Delay in treatment due to infected port

Hello D60mac,

Thank you for your question. My name is Penelope and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line. I am sorry to hear you have had an infected portacath and this has delayed your chemotherapy treatment.

I can understand you would want to know what effect this may have on your treatment outcome. This is not something that can be easily identified, and I have found very little research to help answer your question. This is partly because each cancer diagnosis and treatment plan is unique to the individual, so it is hard to generalise. Speaking to your oncologist or specialist nurse directly may help as they have all your medical information.

EC Chemotherapy is often given as part of a wider treatment plan. It may be combined with surgery, radiotherapy, and other treatments. If this is the case, then each cycle of chemotherapy is only a small part of the overall treatment.

Treatment delays are very common. One small study of 171 people found only 28 people (16.4%) had no chemotherapy schedule modification. The study does conclude that delays of over 14 days may have had an impact on outcome within the study group. This is only one very small study, however, and included people who did not complete their treatment. Not completing treatment is a different situation to a short delay between treatments. So, this study cannot be seen to be relevant to your situation. I only mention it to show how common treatment delays can be.

Chemotherapy treatment is a delicate balance between risks and benefits.  Managing side effects such as an infected port is so important to enable chemotherapy to be given safely in the future. I am pleased to hear there is a plan in place for possibly a new port and further treatment. I hope this all goes to schedule but if there are any further delays you may like to raise your concerns with the consultant or chemotherapy team so that they are able to support you getting back to treatment as soon as possible.

Whilst waiting for treatment to restart you may like to focus on your general wellbeing. Some people find taking control of other areas of their physical or mental health can be helpful when managing uncertainty. You could look at our information on help with how you’re feeling which includes the link to our free counselling. Or information from the cancer health and wellbeing charity Penny Brohn about their online treatment support programme and other services.

Best wishes,

Penelope, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/GG

Hello Penelope

Than you so much for your reply. I should have mentioned that chemotherapy is preventative. I had surgery (three times) earlier this year, it took some time to achieve clear margins. Also surgery two included axillary clearance with 6 lymph nodes of 20 being positive. After EC then Taxol radiotherapy will follow and also then targeted therapy. I do now have an appointment for a new port to be inserted and also a very suitable gap of 7 days after for chemotherapy to resume. All is falling into place. 

Again, thank you for responding with your excellent observations and advice.