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. If it’s under the skin, a port is inserted to access it.
Together, the catheter and port are helpful when a care team needs intravenous (IV) access throughout an extended period of time (for example, for patients undergoing treatment regularly over many months). You’ve probably had blood drawn, and you know sometimes it’s difficult to find the vein. If you get pricked over and over, scar tissue may form, making it trickier to get to the vein. Catheters and ports provide a clean, semi-permanent access point to use for weeks, months or even years. This means fewer needle pricks. Once you no longer need it, your care team removes it.
Different types of devices may be used, depending on the length of your treatment, your ability to care for the catheter, and your treatment plan.
IV catheter: Also known as a peripheral IV, this is commonly inserted on the back of your 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.
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC, or “pick” line): This catheter is for more long-term use and is placed at the inner elbow, where you would typically give blood. A local anesthetic—or numbing agent—may be used so you don’t feel pain while a nurse or other provider inserts the catheter tube into your 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.
Central venous catheter (CVC): Similar to a PICC, this catheter 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—your 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.
Implantable port or port-a-cath: Unlike catheters, the body of a port goes under the skin, leaving a small visible bulge that the skin grows over. A surgeon inserts this into your arm or chest using conscious sedation (a light form of sedation), or a local anesthetic.
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. Your cancer care team may guide you through how to take proper care of your catheter or port.
An IV (peripheral) catheter may be cared for by your nurse in the clinic. For central line catheters, some special 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.
Your 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. You may be able to bathe, shower and swim as usual. Your care team may provide specific instructions, so you know when you 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.
Your 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 your catheter or port.
Make sure to examine the site of insertion for anything out of the ordinary. Call your care team if you notice:
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 your care team: