gms | German Medical Science

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.

Patients and 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 everyday 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 very 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 port 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 care. 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.