what are the side effects for porta holes for chemo patients?

Answer 1

I presume you simply mean what is referred to as a "port"--really the main thing is that it is a more permanent "access" so that they don't have to stick needles and tubes in your arms all the time to get your chemo.

The main thing is to prevent it from getting infected. This is particularly of concern since most chemo medications will weaken your immune system and you will be susceptible to even mild infections.

The other major side effect that I can think of is that you may develop clots inside your veins near the location of the port, for which you may be put on some blood thinners (Coumadin, Lovenox, etc.) should this develop.

Other than that, good luck.

Answer 2

porta holes? do you mean infusaports? those implanted little devices that the medical people can use to start an IV line without stabbing their arms a million times?
if you do here is a link to a study on it http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11030246&dopt=Abstract
but the summary is that it is the better choice for people needing long term IV access. Lower infection rates is the biggest good thing- but infection can happen. The port usually has to be replaced in 2 yrs (last I knew, new ports have different lifespans). When the port is not being used it will need to have Heprin inside it and it should be flushed on a regular basis and then have new Heprin put in it. This should be taught to the person who has the port. This prevents blood from clotting in the line and making it so things can't flow out of the line

when implanting them there are the normal risks of surgery.

I work on a cancer floor and the people who get the ports are less likely to get an infection from the port (people who get a 'central line' are much more likely to get an infection). They also like the fact that they do not have any tube hanging outside the body once the port is de-accessed. The bad part that people talk about it that you do still get a needle poke when the port is accessed to start the IV.
Talk to the Dr. who is (or has) done the port placement- that dr should explain everything to the person having the port placed. If they didn't then they need to go back up there and reteach

Answer 3

My husband had one of these in his chest. One, it's surgery, so you've got that pain to recover from. After he had it put in, they put him on Coumadin to keep clots from forming. He was really sensitive in that spot, even a shirt bothered him. It's a lot better than having to get an IV put in every time though, because the chemo basically "burns" your veins up. With his, he could taste the medicine as it was going in. And he had chemo for 3 months. After that was done, he had to go in every month for a saline flush and a heparin lock. After a year, he got it removed.
They can just stop working though. A lady at the cancer center he went to had 2, because one would still take medicine, but they couldn't draw blood from it anymore. So she had basically, one for input, one for output. And, I'm not sure if it's the same for all of them,but my husband would set off metal detectors with his. And after it's out, you just have the scar and maybe still a little sensitive in that area.

Answer 4

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