The duration of functioning of a subcutaneous implantable port for the treatment of hematological tumors: a single institution-based study.

Background: Although subcutaneous implantable ports have been indicated as venous access for chemotherapy, these devices have not been used routinely for hematological tumors.

Methods: Between May 2006 and April 2009, 39 ports were implanted in 37 patients with hematological tumors and 16 ports were implanted in 14 patients with nonhematological tumors. The patients were treated with standard/first-line and/or salvage/second-line or greater chemotherapy, and were prospectively followed until port removal, death, or the end of the study.