A chemo port, also known as a chemotherapy port or port-a-cath, is a small, implantable device that connects to a vein, usually in the upper chest area, through a thin silicone tube. It is a small, circular, or oval-shaped device, about the size of a quarter, that goes under the skin. The main advantage of a chemo port is that it allows healthcare providers to deliver chemotherapy medications directly into the port rather than a vein, eliminating the need for needle sticks.

A chemo port is usually centrally placed under the skin near a large vein in the upper chest. It can be a good alternative to an intravenous (IV) catheter that is peripherally placed in an arm or hand vein, especially when a suitable IV site is difficult to find. A port can remain in place as long as necessary, for several weeks, months, or even years, unlike an IV catheter, which must be reinserted for each treatment session.

A chemo port has three main parts: the port, the septum, and the catheter. The port is the main part of the device where healthcare providers inject fluids, the septum is the center part of the port made from a self-sealing rubber material, and the catheter is a thin, flexible tube that connects the port to the vein.

In addition to streamlining the delivery of chemotherapy, a chemo port can help make cancer treatments safer and more comfortable. It can greatly reduce the number of needle sticks required at oncology appointments, and in many cases, it can make cancer treatments safer. A surgeon or radiologist usually puts in a chemo port, which is usually done with local anesthesia or conscious sedation.