Port for chemo and blood tests

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juju426
juju426 Member Posts: 4
edited July 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Can anyone tell me what is the difference where the port is placed? I understand it is either placed in the chest area or the arm. The negative for chest is it very noticeable, bumps can be seen and can get black and blue, but positive it is closer the main vein and chemo is faster. Has anyone had a port placed and can tell me what they have experienced? I have the option to decide where I want it placed. I prefer in arm since I already have aches and pains from the expander on the left side, and after all is finished with chemo and radiation, I will be doing plastic surgery to get the right symmetry to match the left breast. I am wondering if the port will interfere with this process, and if once port is removed from the chest area will there be a scar?

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited July 2016

    Hi JuJu, and welcome to BCO.

    Here is where you want to go to ask all things having to do with chemo. :) The ladies there will give you great advice and insight based on their own experience. :)

    Wishing you the best with treatment. :)

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited July 2016

    juju - I have a subclavian port, up by my collarbone. It is so small that you can't tell it is there, and was placed during my mastectomy so I have no external scar - it was installed after the breast tissue was removed and before the expander was placed. This is not the norm though - usually there is an incision made, both installing and removing, so if you are concerned about a scar showing where the port is placed may be a consideration for you. Some people put on a bra and determine placement so that it doesn't interfere with the strap, but is hidden under the neckline of most clothes. Often the port is placed opposite from the side with cancer - mine is, so if you have a uni-mastectomy and expander you should not have additional discomfort there. Your port should not interfere with any subsequent surgery - I still have mine and have had multiple surgeries.

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  • juju426
    juju426 Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2016

    Thank you special K for your input on port. While the port is in for whatever amount of time is needed, is there any pain or discomfort in the chest area from where is it placed? I have aches and pains, although minor every day from the expander doing its job, I would not want any more aches and pains from the port to add in that I have to deal with. Do most people have the port put in the chest area vs arm? which is the newer direction to go or does it all depend what kind of cancer you are dealing with? breast vs another area of your body?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited July 2016

    juju - yes, most put the port in the chest opposite the cancer side. I had minor soreness right after the surgery but none after that and I have had mine for almost 6 years. I had bi-lateral mastectomy so I had expanders on both sides and did not experience any particularly additional discomfort due to that - I had expanders for quite a long time, and had and additional 15 surgeries due to recon issues with no problem for the port. How many chemo infusions will you have?

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