Receiving chemotherapy through a port is also very common during breast cancer treatment. A port is a small reservoir placed under the skin, usually on the right side of the chest, during a short outpatient surgery. The port is attached to a catheter that is threaded into the large vein above the right side of the heart.
- Implanted port: This is a catheter that's inserted through your chest into a large vein near your heart, or sometimes into a vein in your arm or abdomen. ...
- Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line): This type is inserted into your arm and threaded through a vein that connects to a large vein near your heart.
What type of chemotherapy is used for breast cancer?
The types of systemic therapies used for breast cancer include:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormonal therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
How is a port for chemo inserted?
You will need:
- A Port Access Kit (sterile gloves, CHG cleanser, central line dressing kit, skin protectant)
- A Biopatch (or disc impregnated with CHG)
- Masks for yourself and the patient
- Needless Connector
- A 90 degree, Non-Coring Port needle (also called a Huber needle) or PowerLoc needle for PowerPort
- Sterile Normal Saline flush syringe
How effective is oral chemotherapy for breast cancer?
Xeloda for Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Indications. If you have already been treated with Taxol (paclitaxel) and Adriamycin (doxorubicin) for stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer and had no response, your doctor may recommend that you take ...
- Efficacy. ...
- Dosage and Administration. ...
- Side Effects. ...
- Risks. ...
- Contraindications. ...
What medications cause breast cancer?
- HER2-positive breast cancer has an excess of HER2 genes or receptors.
- It is present in about 1 out of every 5 invasive breast cancers.
- The test for this gene determines the risk of the breast cancer returning and can help to determine the best treatment that is directed against HER2.
Where does chemo port go for breast cancer?
A port is a small reservoir placed under the skin, usually on the right side of the chest, during a short outpatient surgery. The port is attached to a catheter that is threaded into the large vein above the right side of the heart.
Is inserting chemo port painful?
Does it hurt? Not typically, but when it is accessed for chemo or a blood draw, the initial poke does sting a bit (similar to an IV poke in your arm). Over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed numbing creams can help ease the discomfort.
How painful is having a port put in?
After doctors insert a chemo port, it is fairly normal to experience some discomfort. A person will likely experience some swelling, inflammation, and tenderness. Bruising may also occur, which can take longer to go away.
Is a chemo port outpatient surgery?
Your chemo port is implanted during an outpatient procedure, meaning that you don't have to stay in a hospital for the procedure. It usually takes 30-45 minutes.
Are you put to sleep for a port placement?
You lie on a procedure table and stay awake while the port is put in. This usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. A local anesthetic is injected into your chest area. This numbs the area where the port is inserted.
How many days after chemo do you start to feel better?
Many people feel fine for the first few hours following chemotherapy. Usually, some reaction occurs about four to six hours later. However, some people don't react until 12 or even 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Some people experience almost all of the side effects described below, while others experience almost none.
Can you shower with a port?
For most people, a port's pretty simple to live with. Once your incision heals, you can shower, swim, and do anything else you feel up to doing. You don't need a bandage on your port when you're not using it, and there's no dressing to change.
What do you wear to a chemo port?
Wear a low neck or V-neck shirt so nurses can easily place ports to administer the chemo, and bring an extra shirt in case you sweat through the first. Bring a light sweater in case you become cold. Having something to cover your head can also be helpful.
What should you not do during chemotherapy?
9 things to avoid during chemotherapy treatmentContact with body fluids after treatment. ... Overextending yourself. ... Infections. ... Large meals. ... Raw or undercooked foods. ... Hard, acidic, or spicy foods. ... Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption. ... Smoking.More items...•
Where is a port placed?
The port is placed under the skin, usually in the right side of the chest. It is attached to a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) that is guided (threaded) into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava.
Do all chemo patients get a port?
Most patients keep their PICC, CVC or port until they're done with treatment, but it's different for every person. Ports are often requested because they allow patients more normalcy in their daily living and require less maintenance. But ports are not always the best choice.
What happens on the first day of chemotherapy?
Your nurse will begin with a saline solution through your IV. As soon as the medications are delivered, your nurse will hang the bags of medication on the IV stand and then start the different IVs. You'll be given pre-medications first, then the chemotherapy.
When Is Chemotherapy used?
Not all women with breast cancer will need chemo, but there are several situations in which chemo may be recommended: 1. After surgery (adjuvant ch...
Which Chemotherapy Drugs Are Used For Breast Cancer?
In most cases (especially as adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment), chemo is most effective when combinations of drugs are used. Today, doctors use ma...
How Is Chemotherapy given?
Chemo drugs for breast cancer are typically given into a vein (IV), either as an injection over a few minutes or as an infusion over a longer perio...
Possible Side Effects of Chemo For Breast Cancer
Chemo drugs can cause side effects. These depend on the type and dose of drugs given, and the length of treatment. Some of the most common possible...
What is a port a catheter?
But there are other aspects of treatment you may not have heard of, like a port-a-catheter (aka port-a-cath or port), which is a mechanism used to deliver medicines, nutrients, blood products, or fluids into your blood and to take blood out of your body for testing. The port is one of the most common types of central venous catheters.
Where is the port located?
quarter or Canadian loonie) that is placed underneath your skin, usually above your breast or below the collarbone, and is used to intravenously feed medication directly into a large vein and into the heart. It can also be used to withdraw blood as well.
What happens after chemo?
During your chemo session, after your IV is connected, the nurse will flush out the port lines before administering the chemo drugs . This is also the last thing that the nurse does after administering your chemo, before removing the IV. If your port hasn’t been accessed in about a month, you have to have it flushed out.
How long does it take for a port to flush out?
If your port hasn’t been accessed in about a month, you have to have it flushed out. This can be done at your local hospital blood lab department and will only take a few minutes. This will help prevent blood clotting, infection, and other complications. This article first appeared on Rethink Breast Cancer.
How long do you have to be in the hospital for a chest splint?
It is a short procedure, and you can expect to be in the hospital for a couple of hours. During that time, you will receive a local anesthetic to your chest area. For the rest of the day, avoid wearing tight bras or carrying a purse across your chest.
Why do you need a port for a vein?
If you are in treatment, you will need to have your veins accessed frequently. A port is used to avoid poking your arm with needles numerous times and for protecting small veins. It is removed after therapy and leaves a small scar behind. Although a port may be recommended, getting one is a decision you need to make with your doctor.
Can you get a port in your arm?
Although a port may be recommended, getting one is a decision you need to make with your doctor. There are many factors to consider including cost, type, and schedule of treatment, as well as other existing medical conditions you may have. It can also be inserted in your upper arm, but this is something you often have to advocate for in Canada, ...
Why do you need a port for chemo?
Some chemotherapy medications can only be given through a port because they are too caustic to be delivered into a peripheral vein. Beyond that, using a port is often easier than inserting an IV each time if you will be having several infusions of chemotherapy.
How many ports are there for chemo?
As with any surgical procedure, there are both advantages and disadvantages to having a chemotherapy port placed. Estimates suggest there are more than 5 million ports placed in the United States each year, so physicians are very familiar with the procedure and it has been well studied. 4. The benefits of having a chemotherapy port compared ...
What is a port used for?
A port can be used to draw blood and infuse chemotherapy drugs. It can be used if you need transfusions of red blood cells or platelets. 1. Without a port or a PICC line, a new IV needle will need to be placed each time you have chemotherapy, and separate IV lines are needed if you require IV fluids or a blood transfusion.
What is the first step in chemo?
Having a port implanted is often the first step in chemotherapy treatment. Since this involves a minor surgical procedure and carries some risks, it's important to talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of a port (and how you'll need to care for it) before you decide to have one implanted.
What happens if you have a port placed for chemo?
Many people who have a port placed for chemotherapy will develop a thrombosis, or blood clot, in the port or the catheter. This clot may cause the port to stop working, often creating the need for the port to be replaced. 5.
What is the area where a nurse inserts a needle into a port?
During blood draws or chemotherapy infusions, a nurse will insert a needle into an area called the "septum, " a resealable rubber center on your port. Advantages. Greater comfort.
How many needle sticks are needed for IV port?
A single needle stick is usually all that is needed to access your port. 1 With IV therapy and traditional blood draws, sometimes many needle sticks are needed to find a good vein, especially if your veins have been damaged from repeated blood draws and infusions.
Where is a chemo port located?
Usually, a chemo port is centrally placed under the skin near a large vein in the upper chest. This can be a good alternative to an intravenous (IV) catheter that is peripherally placed in an arm or hand vein (a suitable IV site can sometimes be difficult to find).
What is a chemo port?
A chemo port is a small, implantable reservoir with a thin silicone tube that attaches to a vein. The main advantage of this vein-access device is that chemotherapy medications can be delivered directly into the port rather than a vein, eliminating the need for needle sticks. Many people who receive chemotherapy choose to have a port implanted ...
What are the benefits of a port?
In addition to streamlining the delivery of chemotherapy medications, a port can provide several other benefits as compared to an IV catheter: 1 A port site is prepared with a sterile technique, which ensures that all surfaces are free of microorganisms and thus greatly reduces the risk of infection (an IV site is prepared with a clean but nonsterile technique). 2 A port can also be used for delivering fluids and transfusions, drawing blood for lab testing and injecting dye for PET and CT scans. 3 A port reduces the risk of medications coming into contact with – and possibly irritating – the skin. 4 A port can be used to provide treatments that span several days.
How long can a chemo port stay in place?
How long can a chemo port remain in place? Unlike an IV catheter, which must be reinserted for each treatment session, a port can remain in place as long as necessary – for several weeks, months or even years. When it is no longer needed, the port can be removed through a relatively simple outpatient procedure.
What is port site?
A port site is prepared with a sterile technique, which ensures that all surfaces are free of microorganisms and thu s greatly reduces the risk of infection (an IV site is prepared with a clean but nonsterile technique).
Why do we need a port?
A port reduces the risk of medications coming into contact with – and possibly irritating – the skin. A port can be used to provide treatments that span several days. If you have further questions, you are welcome to talk with an expert at Moffitt.
Is porting better than IV?
Easily accessible by a patient’s treatment team, a port can provide a safer and more efficient medication delivery process than an IV. And, while a port will produce a visible, quarter-sized “bump” under the skin, it can be easily covered with regular clothing.
Where to put a port for cancer?
Ports are most often placed under the skin of the chest or arm. With certain types of cancer, a port might be placed in the abdomen (belly) to allow medicine to be given into the area where a tumor is.
What is an implant port?
An implanted port (also called an implantable venous access port) is a common choice for people with cancer. The port is a small drum made of plastic or metal, with a thin tube (called a line) going into a large vein. The drum is covered with a self-sealing membrane (called a septum) made of silicone.
What is an IV line?
Intravenous (IV) lines are thin, flexible, plastic hoses that run from a bottle or bag of medicine into a tiny needle or intravenous catheter (a small, flexible tube) placed in a vein in your body. IV lines must always be germ-free (“sterile”) to be sure no infections get into your blood. IV supplies are used only once and are never re-used. They are used to put medicines, blood products, nutrients, or fluids right into your blood. Sometimes, they can also be used to take out blood for testing.
What equipment is used for cancer treatment?
Tubes, Lines, Ports, and Catheters Used in Cancer Treatment. If you need surgery, chemotherapy, or other types of treatment, equipment like tubes, lines, ports, and catheters might be used. The type of equipment that's used depends mostly on the reason it's needed, but it will also depend on your health and preferences, ...
How to give liquid medicine?
Liquid medicines or feedings might be given through a tube placed in the stomach or the small intestine. They are often called tube feedings . If these feedings will only be needed for a short time, a tube can be put in through the nose and directed down to the stomach without needing surgery. If liquid food is needed for a longer period of time, surgery might be done to insert a feeding tube through the skin of the belly and directly into the stomach (a gastrostomy tube, or G tube) or the small intestine (a jejunostomy tube, or J tube).
Why do you put a tube in the bladder after surgery?
Put into the bladder to drain urine after surgery or because of other problems that might come up. Put into a colostomy or the rectum to help drain intestinal waste if needed. If you leave the hospital with any drainage tubes, your nurse will teach you how to care for them and what problems to watch for.
Where do you put a feeding tube?
If liquid food is needed for a longer period of time, surgery might be done to insert a feeding tube through the skin of the belly and directly into the stomach (a gastrostomy tube, or G tube) or the small intestine (a jejunostomy tube, or J tube).
Where is a port placed?
Your port will be placed either in Interventional Radiology or in the operating room. Port placement is a short procedure. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to prepare for it.
Where do you put a port in your arm?
The port lets the medication go into your bloodstream through a large vein near your heart. Implanted ports are usually placed about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) below the center of your right collarbone (see Figure 1). If you wear a bra, your implanted port will be about ...
What are the two parts of an implanted port?
Types of implanted ports. All implanted ports are made up of 2 parts: the port with a septum and a catheter (see Figure 2). The port is the starting point of fluid flow through the catheter. It sits under your skin and has a raised center called a septum. The septum is made from a self-sealing rubber material.
What is an implanted port?
About Implanted Ports. An implanted port (also known as a “port”) is a flexible tube that’s placed into a vein in your chest. It will make it easier for your healthcare team to: Give you intravenous (IV, through a vein) medication. Give you IV fluids. Take blood samples.
How long after a port is removed can you shower?
Wearing a seatbelt may put pressure on your incisions. You can put a small pillow or folded towel between the strap and your body to help with this. For 3 to 5 days after your implanted port is placed, don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms).
How much does a port raise your skin?
Your implanted port may raise your skin about ½ an inch (1.2 centimeters). You may be able to feel it through your skin, but you probably won’t be able to see it when you wear a V-neck shirt. Most people won’t know that you have it. The skin over your implanted port doesn’t need any special care.
How long after port placement can you lift?
Wearing a seatbelt may put pressure on your incisions. You can put a small pillow or folded towel between the strap and your body to help with this. For 3 to 5 days after your implanted port is placed, don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms).
Port Use in Chemotherapy
How A Chemo Port Is Implanted
Advantages
Disadvantages
- Chemotherapy ports may seem like a "no-brainer," but they have their limitations and risks. They include: 1. Risk of infection: While the risk is relatively low, it can occur. Research suggests that around 2% of chemo ports need to be replaced due to an infection.4 2. Risk of thrombosis: Many people with a chemo port will develop a blood clot (thrombosis) which can block the catheter. T…
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 as septicemia.4 Flushing the catheter with an antibiotic and heparin solution appears to significantly reduce the risk of infection.4Cleansing the skin also does not appear to help. However, if there are signs of a local …
Summary
- A chemotherapy 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...
A Word from Verywell
- Having a chemo port implanted is often the first step in chemotherapy. Since it involves minor surgery, there are risks you need to consider. It is important to talk with your oncologist about the pros and cons of a chemo port—and how you'll need to care for it—before you make an informed decision about the procedure.