When should you remove your port

[Tarsal69]

When is it time to have my port removed when I mentioned it to my onc nurse she said I should leave it in for awhile after my chemo is finished an when I asked my onc he said I can take it out right away after my chemo is completed which I was glad to hear but still nervous because I don't want to have it removed an then have to have another one put in

[plastikos]

I think the most common practice is to remove it after 1-2 years the period of time when theoretically recurrence is highest.

[Annemiek]

I had my port removed a monthnafter my chemo was finished, as my onc said it was prone to infection. The surgeon who removed it assured me I could have another one put in if required, ( sure hope not)
I'm glad it's out, makes me less bionic woman

Congrats on finishing and happy rcovery!!!
Annemiek

[Deb m]

My husband had his removed about one month after completing chemo also. His surgeon also to him that they would just put in a new one if needed. When my husband finished, he didn't want any reminders of chemo. He said it made him sick every time he looked at it, hence he wanted it out now!

deb m

[DebZ]

I had mine taken out one month after chemo at suggestion of surgeon. He didn't say anything about infection, just said Oh you don't need that anymore. Cancer was back two months later and had to put it back in on opposite side. Not fun and emotionally draining. If I ever get NED again, I'm leaving it in for a year or two!

[Tarsal69]

Thanks for your replies still confused on what to do lol hope for best 62 male 111a 2 of ten nodes positive cea 7.4 pre laparoscopic sigmoid resection on 8/5/2015 started 6 folfox clinical trial October 9 th looking forward to being done two more to go t3n2 mo clean cat an pet scan pre sx other than sigmoid colon

[Tarsal69]

Nb1 I justfound out not n2

[kiwiinoz]

I think my answer would be take it out when you feel comfortable doing so. Some people like to know the recurrence risk factors and keep it in until they reduce to a level that they feel comfortable with. Some like bind ignorance and remove it straight after chemo.
In my situation I kept it in for 2 years to when I felt the risk had reduced to a level where the annoyance of having it in and having to have it flushed so frequently was greater than the annoyance that I may experience if I should have a recurrence and need to have it put back in again.

[justin case]

Not knowing what stage of cancer you had, I cannot presume to give you an answer. Perhaps, if you were stage 1, or 2 it might well be best if you take it out after your last chemo, (due to infection), otherwise it might be wise, to leave it in for a few more months. This is something, your oncologist and surgeon, should agree upon.
Michael

[LB10]

My onc and surgeon said 1 year after end of treatment. I ended up having it out two weeks after my surgery. I was hospitalized with a post op infection. The port was not infected but surgeon thought it prudent to remove. I was thrilled. Hated that thing.

[VodKanockers]

My onc wanted me to remove the port shortly after chemo ended due to risk of infection and clotting. My last round of chemo was in mid-Oct. I decided to keep it through reversal surgery in November and post op labs in December. Just had it taken out yesterday.

It was weird, I thought having the port would be good for the surgery as many nurses struggle to find veins in my arms, but it was obvious that most of the nurses at the hospital had very little experience with the port. Also made me a little nervous...

[elise]

Around here it depends on your diagnosis. I was metastatic when they put it in so odds are high for another reoccurrence so they leave it in for a while (1-3 years) after you're done chemo. I've had friends who have had them removed right after since their reoccurrence odds were much lower.

Elise