# Central venous access (port, PICC line)

Source: https://onco.cc/terms/central-venous-access/  
OnCo record `central-venous-access` (Term). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

A long-term line into a large vein near the heart, either a small disc under the skin (port) or a tube from the arm (PICC), so chemotherapy can be given and blood drawn without repeated needle sticks.

## Summary

Vesicant drugs (anthracyclines, vinca alkaloids), continuous infusions (5-FU pumps) and cell therapies are safer through central access, which avoids extravasation and vein damage. Ports last years and allow swimming; PICC lines are cheaper but need weekly care and carry higher thrombosis and infection risk. Both are sources of line infection and catheter-related thrombosis, so they are removed when no longer needed.

## Fields

- Kind: Term
- Last checked: 2026-09-09
- Also known as: port-a-cath; implanted port; PICC; PICC line; central line; central venous catheter; Hickman line; tunnelled line; PICC lines

## Notes

- Lymphoma: most lymphoma regimens run for several months, and a central line or a port is usually placed before the course rather than during it. Lymphoma Action lists pain, redness, discharge, swelling or heat at the site of a line among the signs of infection that should be reported immediately, and advises asking the team for advice on bathing and showering while a line is in place.

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical)
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_(medical)
- Lymphoma Action: infections, risk and prevention: https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/information-and-support/side-effects-lymphoma-and-treatment/infections-risk-and-prevention
- Lymphoma Action: CAR-T cell therapy: https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/information-and-support/lymphoma-treatment/car-t-cell-therapy

## Connected records

- terms: [Infusion reactions, hypersensitivity and extravasation](https://onco.cc/terms/extravasation-infusion-reaction/), [Venous thromboembolism (VTE)](https://onco.cc/terms/vte/)
- cancers: [Advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma (stage III to IV)](https://onco.cc/cancers/advanced-stage-classical-hodgkin-lymphoma/), [Burkitt lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/burkitt-lymphoma/), [Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome)](https://onco.cc/cancers/cutaneous-t-cell-lymphoma/), [Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/dlbcl/), [Early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma (stage I to II)](https://onco.cc/cancers/early-stage-classical-hodgkin-lymphoma/), [Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/malt-lymphoma/), [Follicular lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/follicular-lymphoma/), [Hodgkin lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/hodgkin-lymphoma/), [Mantle cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/mantle-cell-lymphoma/), [Marginal zone lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/marginal-zone-lymphoma/), [Nodal marginal zone lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/nodal-marginal-zone-lymphoma/), [Nodal T-follicular helper cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic type (angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/angioimmunoblastic-t-cell-lymphoma/), [Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (nodular lymphocyte-predominant B-cell lymphoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/nodular-lymphocyte-predominant-hodgkin-lymphoma/), [Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (all types)](https://onco.cc/cancers/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/), [Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/pancreatic/), [Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/peripheral-t-cell-lymphoma/), [Primary CNS lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/primary-cns-lymphoma/), [Primary mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/primary-mediastinal-b-cell-lymphoma/), [Relapsed and refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/relapsed-refractory-hodgkin-lymphoma/), [Sezary syndrome](https://onco.cc/cancers/sezary-syndrome/), [Splenic marginal zone lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/splenic-marginal-zone-lymphoma/), [Waldenström macroglobulinaemia](https://onco.cc/cancers/waldenstrom/)
- fronts: [Supportive Care & Survivorship](https://onco.cc/fronts/supportive-care/)
- technologies: [Infusion pumps, ports, and ambulatory chemotherapy devices](https://onco.cc/technologies/infusion-devices-vascular-access/)

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