This article explains what ports are, how they’re used, and their potential benefits.
What Is a Port?
A port is a device that is surgically placed under the skin on either side of the chest, just below the collar bone. The port can also be placed in a different body area depending on the type of cancer and the person’s medical condition. The procedure is done in the hospital, and most people go home the same day.
The port is made of two parts: the portal and the catheter. The portal is a small, heart-shaped drum. The top of the drum is made of self-sealing silicone so a Huber needle can puncture it. The remainder of the drum is plastic.
Some people may have a port with two portals or drums. Although completely under the skin, the portal will appear as a small bump on the chest.
The catheter is a thin plastic tube attached to the bottom of the portal. It’s a few inches long and is surgically threaded into a large vein in the chest. Commonly used veins are the jugular, subclavian, or superior vena cava.
The port allows for the safe and easy delivery of medications, as well as the withdrawal of blood. There are no tubes or catheters outside the body when the port is not used. Once the surgical site is healed, swimming, bathing, and showering are allowed.
Who Gets Ports?
You and your oncologist (cancer doctor) will decide together whether you need a port. Factors to consider are:
Type of cancerType of chemotherapyFrequency of chemotherapyLength of cancer treatmentCondition of the veins in your arms
Not everyone who receives cancer treatment needs a port. Some cancer medications are safe to infuse into the veins of your arms. Your oncology nurse will assess the veins in your arms to determine if you need a port.
Benefits
The biggest benefit of a port is safety. Making sure chemotherapy is being administered in the safest way is reassuring for you and your oncology team.
Ports are also easy to use. There is no difficulty trying to find a vein. If chemotherapy is given daily or frequent blood draws are required, the Huber needle can be left in, decreasing the number of venous punctures you may need. A clear dressing is placed over the Huber needle to protect it while it’s left in place.
In addition, the port device can remain in the body for many years, making follow-up imaging and blood work easy. Clinical guidelines need to be followed for managing and using infusion ports.
How Is the Port Used?
Before the port is accessed (punctured), a nurse will clean the skin above and around the port site. Cleaning the skin with an alcohol solution helps decrease infections.
The nurse will wear a mask during this procedure and use sterile supplies that are free from microorganisms. You shouldn’t cough or breathe on your skin during this process. Turning your head to the opposite side is helpful.
Once your skin is dry:
The nurse will use a Huber needle to puncture your skin, gently pushing it through the silicone port device. The Huber needle has tubing connected to it that remains outside the body during the infusion. A clear dressing is placed over the needle to keep it clean and anchored to the chest wall. Next, a syringe is attached to the end of the tubing to aspirate (remove) blood from the port. This indicates the port is working. Lab tubes can be connected to the tubing for an easy blood draw. The nurse will then flush the tubing with a syringe of normal saline, rinsing the blood from the tubing and the port device. You may experience a salty or metallic taste when the port is flushed. When the medication is ready, the nurse will connect the chemotherapy tubing to the port tubing. Most chemotherapies are infused by a pump programmed to give the correct amount of medication over the correct amount of time. Once the chemotherapy has been infused, the nurse will flush the port tubing with more normal saline. Some ports require a solution called heparin lock as well. This helps prevent blood clots from forming in the port device. The nurse will then remove the Huber needle and place a bandage or small dressing over the puncture site. You may shower and bathe anytime after the port needle is removed.
Why Doesn’t My Clinic Do My Blood Draw Through a Port?
Although it’s convenient to use the port for labs, there are times you may need a venipuncture (blood drawn from the arm) instead. Here are some reasons your bloodwork may not be done through your port:
There isn’t qualified staff to access the port. Certain labs require a venipuncture. It’s more expensive to use a port. There is suspected damage to the port. The port does not have blood return due to a blood clot or abnormal position.
Summary
A port is a device implanted under the skin to give access to a large vein. They are used when a person needs frequent blood draws or IV medications. They are also used to administer chemotherapy drugs that are too dangerous to give through small veins. Their main benefit is safety, and they can be left in place long-term.
A Word From Verywell
Being diagnosed with cancer and needing chemotherapy can be scary and stressful. Although the thought of getting a port may also be unnerving, it is essential for your safety and well-being during cancer treatment. Once the port site heals, you can resume normal daily activities and may not even know it’s there. In addition, having a port can alleviate the worry of being poked numerous times. Once your treatment is over, you and your oncologist can discuss the best time for the port to be removed.
