What is a chemoport?
Chemoport is a device with a special chamber which allow medications to be given directly into the big veins. It has a catheter which is inserted inside a blood vessel, to act as an IV(intravenous) access to the bloodstream. It is placed beneath the skin for easy accessibility. A special curved, non-coring needle is used to access the port to give medications and fluid.
Why do I need a Chemoport?
Chemoport is a good option to give chemotherapy to breast cancer patients. It decreases veins related complications and makes chemotherapy instillation easy and timely.
In breast cancer owing to risk of lymphedema – operated side hand in not available for IV access making it imperative to use single hand or chemoport for all intravenous therapies.
How is a chemoport inserted ?
It is a day care procedure where chemoport is placed under the skin and is connected with big veins in the neck. Procedure is done under local or general anaesthesia. It is done under ultrasound guidance.
You can feel it under your skin as a slight bump, but it won’t be visible to other people.
What care should I take for my chemoport?
Once the dressing is removed, keep the area clean.Do not sleep on the chemoport i.e. do not lie on the abdomen. Contact sports have to be avoided but you can do other exercises like swimming, yoga, etc. Please be careful that your dress straps don’t put pressure on the port .
Port needs flushing once in every 30-45 days so that is doesn’t get blocked.
How long will I need my chemoport?
Chemoport is used to give chemotherapy drugs, blood transfusion and routine intravenous medicines. It can be removed once your chemotherapy sessions are over. However, for high risk patients i.e patients who have a high chance of reoccurance or patients with bilateral breast cancer we keep chemoport for a longer duration.
It needs to be flushed i.e kept functional once every every 30-45days.