Implanted port eases chemotherapy

A session on updates in the area of implanted ports (central venous access device) in cancer care was conducted in Delhi on Monday. The seminar highlighted advantages of implanted ports in cancer care. It also emphasised on how the use of an implanted port improves patient’s quality of life by minimising impact of chemotherapy drugs on patient’s veins, increasing ease of drug administration, reducing the need for frequent needle sticks and facilitating quicker blood withdrawals.

In cancer treatment, chemotherapy requires frequent injections, infusions of medication and other fluids directly into the bloodstream; implanted ports make these procedures more comfortable for the patients. In a short surgical procedure, the port, which is a small device with a hollow space inside that is sealed by a soft top, is implanted in the body of the patient; typically in the chest. It is placed completely beneath the patient’s skin, and is connected to a small flexible tube, which is inserted inside a blood vessel.

The port acts like an IV (intravenous therapy) to the bloodstream. A special needle is inserted just below the surface of your skin and into the port so that medications and fluids can be given, and blood samples withdrawn. And the patient doesn’t have to take any special care of the port.

Speaking at the session, surgical oncologist Dr Geeta Kadayaprath, from Max Cancer Centre, said, “The advantage of implanted ports is the increased quality of life and the minimal impact on the patient’s lifestyle. Compared to other centrally placed vascular access devices, ports are more likely to permit you to go about your normal day-to-day activities. The technology of implanted ports is aimed at increasing ease of patients and simplifying the cancer care where the chemotherapy treatment requires frequent and long term access to the bloodstream for medication delivery, blood withdrawals, parental nutrition and long term antibiotics. As frequent needle sticks and certain cancer medications can damage the peripheral veins in your arm, making access more difficult over time. An implanted port allows the doctor or nurse to carry out all these procedures without having to repeatedly stick your arm veins directly with a needle and also minimises the damage to your veins.”