Picc line vs a in-chest port

JADot
JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Guys and Gals:

I have a quick question re: what you think of a picc line vs a in-chest port. What are your experience with them and how did you choose one over the other?

Thanks ahead!

JADot
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Comments

  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #2
    Hey,

    I wasn't given a choice. I was pretty much told the port was the option for me, and I've never had any problems. I still have it even thought I've been clear for over 4 yrs. Plan on removing it on my 5 yr aniversary.

    Good Luck,
    Stacy
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
    I had a Hickmann -- which I think is similar to picc line (external). I went this route because, at the hospital where I was receiving my treatment, it was more common -- everyone was more used to it. However, if I had it to do over again, I'm pretty sure I would chose the port-o-cath (under the skin). I had no problems with the Hickman, but I kind of hated it hanging out of me. I couldn't swim or hot-tub (!). Bit difficult to sleep. Fiddle with clothing. And a constant reminder of my patient status. I got mine removed as soon as I finished chemo. Good luck with your decision.
    Tara
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #4
    Neither!!...no that's bad....both of them are reallky ok. I had PiCC for about 5 months and now have had in chest port for about 6 months. From My experiences Pros and Cons are:

    PICC
    Pro- no needle prick ever to access, possible less chance of infection and blood clots that in chest port - but I've acutally been told by some nurses that the risks are similar.

    Cons - Hangs out of you, constant reminder to you and others that you are a cancer paitent. Bandage had to be changed weekly. developed severe dermatitis and itching uder dressing that was later able to get somewhat under control.

    In -chest Port

    Pro - mostly hidden, only need to be fluched once a month, can swim/ shower normally

    COns - possibly slight higher risk of blood infection and clotting. Neeldle prick needed to access. Only chemo nurses should access port. NOT ALL nurses know that protocol for how to use these ports. It is important that they get flushed and packed with heparin at least every 4 weeks and when they aren't beeing used even for a short amount of time..

    Good Luck-
    I'm mostly happy with my in chest port especially after the dermatitisis and weekly dressing change of the PICC

    Maria
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #5
    Hey -
    My onc really thought the port was the way to go.I was fine with it - a little bulge in my breast; my surgeon (who didn't want me to have another scar and thought the pic would be better) wanted me to feel most comfortable, so he kept it (the port) lower than the shoulder region. The only few negatives for me were these: It was very painful to be put in - took over a week or so to be able to think abaout starting chemo with it; it caught on my seat belt (every time I drove) and that was really painful; removal was hard - my surgeon called it a barbacle and had to truly pry it out of my chest....I had pain the area for at least a month or so. Still - if you can believe it - i am incredibly happy that I had it. My onc thought the pic line would be problematic with blouses and catching on things; the port never was. It was sore and that was about it. I had it out about four months after chemo stopped...and coould not wait for the bloddy thing to be taken out! I hope this has helped a bit. Aside from a somewhat nasty scar (going in and out of the same place twice) I am happy that I had it. All the best to you - Maura
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #6
    I've had both and I swear by the port. It does show a bulge and it does require a needle stick, but the bulge is just one more sign that I'm fighting this and going to win and they can give you a numbing cream to apply about 1 hour before any needle prick which makes it comfortable.
    With the PICC line I had to keep my arm dry when I tried to take a shower and although I could bend at the elbow I always knew it was there. Of course, maybe I just hated the picc line because I was very sick with the chemo radiation combo and that's all I can think of when I think of the picc.
    Mary
  • heima
    heima Member Posts: 6
    #7
    I have had a port since October of 2003. I haven't had any problems with it. It sure make treatment easy. I would take it any time
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #8
    hi,

    I work where the picc lines and ports are put in, I chose a picc line. It is a little more maintainence than a port. It needs to get flushed daily. If i had to do it over, (I hope I don't), I would chose a port because it is all under the skin.

    Good luck

    Maureen
  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296
    #9
    Hi JADot!!!
    I am getting a port this Tuesday. Port in around 7:30 am and chemo begins around 10:00am same day. Everybody has told me to get a port. Terri
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #10
    Hi: My husband has a port and was initailly very leary of it..after going through 6 months of needle pricks in his hands and arms- the one "prick" when the access the port is easier...he hated the look of the PICC with the dressing and tubing...with the port he really has no restrictions at all-
    Bev
  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    #11
    Thanks everyone!!! I think I'll get a port. I was opting for a picc line earlier, but now I think that if I do chemo, a port is the way to go. You guys are so great to share your experience with me!
  • timlou
    timlou Member Posts: 60
    #12
    terril said:

    Hi JADot!!!
    I am getting a port this Tuesday. Port in around 7:30 am and chemo begins around 10:00am same day. Everybody has told me to get a port. Terri

    Everyone's opinion counts my husband had his port put in the same day he started chemo, they put the access tube in so he didn't have to be stuck at the infusion center that first time. It has been in 18 months now and the once a month port flush is a breeze. My daughter had her port removed on the same day my husband's went in she hated it felt it was alien to her and couldn't wait for it to come out. She has breast cancer and will have it reinserted if she needs to we certainly hope not. Tim doesn't mind his at all. Louise
  • believer1957
    believer1957 Member Posts: 3
    #13
    JADot said:

    Thanks everyone!!! I think I'll get a port. I was opting for a picc line earlier, but now I think that if I do chemo, a port is the way to go. You guys are so great to share your experience with me!

    Port vs pic line
    I also thank you all/i am now comfortable getting my port in Tomorrow Fri June 8th,2012/hope to be posting good news after 6 treatments/des
  • believer1957
    believer1957 Member Posts: 3
    #14
    JADot said:

    Thanks everyone!!! I think I'll get a port. I was opting for a picc line earlier, but now I think that if I do chemo, a port is the way to go. You guys are so great to share your experience with me!

    Port vs pic line
    I also thank you all/i am now comfortable getting my port in Tomorrow Fri June 8th,2012/hope to be posting good news after 6 treatments/des
  • believer1957
    believer1957 Member Posts: 3
    #15
    JADot said:

    Thanks everyone!!! I think I'll get a port. I was opting for a picc line earlier, but now I think that if I do chemo, a port is the way to go. You guys are so great to share your experience with me!

    Port vs pic line
    I also thank you all/i am now comfortable getting my port in Tomorrow Fri June 8th,2012/hope to be posting good news after 6 treatments/des
  • Momof2plusteentwins
    Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
    #16
    believer1957 said:

    Port vs pic line
    I also thank you all/i am now comfortable getting my port in Tomorrow Fri June 8th,2012/hope to be posting good news after 6 treatments/des

    Port definitely!
    I got a port initially and started my 5FU 24/7, it started leaking the 2nd week in the middle of the night all over my skin. Luckily it was going at 1.5 ml/hr but it did burn my skin. The port would get kinked, it was positional so couldn't be used. I ended up getting a picc for my remaining 4 weeks, that was a real pain, I had to wrap it everyday to take a shower, it is hot here in Georgia - so wearing short sleeves, it would hang out. Then I got a blood clot in my upper extremity after it swelling and hurting, so now I'm on blood thinners, Lovenox shots twice a day. In the hospital for 2 days with blood clot. Now I still have port which doesn't work, picc is gone and surgery June 19th. Hopefully can get another port on right side, for 24 weeks of chemo after surgery. Neither one is guaranteed problem free but I would rather have port.
    Sandy
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #17
    The Port is safer and has
    The Port is safer and has less infections. Both have a risk of user error vs one has more failures then the other. The Port being under the skin has less risk of infection. It was an easy surgery in and out. Truthfully it hurt more abrading the skin as I lost weight. (It was not much more of a nuisance.)

    Best Always, mike
  • dmj101
    dmj101 Member Posts: 527 Member
    #18
    go for the Power option if given one
    I have a Bard Power Port and have never had any issues..
    I understand there is also a Power PIC. I had a PIC while in the hospital as they didn't want to use my port for some reason.. In the main hospital they didn't have the proper fish hook to access it...

    Power Port was the best decission I ever made.. very happy with it.. I am not sure if a PIC would be in the arm for you for these purposes. mine was and I would think it would be obtrusive and difficult to get dressed arround..Whereas the Port is in the chest and easy to dress with and not very noticable unless you point it out..(want to laugh... it is so not obvious that my once boyfriend(if I can call him that) kissed it as he just thought it was a scar till I told him what it was- then he stayed clear of it- I laughed.. I thought it was funny)
  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    #19
    I love my port!
    My onc said you're getting one, but since I couldn't get one in time for the first round I got a PICC line. Soon after I received my port and I love it!

    The PICC line is inconvenient--you have to wrap your arm to shower and forget swimming, at least for me. My cat likes to knead me and I would have to be really careful of that as well. PICC lines should be replaced every year or so, ports last longer as long as you get it flushed monthly. With my port I can swim, shower without worry. It is a visible bump on your chest wall with a scar from the incision. If you like strapless or thin straps it will show, no doubt about that. I was self-conscious at first, by could care less now. I've had mine almost 5 years without a problem. Your PICC line is going to show as well, although they gave me a mseh sock to cover it so I wouldn't snag the PICC line on anything.

    Good luck to you whatever your choose.
  • sammer4u
    sammer4u Member Posts: 37
    #20
    Hmm
    I was not given a choice, I had a port put in. However, after about 5 weeks they took it out and put in a PICC line. I had empatic fliud coming out the port after and during access to it. Picc line is now in and has been for 17 weeks. Port is nice, but you feel the needle go in and have to sue numbing cream. PICC line has to be flushed daily and cannot get wet as others have stated.

    I actually do not have a preference either way.. however Ihave had less problems with the PICC! I hate needles and probably the way I would go if i had to do it again! I felt nothing with the Port install, I felt everything with the PICC install.. I was awake for the PICC just a local but it was not enough!
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #21
    Egad.... This is an old post!

    I have had a PICC line since 2011. I have -0- problems with
    the PICC line. The "TagaDerm" plastic shield keeps water off,
    and the entire area safe from contamination. There is no reason
    not to swim or shower with a PICC line!

    Any problem with a "port" will require an operation to remove
    the port. A problem with a PICC line is usually resolved with
    a flush, but when a flush is not successful, it is fairly simple for
    the "interventional radiology" department to fix or replace the
    defective PICC.

    It depends on the use of the port or PICC. If you're going to
    do chemo on a regular basis, a port would be better. If the
    access is for a daily infusion of hydration, etc (as I have),
    then a PICC line would be more suitable.

    I have had a PICC line since Feb of 2011. It is doing fine,
    and infusions are no problem. There is no "needle stick" as
    there is with a port, since the connection is akin to a common
    IV connection.

    The port and PICC utilize the same veins at the same locations
    for the infusion. The only difference is that the "port" includes
    a storage device to allow the meds to be infused at a slower rate.

    As a patient, you have the right to decide what you desire to
    be placed within your body, and the right to ask as many
    questions that will provide answers to help you make your
    choice.

    -YOU- have to be your own advocate! It is your life, not
    the physician's or his staff.

    Best wishes for good health!

    John

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