Treatment Types

Ports

A Small Device That Makes Treatment Access Easier

If your treatment includes chemo, regular infusions, or frequent blood draws, you might hear your care team mention a port — short for “Port-a-Cath.” This small medical device gives your team easy access to your veins without needing to poke your arms multiple times. Many people get a port to make treatment less physically stressful and more manageable.

Medical illustration showing the use of a port-a-cath under the skin for blood withdrawal from the superior vena cava.

What is a Port?

A port is about the size of a large grape. It sits under your skin and connects to a small, flexible tube (called a catheter) that goes into a nearby vein. Once it heals, you’ll just see or feel a small bump. There are different types of ports. Your care team can recommend one based on your specific treatment plan.

Why You Might Need a Port

A port can mean fewer needle sticks and less stress on your arm veins over time

You may be recommended a port if:

You’re getting chemo, immunotherapy, or frequent infusions
You need regular blood draws
The medication you need might irritate smaller veins
You’ve had trouble with IV access in the past

The port reduces your risk of:

Vein damage (e.g. from irritating chemo) or ruptures
Leaks of IV fluid from a vein and into nearby tissues

close up on a port attached to a woman's chest

How a Port Is Used

Here’s what to expect when your port is accessed during treatment:

A nurse will place a special needle through your skin into the port — this is called a “port access”
You may feel a pinch or pressure during access. Your team can prescribe a numbing cream to be applied prior to accessing the port.
During treatment, most people don’t feel anything, though some say they notice a taste or smell when the port is flushed
After your infusion, the nurse flushes the port and covers it with a small bandage
If your port isn’t in use for a while, it still needs to be flushed every few weeks to keep it working properly

Caring for Your Port

You’ll get clear instructions after your port is placed. In general:

You’ll just need to watch for signs of infection and follow your team’s care guidance
You can return to most regular activities shortly after the procedure
If your port doesn’t have a needle in, there’s no daily care required

Safety

While ports are generally safe, there are small risks of blockages, blood clots, and infections. Please discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of having a port.

When It’s Time to Remove the Port

When you finish treatment and/or your care team decides the port is no longer needed, it can be removed during a short outpatient procedure, similar to when it was placed.