Where is the port located

Texas2shz · July 2015

I am newly diagnosed with breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma 9mm and lymph node under arm (axillary) is 2.5 cm. I will have surgery on Aug 25th but don't know if it will be a lumpectomy or mastectomy as yet. I will see the oncologist this Wednesday and begin the testing. I know that I will have chemo and probably for 52 weeks. I am wondering where they put the port for breast cancer. Chest, arm, neck? Also wondering how soon after the surgery would be normal to begin the chemo. There is a chance I will have to have chemo before surgery as well. I have been reading but some things I couldn't find anything on. One more thing, if I have radiation which is a possibility, everything I read says after chemo. Does this mean after the radiation infusion or after you have completed the 52 weeks of chemo?

Leighrh · July 2015

My port is on the rt side of my upper chest, I am pretty sure that's where most ports are... upper chest area... not sure about sides... some ppl get them on the left side as well. I started Chemo about 4 weeks after surgery, but my surgery was a lumpectomy. Radiation is usually done after you have completed all rounds of chemo, they do not do them concurrently.

exbrnxgrl · July 2015

Hi,
Sorry that you have to join us. Most ports are placed on the chest, though exact location varies. Mine is very far over, in the little hollow where my shoulder meets my chest. It is also very small and not visible unless I wear something strapless (at almost 59, this only happens at home 😉). There are some women who do have ports placed in their arm. Talk to your surgeon about placement options. Take care.

SpecialK · July 2015

Most often the port is placed in the upper chest, but I have heard some have it placed on the side or the upper, inner arm. Since you mentioned having systemic treatment for 52 weeks I assume that you are Her2+. This would mean you would be receiving Herceptin, possibly in addition to another targeted drug, along with chemo. Herceptin is not chemo, rather it is a targeted monoclonal antibody specifically for Her2+ patients that is initially given with chemo, but then continued on its own after the chemo is finished. If you have surgery first, you would usually start chemo/Herceptin within a matter of weeks depending on how you are healing, and then you would receive radiation a number of weeks after your last chemo (usually around four) while you are still getting your Herceptin infusions. If your MO decides to do neoadjuvent chemo (before surgery) it may be to add another targeted non-chemo drug called Perjeta since you are node positive. I assume this is what has prompted the discussion about doing chemo prior to surgery. If so, you would receive chemo/Herceptin/Perjeta, then have surgery, then continue with Herceptin afterward during radiation.

treelilac · July 2015

My port is on the inner elbow area but I don't actually have a well-padded pouch (one supposed advantage of putting it there). It bump to hand/body/stuffs all the time and creates tightness around the elbow area. I don't really like the placement. It also makes blood pressure monitoring tricky. My port is at the opposite side of my mx. Maybe the BS didn't want to stress the same side. She was ready to use it as soon as it healed but I developed cellulitis. I ended up not needing chemo and so far it has not been removed. It's quite visible in warm weather/short sleeves when you raise your arm.

Texas2shz · July 2015

Thank you all for your help, and all were very helpful. Since I haven't had any further testing after the biopsy I am still coming up with questions. So glad to find this place and all you. I neglected to say I am 67 too. I also am type 2 diabetic and take medicine for high blood pressure. I hope that doesn't have any reactions to chemo. Thanks again.

Kicks · July 2015

My port is about 2 fingers down from my clavicle on the left side (IBC was in right side). Your surgeon is the one to ask about where will be best in your personal case. My Bard Power Port has been in for almost 6 yes as I prefer to keep it in in case it might be needed in the future because another one could not be placed on the same side again or on the UMX side so would have to be 'somewhere else' on body which I don't want. I do go monthly for a flush.

Not sure what you mean by 'radiation infusion'. Rads are not infusions but external. They almost always (if not always) follow chemo. Neoadjuvant (pre- surgery) chemo is the SOP for IBC but is becoming more common for other types as well. Sometimes chemo will be both neoadjuvant and adjuvant (post surgery).

Do you have an appt to see your Rads Dr yet? It is a good idea to also see them before TX (treatment) starts.

Ask for an appt. with a LymphEdema Therapist before surgery (not just a PT that claims to 'know all about' ) LE. It will be a PT or an OT (Occupational Therapist - my LET guy is an OT) with additional education. Unfortunately for some of us LE does happen and often Drs are woefully ignorant about it. Not to scare you but LE can happen after any surgery especially when lymph nodes are removed or traumatic injury. The point of seeing a LET is to get baseline measurements and education about what it is, tips to try to prevent it, and what to watch for to vet to an LET for evaluation/TX IF it presents itself. IF it does present itself, the sooner to get in TX, the better to manage/control it.

Added: I was 63 when DXd and am now 69 and still NED (No Evidence of Disease). I love living life to the utmost and refuse to 'give into' not living everyday to the utmost.

Another thought - if you have 'bad veins', the port can be used for blood draws. Not all are allowed to access it, only MDs (NPs/PAs) and RNs with education for them.

Another thought - ask if the Chemo Center has 'numbing spray' or get EMLA cream to numb the area for needle insert.

Where is the port located

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