Management of Chemoport – Associated Pancytopenia in Breast Cancer Patients : Clinical Insights From a Case Series

Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD), also known as Central venous catheters (CVC) or chemoports, are essential in cancer treatment,especially those requiring long term chemotherapy.Since their introduction in 1980s,they have significantly reduced complications associated with chemotherapy administration.However,have their own set of complications which can be debilitating at times.Port infections are common,followed by catheter-related thrombosis. Factors that might complicate chemoport insertion are complex.In our hospital,out of 28 chemoport insertions over two years, six patients required chemoport removal, three patients due to pancytopenia. All three were right sided breast cancer, two metastatic and one early breast cancer in a pregnant lady. They had persistent fever not relieved with intravenous antibiotics and growth factors.Chemoport tip culture revealed pathogenic organisms in two patients and no organisms in one patient.Here we present our insights from these three patients with review of literature.