Mesothelioma Circle

Mesothelioma Information and Help - Mesothelioma CircleMesothelioma Circle

  • Search

(855) 866-MESO (6376)

  • Mesothelioma Facts
    • Mesothelioma Symptoms
    • Mesothelioma Diagnosis
    • Mesothelioma Prognosis
    • Mesothelioma Types
      • Mesothelioma Cell Types
    • Mesothelioma Stages
    • Mesothelioma Causes
  • Treatment Guide
    • Mesothelioma Surgery
    • Mesothelioma Chemotherapy
    • Mesothelioma Radiation
    • Multimodal Treatment
      • Mesothelioma Photodynamic Therapy
    • Mesothelioma Palliative Care
    • Treatment Side Effects
    • Ask Your Doctor
    • Find a Doctor
    • Mesothelioma Glossary
  • Clinical Trials
    • FREE Clinical Trial Matching Service
    • Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
      • Keytruda Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
      • Opdivo Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
      • Tremelimumab Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
      • Tecentriq Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
    • Clinical Trials and Insurance Coverage
    • iMig Videos
  • Legal Help
    • Common Legal Questions
    • Choosing a Firm
    • Kazan Law
    • Settlements & Verdicts
    • Mesothelioma Settlements and Trials
    • Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts
    • Reasons to Hire Kazan Law
    • History of Asbestos Litigation
    • Taking Care of Personal Matters
    • Unscrupulous Lawyers
  • Veterans & Mesothelioma
    • Navy Veterans
    • Army Veterans
    • Air Force Veterans
    • Marine Corps Veterans
    • Coast Guard Veterans
    • Vietnam Veterans
    • Iraq Veterans
    • Legal Support
    • Health Care Benefits
  • Blog
  • Contact

Port Implant for Mesothelioma Treatment? How to Decide

August 20, 2014  

mesothelioma treatmentAlmost every mesothelioma patient needs to decide on whether or not to get a port implant to help make their mesothelioma treatment procedures easier.

During your mesothelioma treatment, your health care team frequently needs access to your veins to give you treatments such as chemotherapy, blood transfusions, antibiotics, or intravenous (IV) fluids. They may also need to take samples of your blood for testing. Getting a port implanted takes away the guesswork about where to stick the needle.

Mesothelioma caregiver Debbie Clemmons describes in her book about her late husband Randy Brady’s treatment, how he was like “a pincushion” before he decided to get a port implanted.

“Last Monday we were successful in getting a port into Randy. It looks like a doorbell under his skin. The line goes right into a major artery,” she writes. “On Tuesday, we had the first chemo treatment and it went smooth. The port really made a big difference!”

Is a port right for you? Here are a few questions and answers to help you decide.

What is a port?   It’s a surgically implanted disc just under the skin creating an opening about 2.5–4cm (1–1.5in) in diameter.

Where does the port go? A port usually is inserted into the upper chest just below the collarbone or upper arm. Talk to your doctor about your activities and clothing preferences to find the best spot for you.

How is the port inserted? A port is surgically inserted (tunneled) under the skin of the chest, or sometimes the upper arm, by a surgeon or radiologist. You will receive either local anesthesia or be sedated.

Is the port visible? A port sits entirely underneath the skin. You may be able to see and/or feel a small bump in your chest or arm, but you won’t see the tip of the catheter outside the body.

How does the port work? Before each “access” or needle insertion, the skin over the port is cleansed and may be numbed using a cream. A special needle is inserted through the skin into the rubber seal. This allows blood to be drawn or treatment to be given into the catheter that is connected to the port.

Is there a risk of infection? Because ports are completely under the skin, there is low risk of infection. But extra care will be needed immediately after it is inserted until the incision heals.

Who pays for the port? Ports are usually covered by Medicare and Medicaid but private health insurance policies vary. Be sure to check with your insurance company prior to getting a port.

More information at Cancer.net and Veins For Life.

Filed Under: Mesothelioma Treatment Tagged With: mesothelioma, mesothelioma patient, mesothelioma treatment, port implant

Click here to use our FREE clinical trial matching tool

mesothelioma clinical trials

Get Help Finding the Right Clinical Trial

  • Which of the following best describes you?*
  • Disclaimer: The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Categories

  • Asbestos Exposure
  • Caregiver Support
  • Clinical Trials
  • Financial Help
  • Foundation
  • Inspiration
  • Legal Assistance
  • Mesothelioma Research
  • Mesothelioma Treatment
  • Nutrition + Exercise
  • Treatment News
  • Uncategorized
  • Videos

Recent Posts

  • Immunotherapy Gene Editing Breakthrough Electrifies the Scientific Community
  • Lung Cancer Specialist Nurses Increase Patient Survival
  • Potential Mesothelioma Metastasis Treatment Goes to Clinical Trial
  • Mesothelioma Pain Management Guide
  • Clinical Trial of Olaparib for Mesothelioma

Questions about mesothelioma? Call (855) 866-MESO (6376) now

Thank you for visiting Mesothelioma Circle

This website is sponsored by the law firm Kazan McClain Satterley & Greenwood, A Professional Law Corporation (also referred to on this site as “Kazan Law”). We are a nationwide law firm that focuses on representing the victims of asbestos exposure.

We sponsor this site in order to provide resources and information about mesothelioma, its treatment and causes as well as how to pursue legal remedies. For more information about our firm, please click here.


  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
© 2023 Mesothelioma Circle. All Rights Reserved.