Mom Had Ovarian Surgery -- Now Chemo -- Port-A-Cath??

Hi there,
My mom recently underwent surgery to remove her ovaries (one was the size of a softball).  Thankfully, the surgery went as well as could be expected; however, the doctor suspects there may be more cancer present.  So, he is scheduling my mom for chemotherapy.  

The doctor and my mother are considering various options to deliver the chemo.  One option they are considering is implanting a port-a-cath to apply chemo directly to the cancer site (i.e. her abdomen).  

While I have been able to find a fair amount of research on port-a-caths in general, I have yet to find a comprehensive source of information about port-a-caths as they relate to ovarian cancer.  We would be particularly interested in your opinions and the pros/cons of the option compared to others we should be considering.

Thank you for all your help.

port-a-caths are a godsend! if u rub a little emla cream to desensitize the spot u dont feel anyhting, otherwise you feel the prick in your skin; if u get iv in your arm the chemo can damage your veins. for ip i thought it was always with a port. i live in belgium & they don't do ip!

harriet

Yes please get a port a cath. My mother had the one in her arm for a few months,,, it set up infection and had to be removed. Now, she has a port a cath in her chest/shoulder area and it works wonderful. If your mom is going to take chemo this is a must for her. Also, blood can be drawn from this site instead of having to stick her so many times. Please do it, its a simple surgery and will be worth every second of it.

God Bless.

 

 

On 8/29/2007 BariKackle wrote:

Hi there,
My mom recently underwent surgery to remove her ovaries (one was the size of a softball).  Thankfully, the surgery went as well as could be expected; however, the doctor suspects there may be more cancer present.  So, he is scheduling my mom for chemotherapy.  

The doctor and my mother are considering various options to deliver the chemo.  One option they are considering is implanting a port-a-cath to apply chemo directly to the cancer site (i.e. her abdomen).  

While I have been able to find a fair amount of research on port-a-caths in general, I have yet to find a comprehensive source of information about port-a-caths as they relate to ovarian cancer.  We would be particularly interested in your opinions and the pros/cons of the option compared to others we should be considering.

Thank you for all your help.

 

An implanted port allows easy access, decreased incidence of infection and elimination  of peripheral blood draws. I have a implanted port in my chest and 3 days ago got an implanted port in my abdomen for intraperitoneal chemo. Chemo that infuses directly in the space ovarian cancer lives. I hear you may have more problems with nausea and abdominal pain BUT statistics show increased survival times. My first round of chemo I got through the port in my chest and was a piece of cake, the anti nausea meds they have these days work great, I was tired thats all.I've read alot on intraperitoneal chemo and was right upset when I couldnt get my first oncologist to Rx it, but Ive switched docs and am looking forward to having the chemo this way,,the Nat. cancer institue considers IP chemo the "GOLD STANDARD" for advanced ovarian cancer.

colleen! we've been looking for u! how's the new treatment? cant get anyone to ok it in belgium! ca125 still looking good, tho creeping up slowly, my onc thinks i'm hilarious because i worry at everything! so far my crusade has brought me no closer to a maintenance therapy, only knowledge! ok, lets have fun this week, forget about trouble! harriet