Benefits and Drawbacks of Chemotherapy Ports | Dr. Saurabh Mohite

In this article Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Dr Saurabh Mohite explains benefits and drabacks of ports used for Chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment:

Benefits of Chemo Ports:

• Greater comfort – A single needle stick through the skin is usually all that is needed to access the port. With IV therapy and traditional blood draws, sometimes many needle sticks are needed to find a good vein, especially if the veins have been damaged from repeated blood draws and infusions.
• Avoiding delays –and multiple needle pricks in attempts to secure good peripheral IV access
• Lowering the risk of "extravasation" – When an IV is used, medications are more likely to leak (extravasate) into the tissues surrounding the hand or arm. Since many chemotherapy medications are caustic to tissue, a port can reduce the risk of inflammation related to leakage of these medications.
• Easier bathing and swimming – Since a port is completely under the skin one can usually bathe and even swim without being concerned about the risk of infection.

Possible Drawbacks of Chemo Ports

• Rare (less than 1%) complications of insertion can include bleeding (such as if the subclavian vein is punctured) and a pneumothorax (collapse of the lung)
• Infection – The risk of infection varies in studies but isn’t uncommon. If a port becomes infected, it will often need to be removed and replaced.
• Thrombosis – A clot may form in the port or catheter, causing it to stop working. Between 12 and 64% of 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.)
• Mechanical problems that cause the port to stop working – In some cases mechanical problems, such as movement of the catheter or separation of the port from the skin, can cause a port to stop working.
• Limitations in activity – Though activities such as bathing and swimming are usually okay, the oncologist may recommend holding off on exercises to strengthen the upper body or arms until the port is removed.
• Scaring – Given the gravity of cancer treatment, a scar from the port is a relatively minor drawback. But some people may find a scar on their upper chest disturbing for cosmetic reasons or because it is a symbol that they once went through chemotherapy.