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During Treatment

What is an Implanted Port?

An implanted port (also called a “port” or “port-a-cath”) is a type of central venous catheter. It is used to inject medicines, fluids, or other products directly into your vein as part of your treatment (called intravenous or IV therapy).

Why Do I Need a Port?

Your doctor or nurse may recommend a port for you if:

  • You need IV therapy many times over 6 months or longer
  • You have small veins and need multiple pokes to get an IV in
  • Your IV treatment must be given through a port
Your nurse can use your port to give:

 

  • Fluids
  • Medicines, like chemotherapy and antibiotics
  • A blood transfusion
  • IV nutrients (food) — this is called Parenteral Nutrition

Some implanted ports can also be used for high speed injection during CT scan or MRI test (special kind of x-ray). These ports are called “power-injectable ports”. Your nurse will let you know if you have a power-injectable port.

How Long Can I Have My Port?

Your port can stay in for the whole time you are on IV treatment, as long as it is working well and shows no signs of infection. Your doctor will request to have your port taken out when you don’t need it anymore.

Parts of the Port

How Can I Prepare for My Port?

  • You will get a blood test done before the port is put in.
  • Do not eat and drink 4 hours before your procedure.
    • You may have sips of water to take your regular medicine.
  • Tell your doctor if you are taking any blood thinner medicine (such as Aspirin and Fragmin). Your doctor may tell you to hold this medicine before your port insertion. They will let you know when to start it again after the insertion.
  • Shower before coming to your appointment.

It’s not safe for you to drive home. Have a family, friend, or taxi drive you home.

What to Bring to the Hospital

  • Bring your health card
  • Carry a list of all medicines you take regularly
  • Leave anything of value at home, such as jewelry
  • If you have diabetes, bring your glucometer and a lunch/snack.

What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

  • Your port will be inserted in the Interventional Radiology department in Medical Imaging.
  • The medical imaging staff will ask you to change into a hospital gown.
  • A medical imaging staff person explains the procedure to you and answers any questions you have. You are asked to sign a consent form before the procedure can start.
  • You will be offered a medicine to help you relax for the procedure (like Ativan).
  • You lie on a procedure table and stay awake while the port is put in. This usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
  • The doctor will:
    • make 2 small incisions (cuts), one at the base of your neck and another on your chest about 2 to 3 centimetres below your collarbone.
    • insert the port into the opening on your chest.
    • access the port with a port needle to make sure the port is working properly. The needle is left in place if you need treatment within the next 24 hours. Otherwise, the port will not be used for 1 week while it heals.
  • Dissolvable stitches and steri-strips (white tape) are used to help heal your incision. To prevent infection your incisions are covered with a clear dressing. The dressing needs to be changed the next day.
  • You will then go to a recovery room to be monitored by the healthcare team.

After Your Port Is Inserted

What Else Should I Know About My Port?

  • Your port will stay in place as long as you need it.
  • Your port does not affect CT scans, x-rays or MRI tests. If you need one of these tests, it is safe to have it.
  • Your port must be flushed (cleaned) after each use and once every month when it is not in use. This timing is subject to change based on the organization providing care.
  • Flushing the port keeps the port clear of blood and medicine.
  • After all your treatment is complete, ask your doctor when your implanted port can be taken out.

When Will My Port Be Taken Out?

Your port will be taken out once you no longer need it for treatments. It is taken out in Interventional Radiology. The port may also be taken out if you get an infection or if it is not working.

Once the port is out, a dressing will be put on to cover the site. The nurse will tell you when to take off the dressing, and when you can shower.

Watch a video about port insertion from University Health Network (UHN) Patient Education.

UHN Port-a-Cath Video

When to Contact Your Healthcare Team

When to Call Your Doctor or Go to the Emergency Department

  • Fever of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher, with or without chills
  • Trouble breathing or shortness of breath, with or without dizziness
  • Sudden pain in your chest, especially when you are getting medicine through the port
  • Pain, swelling, redness, or drainage (fluid) around your incision (cut)
  • Swelling of the neck, face, or arm on the side where the port is inserted
A woman holding a cell phone making a phone call.

For Questions About Your Port

Your homecare team (Ontario Health atHome) should be able to answer most questions about your port. Contact your homecare coordinator directly.

If you have questions about your cancer care, or side effects from your cancer/treatment, you can call your cancer healthcare team.

WRHN Cancer Centre call centre
8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
519-749-4380

 

CareChart Digital Health

If you need support outside of the cancer centre’s business hours you will need to contact CareChart Digital Health:
1-877-681-3057
www.carechart.ca

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About This Resource

Author: Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program

Revised: March 2026

PEM#: WRHNCC0049

Download this Resource (PDF)

Adapted with permission from “What to expect when getting an implanted port” (2025), UHN Patient Education & Engagement. Use this resource for your information only. It does not replace medical advice from your doctor or other healthcare professionals.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cancerwaterloowellington.ca

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