Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for stomach cancer called using a port?

by Layne Schumm Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Implantable port or port-a-cath. A surgeon or radiologist puts in a port. This is usually done with local anesthesia or conscious sedation. The entire catheter goes under the skin of your chest or upper arm. To give treatment with a port, your nurse may first numb the skin with cream.

Full Answer

What is a port in the abdomen for cancer?

Implanted 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. It stays underneath your skin, but there will be a small bulge where …

What is the best treatment for stomach cancer?

Gastrectomy (surgical removal of part or all of the stomach). Lymphadenectomy (removal of the nearby lymph nodes). If the tumors in this stage are small, they can sometimes be treated by endoscopic mucosal resection. In this procedure the cancer is removed through an endoscope passed down your throat. Stage I- Stomach Cancer

Can a port be placed during surgery for lung cancer?

The medical term for this is intravenous (IV) treatment. Your health care team can give you chemotherapy, other drugs, blood transfusions, and fluids this way. Medical devices called catheters and ports make intravenous treatments easier. They can also make it easier for your health care team to take blood samples.

What is an implantable port for cancer?

Depending on the location and extent of the cancer, some people might get surgery as their first treatment, with either subtotal gastrectomy (removal of part of the stomach) or total gastrectomy (removal of the entire stomach). Nearby lymph nodes (and possibly parts of nearby organs) are removed as well.

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What is a port cancer treatment?

A device used to draw blood and give treatments, including intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, or drugs such as chemotherapy and antibiotics. The port is placed under the skin, usually in the right side of the chest.

Why do some cancer patients have a port?

A port can also be used for delivering fluids and transfusions, drawing blood for lab testing and injecting dye for PET and CT scans. 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.

Is chemo port insertion painful?

A local anesthetic is injected into your chest area. This numbs the area where the port is inserted. You should only feel a little pain or discomfort during the procedure. You are given small amount of a medicine in your IV to help you relax.

Is a cancer port painful?

You may have some discomfort at your incision sites and where the catheter was tunneled under your skin. This pain should get better in 24 to 48 hours. You can take over-the-counter pain medication (medication you get without a prescription) if you need it. Most people don't need prescription pain medication.May 10, 2021

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.Jun 20, 2018

How long does it take to put in a chemo port?

It usually takes 30-45 minutes. Expect to be awake but medicated to help you relax. You'll get a local anesthetic to numb your neck and chest areas where your surgeon will make cuts and insert the port. You might notice swelling, soreness, or bruising in the area around your port after the procedure.Jun 15, 2020

How do you sleep with a port?

If your port is on the right side of your chest, sleep on your left side, or vice versa. You'll want to avoid sleeping on your stomach, at least at first, since you might feel pain at the port site. Try not to sleep with your arm raised on the side of your body that has the port since that could pull on the port.Sep 29, 2021

Are you put to sleep for a port placement?

Will I be put to sleep (under anesthesia) during the procedure? No. The port placement procedure is a minimally invasive procedure. You will only receive local anesthesia with some sedation and pain control medication if you need it during the procedure.

How long does a port stay in?

Ports can remain in place for weeks, months, or years. Your team can use a port to: Reduce the number of needle sticks. Give treatments that last longer than 1 day.

Is a port better for chemo?

Why Do You Need an Implantable Port? If you're getting chemotherapy for cancer, or other medications, it's easier for the doctor to give you medication or IV fluids through a port. Otherwise, you'd need regular shots or needle sticks in your veins. The port is less painful and lowers your risk of infection, too.Dec 9, 2021

At what stage of cancer is chemotherapy used?

Systemic drug treatments, such as targeted therapy or chemotherapy, are common for stage 4 cancers. Often, a clinical trial may be an option, offering new treatments to help you fight stage 4 cancer.Feb 11, 2022

How is chemo given through a port?

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.May 27, 2021

What are the most common treatments for stomach cancer?

The most common treatments for stomach cancer include: Gastrectomy. Chemotherapy. Radiation. You can read more about each treatment types in the following sections.

What is the procedure to remove a tumor from the stomach?

Gastrectomy (surgical removal of part or all of the stomach). Lymphadenectomy (removal of the nearby lymph nodes). If the tumors in this stage are small, they can sometimes be treated by endoscopic mucosal resection. In this procedure the cancer is removed through an endoscope passed down your throat.

What happens if you have a gastrectomy?

A common side effect of a gastrectomy is “dumping syndrome.” Dumping syndrome is a condition where food leaves the stomach or moves through the digestive tract too quickly causing symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea. If dumping syndrome continues, it can lead to malnutrition and dangerous weight loss.

What is the best treatment for cancer stage IV?

This can also be done where your stomach and small intestine meet. Chemotherapy and/ or radiation therapy can often help shrink the cancer. These treatments can also relieve some symptoms. Chemotherapy drugs typically used in Stage IV include: 5-FU. Cisplatin. Either epirubicin or etoposide.

What is the stage IV of cancer?

Stage IV- Stomach Cancer. Stage IV is stomach cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body. Although a cure is usually not possible, you may receive palliative surgery to: Keep your stomach and/or intestines from becoming blocked.

What is the treatment for stage 2 stomach cancer?

Some patients are treated with chemo before surgery. Treatment after surgery may include chemo alone or chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

How often do you get radiation for stomach cancer?

Sometimes treatments are given once a day and sometimes twice a day. A treatment usually only takes a few minutes. The most common side effects of radiation for stomach cancer are gastrointestinal symptoms, like nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, cramping and irritation.

What is the procedure to put a port in?

A surgeon or radiologist puts in a port. This is usually done with local anesthesia or conscious sedation. The entire catheter goes under the skin of your chest or upper arm. To give treatment with a port, your nurse may first numb the skin with cream. Then, your nurse cleans the skin and puts a needle into the port.

What is the best way to treat cancer side effects?

Relieving side effects is an important part of your overall cancer treatment. This type of care is called palliative care or supportive care. Talk with your health care team about the side effects you experience and ways to manage and treat them.

How long does an IV catheter stay in?

You get a new IV each time you have treatment. Sometimes the catheter can stay in for 2 or 3 days if it is safely in your vein and not painful. Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). This is usually called a PICC ("pick") line.

What is the name of the catheter that is put in the body?

Where and how the catheter is put in your body depends on the type of catheter. The different types of catheters are: IV catheter. Treatments that are given in a vein are often given through a catheter with a small needle. This is called an IV catheter or simply an "IV.".

How long can a needle stay in a port?

Give treatments that last longer than 1 day. The needle can stay in the port for several days. Give more than 1 medication at a time through a double port. Do blood tests and give chemotherapy the same day with 1 needle stick.

Where does a PICC catheter go?

Or it might go into a neck vein. Like with the PICC line, the tip of the catheter goes into the vein and a few inches of the tube goes into your body.

What is a double lumen catheter?

These are double lumen or triple lumen catheters. This type of catheter allows you to receive more than 1 treatment at a time. Sometimes, a catheter gets put completely under the skin. If so, it connects to a small plastic or metal disc called a port. A port also goes under the skin.

How to treat early stage stomach cancer?

Very early stage cancers can typically be treated by surgery, with either subtotal gastrectomy (removal of part of the stomach) or total gastrectomy (removal of the entire stomach).

What tests are done before stomach cancer?

Along with imaging tests like CT and PET scans, other tests such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or staging laparoscopy might be done before trying to remove the cancer. (See Tests for Stomach Cancer for more on these tests.) Depending on the location and extent of the cancer, some people might get surgery as their first treatment, ...

What is the procedure to remove cancer?

This might be a subtotal gastrectomy (removal of part of the stomach) or total gastrectomy (removal of the entire stomach). Nearby lymph nodes (and possibly parts of nearby organs) are removed as well.

What is the best treatment for HER2 positive stomach cancer?

Another option for people with metastatic HER2-positive stomach cancer is to give trastuzumab with chemo and the immunotherapy drug, pembrolizumab, as the first treatment. If one type of chemo doesn’t work (or if it stops working), another type of chemo might be tried.

What is the first line of treatment for cancer?

Options for the first line of treatment for these cancers might include chemotherapy alone, chemo plus immunotherapy, chemo plus immunotherapy plus the targeted drug trastuzumab (if the cancer is HER2-positive ), or chemo plus radiation therapy (chemoradiation). The stage (extent) of the cancer is then reassessed after treatment.

How to control cancer growth?

Treatment aimed at controlling the growth of the cancer might include chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy plus immunotherapy, or chemotherapy along with radiation therapy if a person is healthy enough.

What to do if you have cancer removed?

If it’s not clear that all of the cancer has been removed, chemotherapy and radiation are likely to be recommended.

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.

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 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.

Why does my port stop working?

A clot may form in the port or catheter, causing it to stop working. Many people who have a port placed for chemotherapy will develop a thrombosis (clot) in the catheter (often causing a 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 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 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 ...

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 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.

How to remove stomach cancer?

Surgery can be done for two main reasons: 1 Surgery to remove the cancer: Surgery may be done to remove the cancer and part or all of the stomach, as well as some nearby lymph nodes and other structures, depending on the location and stage (extent) of the cancer. The surgeon will try to leave behind as much normal stomach as possible. Sometimes other organs will need to be removed as well. 2 Palliative surgery: If the cancer is too widespread to be removed completely, surgery might still be done to help prevent bleeding from the tumor or prevent the stomach from being blocked by tumor growth. This type of surgery can prevent or relieve symptoms, but it is not expected to cure the cancer.

What is the goal of stomach surgery?

However, the main goal of surgery is to be sure all the cancer has been removed. The surgeon will try to achieve negative surgical margins, meaning that no cancer cells are seen at the edges of the removed part of the stomach, even when looking at it under a microscope.

What is a partial gastrectomy?

Subtotal (partial) gastrectomy. In this operation, only part of the stomach is removed. This is often recommended if the cancer is only in the lower part of the stomach (in which case it is known as a distal gastrectomy ). It might also be used for cancers that are only in the upper part of the stomach ...

Why are East Asian surgeons more experienced?

It is not clear if this is because East Asian surgeons are more experienced (stomach cancer is much more common in these countries), because their patients tend to have earlier stage disease (because they screen for stomach cancer) and are healthier, or if other factors play a role.

What are the side effects of having a stomach removed?

Side effects after surgery can include nausea, heartburn, abdominal (belly) pain, and diarrhea, particularly after eating. These side effects result from the fact that once part or all of the stomach is removed, food enters the intestines much more quickly after eating.

What are the side effects of stomach cancer surgery?

These can include bleeding from the surgery, blood clots, and damage to nearby organs during the operation.

What is EMR in cancer?

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are procedures that can be used to treat some very early-stage cancers, when the tumor is not thought to have grown deeply into the stomach wall and the chance of spread outside the stomach is very low.

What is the treatment for stomach cancer?

This is called adjuvant treatment. The goal of adjuvant chemo is to kill any areas of cancer that may have been left behind but are too small to see. This can help keep the cancer from coming back. Often, for stomach cancer, chemo is given with radiation therapy after surgery.

How does chemo help with stomach cancer?

Chemotherapy (chemo) uses anti-cancer drugs that are injected into a vein (through an IV line or central venous catheter) or given by mouth as pills. These drugs enter the bloodstream and reach all areas of the body, making this treatment useful for cancer that has spread to organs beyond where it started.

How long does chemo last?

Doctors give chemo in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a rest period to allow the body time to recover. Each cycle typically lasts for a few weeks.

What are the side effects of chemo?

These depend on the type and dose of drugs, and the length of treatment. Side effects from chemo can include: Nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite.

Does neoadjuvant surgery help with stomach cancer?

Neoadjuvant treatment can often shrink the tumor and possibly make surgery easier. It may also help keep the cancer from coming back and help patients live longer. For some stages of stomach cancer, neoadjuvant chemo is one of the standard treatment options. Often, chemo is then given again after surgery.

Can chemo be given before surgery?

Chemo might be used at different times to help treat stomach cancer: Chemo can be given before surgery for stomach cancer. This is known as neoadjuvant treatment. (Sometimes chemo is given along with radiation therapy, which is known as chemoradiation .) Neoadjuvant treatment can often shrink the tumor and possibly make surgery easier.

Does chemo cause nerve damage?

Some chemo drugs have specific side effects. Your treatment team can help you know which of these you might need to look out for. Nerve damage (neuropathy): Cisplatin, oxaliplatin, docetaxel, and paclitaxel can damage nerves.

What is the best treatment for stomach cancer?

Surgery is a main treatment for most cases of stomach cancer. The type of surgery you need will depend on the stage of the disease and the location of the tumor in the stomach. Gastrectomy is the most common surgery doctors use to treat stomach cancer. It involves removing either part or all of the stomach. The side effects of surgery will depend on how extensive it is.

How does immunotherapy help with stomach cancer?

Immunotherapy uses your own immune system to wage war against cancer. The type of immunotherapy that can treat stomach cancer targets so-called checkpoint proteins. Basically, checkpoint inhibitor therapy helps your immune system recognize cancer cells that are trying to avoid detection. Because this boosts your immune response, side effects can include fever, fatigue, itching, rash, and muscle or joint pain. Sometimes, the immune system goes into overdrive and starts attacking healthy tissues. These autoimmune reactions are less common than other side effects, but can be very serious.

What is chemo treatment?

Chemotherapy—or chemo—is a systemic stomach cancer treatment. These potent medicines travel throughout your body to kill cancer cells. As a result, chemo can cause side effects in different areas of the body. Because chemo kills rapidly dividing cells, some normal cells and tissues are more vulnerable to chemo’s effects than others. Examples include the cells of the hair follicles, digestive tract, and bone marrow.

What are the side effects of targeted therapy for stomach cancer?

Targeted therapy does not affect normal cells in the same way as chemo. As a result, the side effects of targeted therapy tend to be milder. Common side effects of targeted therapy for stomach cancer include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, headache, and fever and chills. For many people, the side effects get better after the first dose. Serious side effects, such as severe bleeding or heart problems, are possible but rare. Your care team needs to know if you experience these symptoms with targeted stomach cancer therapy.

How long does it take for a gastrectomy to heal?

Total gastrectomy removes the entire stomach. Doctors connect the bottom of the esophagus to the small intestine. The digestive tract takes several months to heal from this surgery. You can expect to lose weight for about two months afterwards. You will slowly transition to eating over a few months. However, you will always need to eat small, frequent meals. In some cases, people are not able to take in enough nourishment after a total gastrectomy. A permanent feeding tube can solve this problem.

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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…
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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 …
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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...
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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.
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