Thrombosis associated with implantable catheter chamber in cancer patients: report of 3 cases

Implantable port-associated thrombosis in cancer patients is the most common non-infectious complication of implantable venous access devices. Their incidence is 1.2 to 13 % in cancer patients. Their use of chemotherapy has significantly improved the quality of life of patients. The authors report on the occurrence of venous thrombosis associated with the implantable portassociated catheter in cancer patients. The mean age of the patients was 44 years. The time to diagnosis was 2, 6, and 8 months after catheter placement. All patients were women undergoing palliative chemotherapy. They presented with superior vena cava compression syndrome, a syndrome of altered general condition associated with a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The diagnosis of implantable central venous catheter thrombosis was confirmed by cervical Doppler ultrasound, which is the gold standard, and by chest computed tomography. Removal of the implantable device was performed in all patients. The outcome was favorable under treatment.