Venous access for mid- and long-term anticancer treatment

The choice of adequate venous access device is a key issue in oncology since anticancer drug therapy is administered via the parenteral

route predominantly. An increasing importance of this topic has been observed with the expansion of various types of venous catheters

available. In some cases, long-term therapy places a heavy burden on the peripheral venous system because many substances have

unsatisfactory properties for peripheral administration – mainly the pH, osmolality and chemical structure. A long-term central venous

access device offers a way to spare the peripheral venous system, prevents extravasation, and can be used for blood sampling in most

cases. In addition to ports and tunneled venous access devices, there is a renaissance in insertion of peripherally inserted central catheters

(PICCs) that meet the criteria for a permanent central venous access device. The indication criteria for the insertion of various kinds of

devices are presented, taking into account the patient characteristics as well as the type and duration of the treatment administered. As

part of the Society for Ports and Permanent Catheters activities, several areas of oncology care have been defined where the insertion

of PICCs is preferred to other types of venous catheters.

Keywords: long-term venous access device, PICC, port, anticancer treatment