Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 1 reply
  • Views 93 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Portocath - could this be used if the nurses continue to have difficulty locating my veins?

Larowe
Offline

I have finished chemo in July and am now on 3 monthly scans and 6 weekly immunotherapy for 3 years - the nurses have awful difficulty locating my veins and I wondered what your thoughts on the use of a portocath (hopefully spelt correctly) were ? 

  • Hi there and thanks for the post

    I am sorry to hear about your ongoing treatment and the problems you have with your veins.

    It is best to discuss your options with your team. If you are only having immunotherapy every 6 weeks then any type of central line such as a picc, hickman or portocath may be a little extreme. Central lines such as these require frequent care and also come with risks that may not outweigh the benefits of 6 weekly treatment.

    Do however discuss with your doctor or specialist nurse to ask their thoughts about this.

    All the best

    Naomi

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.