How IV chemotherapy is delivered

Central venous access device (CVAD)

This is a thin plastic tube that remains in your vein throughout the treatment course (for several weeks or months). It allows the treatment team to give chemotherapy, other drugs, fluid or blood transfusions, and draw blood. A CVAD is inserted under local anaesthetic and it shouldn’t cause discomfort or pain.

Common types include:

• centrally inserted catheter – inserted into the chest
• peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line – inserted into the arm
• port-a-cath (port) – surgically inserted under the skin of the chest or arm (see picture on left).

Cannula

This is a small plastic tube inserted into a vein in your arm or the back of your hand. Having a cannula put in can be uncomfortable, but it should only take a few minutes. The cannula can be kept in place if you need to stay in hospital for a few days. If you have day treatment every few weeks, the cannula is usually put in and taken out each time you visit.

Portable pump

This is a device that gives a prescribed amount of chemotherapy continuously for up to a week. It is attached to a CVAD and does not need to be connected to a power point.

Different types of pumps are used (pictured to left is an elastomeric infusion pump). The pumps are small and can be carried in a bag and tucked under a pillow when sleeping.