Prevalence of Port-Related Infections and Their Predisposing Factors in Women with Breast Cancer under Chemotherapy

Awareness of the prevalence of chemotherapy port infections and the underlying factors in cancer patients is absolutely necessary, providing us with methods to help eliminate the infection in these patients the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of port-related infections and the associated factors in women with breast cancer under chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 73 patients undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer were screened for signs of infection following port insertion in the subclavian area. After confirmation of the symptoms of infection, samples were sent to two laboratories for diagnosis of infection. A P value of < .05 was considered significant. Results: Ten percent of the patients with clinical symptoms of infection were diagnosed with infection in laboratory tests. There were statistically significant differences in weight, age, the number of chemotherapy sessions, the duration of port placement, and the duration of hospitalization following port implantation between patients with infection and patients with