What is a chemoport?
A chemoport is a small doorway into a large vein, placed under your skin, so that your medicines and blood tests never again depend on the veins of your arm.
A chemoport (also called a port, port-a-cath or implantable venous access device) is a small round device, roughly the size of a large coin. It is made of medical-grade titanium or plastic, with a soft rubber-like centre called the septum.
The port is connected to a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The tube is guided into a large vein near the heart. Once placed, the whole system lies under the skin. Nothing hangs outside the body, and the only visible sign is a slight bump on the upper chest.
Chemotherapy drugs can be strong. In small arm veins they may cause pain, burning, hardening of the vein or even skin damage if the drug leaks out. A large vein carries the medicine safely and dilutes it quickly, which is why doctors recommend a port to most patients who will need several cycles of treatment.
How is a chemoport placed?
Placement is a short, planned procedure. Most patients go home the same day. This is what usually happens:
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Preparation
Your doctor reviews your blood reports, especially clotting and blood counts, and tells you whether you need to fast and which tablets to hold. You will be asked to sign a consent form after all your questions are answered.
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Anaesthesia and preparation
You lie comfortably on your back. You will receive either general anaesthesia, so that you sleep through the procedure, or local anaesthesia with sedation, where the chest and neck are numbed and you feel relaxed and drowsy. Your doctor and anaesthetist will advise which is best for you. The skin is then cleaned and covered with sterile drapes.
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Reaching the vein
Using ultrasound, and X-ray guidance where needed, the surgeon enters a large vein, usually in the neck or just below the collarbone. This makes the procedure accurate and safe.
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Placing the tube and port
The soft catheter is guided into the vein so that its tip rests close to the heart. A small pocket is made under the skin of the chest, and the port is placed in it and connected to the tube.
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Checking and closing
The port is tested to confirm that fluid flows smoothly, and an X-ray confirms the tube position. The small cut is closed with stitches or surgical glue and covered with a dressing.
What you may feel: with general anaesthesia you will be asleep and feel nothing during the procedure. With local anaesthesia and sedation you may feel some pressure or tugging, but not sharp pain. Afterwards, mild soreness and a little bruising around the area is common for a few days and settles with simple painkillers if your doctor advises them.
How does it work in daily treatment?
When it is time for chemotherapy, a nurse cleans the skin over the port. A numbing cream or spray can be applied first. A special slanted needle is then passed through the skin into the soft centre of the port. The centre is self-sealing, so it closes again every time the needle is removed.
The medicine flows through the port and the thin tube directly into the large vein. From there it is carried quickly around the body.
The same single access is also used for:
- Taking blood samples for tests
- Giving fluids, antibiotics and other medicines
- Blood transfusions when needed
- Contrast dye for scans, if your port is of the type approved for it
After each use the port is flushed so that it stays clean and open. If it is not being used for a while, it still needs a routine flush, usually every 4 to 8 weeks, as advised by your care team.
Why a chemoport is such kind advice
Cancer treatment asks a lot of you. A port takes some of that burden away.
Far fewer needle pricks
One small puncture over the port replaces repeated searching for veins in your arms at every cycle and every blood test.
Protects your arm veins
Strong drugs are delivered into a large vein, so the small veins of your hands and arms are spared from burning, scarring and hardening.
Safer drug delivery
There is much less risk of the medicine leaking into the skin around a vein, which can cause painful tissue damage.
Reliable for the long haul
A port can stay in place for months or years, which suits treatments that run over many cycles or are followed by long-term monitoring.
Hidden and discreet
Everything is under the skin. There is no tube or dressing hanging outside the body, so it is easy to wear your normal clothes.
Freedom to live normally
Once the wound has healed, you can bathe, shower, travel and carry on with most everyday activities. Your doctor will guide you on exercise and swimming.
Lower infection risk than outside tubes
Because the port is fully covered by skin, it carries a lower infection risk than catheters that exit the body.
Less anxiety, more comfort
Knowing that every visit will be quick and gentle helps many patients feel calmer and more in control of their treatment.
Living with your chemoport
A port needs very little care. A few simple habits keep it safe and working well.
Everyday care
- Keep the wound dry and covered until your doctor says it has healed, usually 1 to 2 weeks.
- Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous arm movements on that side for the first week or so.
- Once healed, the area needs no special dressing between treatments.
- Carry the port identification card you are given, and show it to any doctor or nurse who treats you.
- Keep your routine flush appointments if the port is not in use.
Contact your doctor or hospital promptly if you notice
- Fever or shivering, especially during chemotherapy
- Redness, warmth, swelling, pus or increasing pain around the port
- Swelling of the arm, neck or face on the side of the port
- Difficulty flushing the port, or leaking around it
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
Being honest about risks: as with any procedure, a port can occasionally cause problems such as infection, a blood clot, a blocked tube or bleeding at the time of placement. These are not common, and most are easily treated when they are caught early. This is why your care team will always check the port and ask you to report early signs.
Questions patients often ask
Will it hurt when the needle goes into the port?
Most patients feel a brief pinch, and many feel very little because the skin over the port can be numbed with a cream or spray before the needle is placed.
Can everybody see it?
No. You may notice a small bump under the skin, but it is easily hidden by normal clothing.
Can I have a bath or shower?
Yes, once the wound has healed. While the needle is in the port for a treatment, the area must be kept covered and dry as your nurse explains.
Can I travel, work and exercise?
Most patients return to their usual routine, including work and travel, depending on how they feel during chemotherapy. Ask your doctor about heavy exercise, contact sports and swimming.
Will it set off airport security or affect scans?
Modern ports are very small and are generally safe for MRI and CT, and your ID card will tell staff the type of port you have. Always inform the scan team that you have a port.
How long will it stay in?
It stays for as long as you need treatment and follow-up. When your doctor decides it is no longer needed, it can be removed with a short procedure, usually under local anaesthesia.
Does everyone need a chemoport?
No. The decision depends on your type of cancer, the drugs you will receive, how long treatment will last and the condition of your veins. Your oncology team will advise what is best for you.
Have questions about your own treatment?
Every patient is different. If you or someone in your family has been advised to get a chemoport, you are welcome to discuss it in a consultation, so that you feel informed and comfortable before the procedure.
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