This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by
Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on September 21, 2021.
Ports and catheters are used in a number of medical treatments. For cancer patients, they may be used during surgery, for fluid removal, to give food or administer chemotherapy medicine.
Catheters are flexible, thin tubes inserted through the skin to provide direct access to a patient’s vein. Sometimes there’s an access point taped down to the outside of the skin, and other times the catheter goes completely under the skin.
When a catheter is located under the skin, a port is inserted to access it. While a catheter is typically used temporarily, a port is surgically implanted under the skin and may be used for long periods of time.
When a patient has a port inserted for chemotherapy administration, providers are able to deliver medication through it by inserting a needle directly into the center of the port, known as the septum. The medication then flows through the catheter and into the patient’s vein.
Together, catheters and ports are helpful when a care team needs to deliver medications via intravenous (IV) access for an extended period of time (for example, for patients undergoing treatment regularly over many months). Anyone who’s had blood drawn knows that sometimes it’s painful and difficult to find the vein with a syringe. If a patient gets pricked over and over, scar tissue may form, making it trickier to get to the vein. Catheters and ports provide clean, semi-permanent access points to use for weeks, months or even years. This means fewer needle pricks. Once the patient no longer needs such a device, the care team removes it.
Different types of devices may be used, depending on the length of the patient's treatment, his or her ability to care for the catheter, and the treatment plan.
Also known as a peripheral IV, this is commonly inserted on the back of the patient's hand by a nurse or other medical professional. An IV is for the short term, staying in for a maximum of two to three days. It’s removed upon leaving the care facility.
A PICC line (pronounced “pick” line) is for more long-term use and is placed at the inner elbow, where a blood draw would typically occur. A local anesthetic—or numbing agent—may be used so the patient doesn't feel pain while a nurse or other provider inserts the catheter tube into the vein with a needle. Once the needle is removed, the tube stays in the vein. The rest of the catheter is on the outside of the body. The PICC may be left in for weeks to months.
Similar to a PICC, a central venous catheter (CVC) provides longer-term access to blood vessels, but it’s inserted under the collarbone. “Central” means the catheter goes in a wider blood vessel much closer to the main blood supplier—the heart. A light sedation or local anesthetic is used during the insertion. The CVC may be left in for weeks to months. It’s also known as a central line or Hickman catheter.
Unlike catheters, the body of an implantable port, or port-a-cath, goes under the skin, leaving a small visible bulge that the skin grows over. A surgeon inserts this into the patient's arm or chest using conscious sedation (a light form of sedation), or a local anesthetic.
The care team may recommend a catheter because:
A port may be a good idea because:
As with any medical procedure, there are risks associated with getting a catheter or port.
For all catheters, it’s possible that these problems may happen during insertion:
For central line catheters that are threaded toward the heart:
Problems that may potentially develop after insertion of a catheter or port are infections, blood clots or blockages, and movement or leakage of the catheter or port. Specifically:
Ports and catheters, though accomplishing similar things, require different care. The cancer care team may guide the patient through how to take proper care of the catheter or port.
An IV (peripheral) catheter may be cared for by the nurse in the clinic. For central line catheters, some specialized care is required. The outside of the catheter is typically dressed with bandages to ensure that it stays in place and is comfortable. This dressing cannot get wet and should be covered when showering or bathing. The skin needs to be regularly flushed around the site of insertion to prevent infection.
The care team may explain general care for central line catheters. Typically:
Since the port is entirely under the skin, the site of insertion heals over. The implanted port should be flushed out about once a month when not in use, but otherwise doesn’t require any special attention. The patient may be able to bathe, shower and swim as usual. The care team may provide specific instructions, so the patient knows when he or she can return to normal activities after its placement. A special needle is used to access the port when medication delivery or a flushing procedure is needed. This feels the same as any needle going into the skin, so it may be a little uncomfortable.
The care team may provide specific instructions about how often to flush the area with fluids, when and how to change the bandage, and other recommended care for the catheter or port.
Make sure to examine the site of insertion for anything out of the ordinary. Call the care team if any of the following occur:
Catheters are removed by a medical professional. The tube is lightly tugged on until it loosens and then carefully pulled out. Usually, this is painless, and no numbing medication is necessary.
Ports are inside of the body, so removal requires a small cut in the skin. Central catheters in the chest have a larger entry site, so they also may need more careful removal. A local anesthetic or conscious sedation may be used.
Below are a few questions to consider asking when discussing options with the care team: