Having a chemo port may make breast cancer treatment slightly more comfortable and convenient. A port is a small device placed under the skin that provides easy access to the bloodstream and may help protect the veins from repeated needle sticks and certain chemotherapy drugs.

Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink a tumor or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Some chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously (through a vein), which can mean many needle sticks over the course of treatment. To avoid this, doctors may recommend placing a chemo port.

A port is surgically implanted before treatment and can be removed when it’s no longer needed. In this article, we’ll cover what a port is, how it works, and how to care for it.

What Are Chemo Ports?

A chemo port consists of two parts. A small reservoir (a chamber that can hold fluid) sits just under the skin and is attached to a thin tube that connects to a vein. Chemotherapy can be given through the port rather than placing a needle into a vein each time you get treatment.

Benefits of Getting a Chemo Port

There are several advantages to getting a chemo port. A chemo port may:

• Reduce the risk of skin irritation from chemotherapy medications
• Ease worry about multiple needle sticks if you have hard-to-find or damaged veins
• Have additional uses, such as giving fluids, injecting dye for imaging scans, or drawing blood for tests

“Mine looked like a marble under my skin. You do get used to it.”

— A MyBCTeam member

“I can’t imagine doing chemo without a port,” one member of MyBCTeam shared. “All the blood work and 16 rounds of chemo — it made it so much easier.”

Another member commented, “The port is a godsend. It is the magic doorway to keeping your arms protected.”

You’ll likely be able to see or feel the port’s circular outline, which is about the size of a quarter. “Mine looked like a marble under my skin,” one member said. “You do get used to it.”

Types of Chemo Ports

You may have a single or double chemo port. The most common type is a single port with one access point for a needle. A double port has two access points and may be used if you need more than one point of access for treatments or fluids.

Brand names of ports include Celsite, SmartPort, Mediport, BardPort, Infusaport, and Port-A-Cath. These ports work in similar ways.

A chemo port is a type of central venous catheter (CVC or central line), a device that makes it easier to deliver drugs or fluids directly into the bloodstream. You may also have the option of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line, a thin tube inserted into a vein, usually in the arm. Unlike an implanted port, part of a PICC line remains outside the body.

Placing Your Chemo Port

An interventional radiologist or surgeon will place the port in your chest or upper arm. Most ports are placed in the chest, about 1 inch below the collarbone. If you wear a bra, the port will usually be about 1 inch away from the strap.

Your doctor will talk with you about the best location for your port.

Your port will usually be placed during an outpatient surgery before you start chemotherapy. The port may be used the same day it is placed.

Your doctor should tell you how to prepare for surgery, including whether to remove devices such as an insulin pump. After monitors are placed, you’ll be given anesthesia to keep you comfortable or asleep during the procedure.

For a chest port, the doctor will make two incisions (cuts) — one at your chest to make a pocket for the port and a smaller one under your collarbone to help place the catheter into a vein. The doctor may also use local anesthesia (numbing medicine), and the incisions will be closed with stitches, surgical tape, or surgical glue after the port is placed. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour.

Recovery from chemo port placement is generally quick, although you may have some pain or discomfort for a day or two. Don’t remove any bandages until your doctor tells you to. When wearing a seat belt, you can use a small pillow or folded towel to reduce pressure on your incisions.

What Is It Like To Live With a Chemo Port?

Living with a port shouldn’t change your day-to-day life too much. Your healthcare team will tell you how to care for your port and when you can resume your usual activities.

Once your incisions heal, you can usually wash your skin as you normally would and return to daily activities, including exercising, swimming, or sex. Healing may take about three to four weeks. If your chest port feels sore when you sleep, lying on your back or the side opposite the port may help.

“I kept [the port] in for two years after I completed my chemo. It was so much easier to have blood drawn.”

— A MyBCTeam member

To help prevent your port from becoming blocked, your cancer care team may need to flush it when it isn’t being used. Ask your care team how often your port needs to be flushed, because recommendations may vary. If your port becomes blocked or damaged or shifts too much, it may need to be repositioned, removed, or replaced.

Issues To Watch For

Infection is a possible complication of having a chemo port. Call your oncologist or a member of your cancer care team if you develop a fever or chills or if the skin around your port changes color, swells, or becomes painful or tender.

Another potential problem is that the port can leak, such as if the tubing disconnects from the port. If the area swells up, tell your provider. In many cases, reconnecting the tubing to the port is a simple procedure.

“The port does make it go smoothly when they put the needle in. My nurse ... has me take a deep breath, then as I let it out, she inserts it. Not bad. No pain.”

— A MyBCTeam member

Using a Port for Chemotherapy

Your doctor may recommend applying a numbing cream before your port is accessed. “Don’t forget the topical pain reliever,” one member said. “It really hurts if you don’t put it on before the chemo needle is put in the port.”

Several members also suggested covering the cream with plastic wrap. “I would put it on my port and cover it with Press ’N Seal about an hour before they accessed my port,” one member commented.

During a chemotherapy treatment session, your cancer care team may draw blood through your port for blood tests. You may also receive fluids or other medications through your port along with your chemotherapy drugs.

“The port does make it go smoothly when they put the needle in,” said a member. “My nurse is wonderful and has me take a deep breath, then as I let it out, she inserts it. Not bad. No pain.”

How Is a Chemo Port Removed?

Your chemo port can remain in place for as long as you need it for treatment. Sometimes, a port may be left in place after chemotherapy is finished and used for blood tests or additional treatments if needed.

“I kept the port in for two years after I completed my chemo,” said one member. “It was so much easier to have blood drawn.”

A chemo port can be removed with a simple outpatient procedure similar to what was done to place it. The small incision usually heals without problems, although some people experience pain or other issues. If you have pain or other concerns after your port is removed, contact your healthcare team.