An implantable port is a thin, soft, silicone tube with a small reservoir (port) attached to it. Implantable ports are sometimes called portacaths or subcutaneous ports. You can have chemotherapy and other drugs through the port. It can stay in place until all your chemotherapy treatment is finished.

A oncosurgeon will insert your port. They insert the port under the skin, usually on your chest, and the attached tube goes into a vein near the heart.

You can see a small bump underneath your skin where the port is. A special [Huber] needle is passed through your skin into the port to give your chemotherapy into the vein.
If it is not used regularly, the port is flushed every four to six weeks to stop it blocking. Contact your doctor if there is redness, swelling or pain near or around the port, or if you don’t feel well. These may be symptoms of an infection or a clot.



The catheter is a thin, soft, flexible tube made of silicone. It is usually put in (tunnelled) under the skin of your chest or sometimes in your arm. One end of the tube goes into a large vein just above your heart. The other end connects to the port. The port is a disc that’s about 2.5–4cm (1–1.5in) in diameter. It goes under the skin on your upper chest or arm. You will be able to see and feel a small bump on your skin where the port is.

You can go home with the port in. It can be left in for weeks, months or, for some people, years. A port may be useful if doctors or nurses find it difficult to get needles into your veins.
How the implantable port is put in?
A specialist oncosurgeon will put your port in the operating theatre. You will usually be able to go home on the same day. You may like to discuss the position of the port with your doctor before it is put in.


The port will be put under the skin in the area below the collar bone. The catheter attached to the port will be tunnelled under your skin to the smaller incision, where it will be put into a vein in your chest. The incisions are then stitched. You will have a chest x-ray to make sure the port is in the right place.


How is the implantable port used?

Just before you have your treatment or blood test, the skin will be cleaned. The nurse will then push a special needle, called a Huber needle, through the skin and into the port. This shouldn’t be painful, but you may feel a pushing sensation.

Treatment can then be given directly into the bloodstream, or blood samples can be taken.

After the port insertion, you get a card or label declaring that the particular person has a port. It is useful at airports for entry during metal detectors. Don’t forget to get it from the hospital or your doctor.

Caring for your implantable port: port flushing
After each treatment, a small amount of fluid is flushed into the catheter so it doesn’t get blocked. The port will need to be flushed every four to six weeks if it is not being used regularly.

How the implantable port is removed
When you don’t need the port any more, it will be taken out. This is usually done by a doctor. A local anaesthetic is used to numb the area. The port will sometimes be removed under a general anaesthetic.

The doctor  will make a small incision over the site of the port and remove the port and the catheter. They will gently pull the catheter out of the vein. The wound is then stitched and covered with a small dressing.

Advantages of port:

• Avoids the repeated IV cannula insertion
• Avoids the severe thrombophlebitis of upper limb veins
• Keeps both hands free during chemotherapy giving ease and comfort
• Less painful and more patient tolerance
• Retains patent native veins.

Can be used for administration of IV fluids, medications, radiocontrast, blood [especially if power ports are used]