SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on a trial to identify the most suitable device, in terms of cost and outcome, for long-term central venous access to facilitate chemotherapy.
SUZANNE CALLANDER reports on the background to the funding by the National Institute of Health Research of a trial to identify the most suitable device – in terms of cost and patient outcome – for long-term central venous access to facilitate chemotherapy.
Cancer requiring chemotherapy is common. According to a 2009 report from the National Chemotherapy Advisory Group, the number of cancer patients who received chemotherapy in the UK increased by 40% from 20032007. It was estimated that, in 2007 alone, 65,000 courses of chemotherapy were delivered. Hospital Activity Data for England reported a total of 425,000 deliveries of chemotherapy for cancer in the year 2009-2010.
When administered intravenously, chemotherapy can be given either through a peripheral cannula into an arm vein, or through one of three central venous access routes – a subcutaneously tunnelled central catheter (Hickman line), a peripheral inserted central catheter (PICC) or an implantable chest wall port. Central venous access enables delivery of the drug into a large high flow central vein, avoiding the problems associated with chemotherapheutic drugs damaging and occluding small peripheral arm veins. All of these devices are intended to remain in place until the course of treatment is completed.
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