Onkologie. 2025:19(2):91-99 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2025.019

Venous access in oncology - the choice between PICC and port

Viktor Maňásek

Komplexní onkologické centrum a Kanylační centrum Nemocnice Agel, Nový Jičín

Společnost pro porty a permanentní katétry, Praha

The choice of an adequate venous access in oncology is essential for an optimally mana­ged anticancer treatment, if parenteral administration is necessary. The treatment is usually longterm with the need to prefer to introduce such a venous access that offers the maximum benefits for the patient. It is not only a matter of safe introduction, taking into account the type and duration of the treatment, the patient's general condition, including comorbidities, and the quality of the venous system, but also a strategy for the care of the venous access device during its use. Education of the patient and his preferences are very important. In practice, we most often deal with the situation of whether to indicate a PICC or a venous port. In some situations, the indication for a specific type of venous access is clear, but sometimes the choice of both types of access overlaps. However, according to the defined criteria mentioned in the text, we are able to prefer the optimal venous access for individual clinical diagnoses. With regard to the expansion of the availability of ultrasound, navigation methods and a wide portfolio of venous access as well as fixation methods and aids for nursing care, we have the opportunity to provide the patient with venous access, which will bring maximum benefit while reducing possible complications.

Keywords: anticancer treatment, PICC, chest port, PICC-port, chemotherapy, venou access device choice.

Accepted: April 25, 2025; Published: May 2, 2025  Show citation