Chemo Port Implant: Does it really help ease the process of chemo?

Hi @sos2000. From my own experience with several rounds of chemo, having a chemo port definitely makes the process much easier and less painful than having needles constantly inserted into your veins. Chemotherapy can also cause veins changes, making them harder and more difficult to access with a traditional IV needle. So, depending on how many sessions you’ll be having, from my experience with chemo, having the port was the way to go.

There are several types of ports. Depending on your needs, your doctor will choose what will benefit you most. Here is an article from Mayo regarding ports and their benefits.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy/about/pac-20385033
There’s also a discussion in the forum about how to prepare for getting a chest port (or Picc line, or Hickmann) for chemo with other members who have gone through chemo.

How to prepare for getting a chest port for chemo?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-to-prep-for-when-getting-a-chest-port-for-chemo/
Ports are generally safe with few issues. There can be a risk of infection but that is minimal. Port care is generally taken care of by the nurses. However, if your port is in long term, there may be instructions for how to care for them at home and how to flush them with a special syringe. But they really do simplify the entire chemo process.

Do you have reservations for having a port installed? How many chemo sessions are you expecting?

Agree. This is one of those medical things that sounds very scary, but in reality is relatively easy.

Stage 3C colon cancer survivor here. For colon cancer chemo, Mayo gave me 12 sessions of the FOLFOX6 protocol over 8 months. Some chemotherapies are extremely strong so it is preferred to infuse the chemicals in a port to a major vein which has a lot of blood flow.

The short burst of pain when they insert into the port is a LOT LESS pain than having them try to insert into a vein. In my case, they used the port for other things like blood tests and contrast media for scans.

My port was installed outpatient in March 2021 under anesthesia and I don't remember the surgery at all. Minor discomfort after the surgery for a week. I had mine removed in October 2023, a simple and short outpatient surgery with local anesthetic. I had it removed because it appears I won't need further chemo (yay!) and it had to be flushed monthly requiring a 1 hour trip one way to the infusion center.

So, in a word... recommended.

The port will make everything easier! And you don’t need to have ANY pain at all when they access the port. You should be getting a tube of lidocaine, and about 45 minutes before your appointment apply a thick layer of lidocaine over the port and cover it with a little square of Saran Wrap. It keeps the medicine where you want it, and they’ll just wipe it off. The area will be COMPLETELY numb, and you won’t feel the needle at all! I promise you! Good luck - you got this! (Stage 3 colorectal cancer with 16 cancerous lymph nodes)😘

Thank you for taking time to share info and your experience. Really appreciate it. I’ll be seeing an oncologist next month and I’m trying to gather and learn as much prior to the initial appointment.
Thank you again!

Thank you for sharing your experience. Your info really helped me understand what the port implant is. I was a little skeptical about having another surgery(outpatient) to implant it. I’ll give it a try.

Thank you for sharing your experience. Appreciate it very much.
Are you satisfied with chemotherapy result?

Well, I’m back to work after 11 months of medical leave. Last 3 Signatera tests were negative for any cancer cells in my blood. I have my first 6 month scan in February.
Chemo left me with neuropathy in my feet - some numbness but no pain. And my sense of taste is off and slightly metallic. But with 16 out of 24 lymph nodes removed being cancerous, I really had no decision to make. If you go on the FOLFOX regime, watch for symptoms from the Oxaliplatin. I stopped that drug after 5 rounds because of the neuropathy in my feet. It can cause some damage.

Yes, the oxaliplatin was awful... you lasted longer on it than I. Besides the neuropathy you cited, for me it also caused dizziness and faintness.

Once I got severe vertigo, collapsed in the infusion center and got a quick wheelchair ride to the ER. Whee!!! That was the end of the oxaliplatin!

(I can laugh about it now...)

Lest this scare others, it was an unusual event and the oncology team did adjust me chemo accordingly.

Have you found anything that helps the neuropathy? I also crashed one day when I went in to get my pump removed. My blood pressure crashed and I got taken back and given IV fluids.(but to be completely transparent,‘I had eaten some THC banana bread my niece made for me that morning, not knowing that THC lowers your blood pressure a lot!🤦‍♀️)

Yes!!!! It will save your veins! Mine does irritate me from time to time but I have gotten to the stage where I can forget for a time that its there. I named mine to help me get past the thought of something foreign in me. Stupid Stasia… I also named my chemo ball that comes home with me shorty and the Seroma (pocket of fluid) under my incision was named Samantha. I had my sister Cricut a turtle onto my chemo bag so I felt less like a patient and more like a person who wears an ugly fanny pack. But definitely do whatever will make this journey you are on more palatable. Its all about you. I have deep rolling veins that are thin and burst. They won’t touch em. I am petrified of needles to boot so the port is less scary after you get used to it. They give you numbing cream to put on so you don’t feel anything when they hook you up. Its worth it.