIncreased comfortLargely invisible under clothesReduced risk of extravasation
Ease of use
Increased comfort
Largely invisible under clothes
Reduced risk of extravasation
Potential infection
Blood clots and catheter obstruction
Mechanical problems
Scarring
Surgical complications
In the first few days following the placement of a chemo port, you may feel pain and discomfort but this should gradually subside. The bigger issue may be your awareness of the port and concerns that you may somehow damage it if you sleep incorrectly.
If you have a hard time sleeping on your back, there are several things you can try:
If you simply cannot sleep on your back, there are a few things you can to do make yourself more comfortable while placing minimal pressure on the device:
Avoiding Complications
As infrequent as infections are with chemo pumps, they do occur. In severe cases, this can lead to a potentially life-threatening, whole-body infection known assepticemia.
When your port is in place, but you are not undergoing treatment, a nurse will need to flush it out every four weeks so it doesn’t become blocked. Flushing the catheter with an antibiotic and heparin solution appears to significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Thrombosis is another common reason that ports are replaced. Routinely flushing a port with heparin does not seem to reduce the risk and may promote bleeding. Any minor clots that do develop can often be broken up with an injection of heparin into the catheter.
How Are Chemo Ports Removed?
A port can be left in place for weeks, months, or even years, but it is typically removed after chemotherapy treatment.
The removal of a chemo port is a relatively minor surgical procedure that often takes less than 30 minutes to perform. You will usually be given alocal anestheticbefore the chemo port is removed. A small incision will be made, after which the port and the catheter are removed.
The incision is then closed with sutures, surgical tape, or surgical glue, and covered with a bandage.
Summary
A chemo port is a device implanted under the skin to deliver chemo drugs to a large vein in the upper chest. The port is usually implanted as a same-day surgical procedure under local anesthesia.
A chemo port reduces the need for repeated needle sticks during chemo. The port is largely invisible under clothes and can be submerged under water while bathing or swimming. Even so, chemo ports carry a risk of infection, thrombosis (blood clots), and mechanical failure. There is also a risk of surgical complications, including bleeding and pneumothorax.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Getting IV or injectable chemotherapy.Sousa B, Furlanetto J, Hutka M, et al.Central venous access in oncology: ESMO clinical practice guidelines.Ann Oncol.2015;26:v152-v168. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdv296University Health Network.What to expect when getting an implanted port.Madabhavi I, Patel A, Sarkar M, Anand A, Panchal H, Parikh S.A study of use of “PORT” catheter in patients with cancer: a single-center experience.Clin Med Insights Oncol. 2017. doi: 10.1177/1179554917691031Tsotsolis N, Tsirgogianni K, Kioumis I, et al.Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):40. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.11Seok JP, Kim YJ, Cho HM, Ryu hY, Hwang WJ, Sung TY.A retrospective clinical study: complications of totally implanted central venous access ports.Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.2014 Feb;47(1):26–31. doi:10.5090/kjtcs.2014.47.1.26Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your implanted port.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Instructions after your procedure to remove your implanted port or central venous catheter (CVC).
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Getting IV or injectable chemotherapy.Sousa B, Furlanetto J, Hutka M, et al.Central venous access in oncology: ESMO clinical practice guidelines.Ann Oncol.2015;26:v152-v168. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdv296University Health Network.What to expect when getting an implanted port.Madabhavi I, Patel A, Sarkar M, Anand A, Panchal H, Parikh S.A study of use of “PORT” catheter in patients with cancer: a single-center experience.Clin Med Insights Oncol. 2017. doi: 10.1177/1179554917691031Tsotsolis N, Tsirgogianni K, Kioumis I, et al.Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):40. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.11Seok JP, Kim YJ, Cho HM, Ryu hY, Hwang WJ, Sung TY.A retrospective clinical study: complications of totally implanted central venous access ports.Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.2014 Feb;47(1):26–31. doi:10.5090/kjtcs.2014.47.1.26Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your implanted port.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Instructions after your procedure to remove your implanted port or central venous catheter (CVC).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Getting IV or injectable chemotherapy.Sousa B, Furlanetto J, Hutka M, et al.Central venous access in oncology: ESMO clinical practice guidelines.Ann Oncol.2015;26:v152-v168. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdv296University Health Network.What to expect when getting an implanted port.Madabhavi I, Patel A, Sarkar M, Anand A, Panchal H, Parikh S.A study of use of “PORT” catheter in patients with cancer: a single-center experience.Clin Med Insights Oncol. 2017. doi: 10.1177/1179554917691031Tsotsolis N, Tsirgogianni K, Kioumis I, et al.Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):40. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.11Seok JP, Kim YJ, Cho HM, Ryu hY, Hwang WJ, Sung TY.A retrospective clinical study: complications of totally implanted central venous access ports.Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.2014 Feb;47(1):26–31. doi:10.5090/kjtcs.2014.47.1.26Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your implanted port.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Instructions after your procedure to remove your implanted port or central venous catheter (CVC).
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Getting IV or injectable chemotherapy.
Sousa B, Furlanetto J, Hutka M, et al.Central venous access in oncology: ESMO clinical practice guidelines.Ann Oncol.2015;26:v152-v168. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdv296
University Health Network.What to expect when getting an implanted port.
Madabhavi I, Patel A, Sarkar M, Anand A, Panchal H, Parikh S.A study of use of “PORT” catheter in patients with cancer: a single-center experience.Clin Med Insights Oncol. 2017. doi: 10.1177/1179554917691031
Tsotsolis N, Tsirgogianni K, Kioumis I, et al.Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):40. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.11
Seok JP, Kim YJ, Cho HM, Ryu hY, Hwang WJ, Sung TY.A retrospective clinical study: complications of totally implanted central venous access ports.Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.2014 Feb;47(1):26–31. doi:10.5090/kjtcs.2014.47.1.26
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your implanted port.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Instructions after your procedure to remove your implanted port or central venous catheter (CVC).
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