Totally implantable venous access port systems for patients receiving chemotherapy for gynaecological or breast malignancies: A prospective clinical trial examining the safety, efficacy and impact on quality of life

Background: Due to the increasing use of chemotherapy, supportive drugs (i.e. bisphosphonates) or long term antibody treatment (i.e. trastuzumab) secure intravenous access is becoming increasingly important. One method is to implant a central venous access port device (CVAPD). While a CVAPD appears to be secure and practicable, few studies have investigated patients’ quality of life in relation to the devices. The aim of this study was to analyze patients’ port-related quality of life.

Methods: A prospective cohort of a total of 260 consecutive patients with gynecological or breast malignancies were asked to take part in a questionnaire-based survey including 26 questions. 232 women agreed to participate in the study. The questionnaire inquired port-related aspects of every day life and the use of a CVAPD for chemotherapy, antibody therapy and supportive cancer care. Multivariate analysis was used to identify parameters associated with satisfaction and dissatisfaction in relation to the port.

Results: Most of the women (87%) were satisfied with the use of a port to provide venous access for chemotherapy and supportive cancer care. Faster treatment procedures, good cosmetic results, and the ability to cope with the social environment had a significant influence on the degree of satisfaction. Fear of punctures, inconvenient heparinization of the port, and fear of complications were found to be negative variables associated with the method.

Conclusions: Port catheters are well accepted by patients for chemotherapy and supportive cancer. With the exception of patients in a palliative setting, the ports should be rapidly removed after the end of antineoplastic treatment in order to improve patients’ satisfaction with the procedure.