Comparison of Outcomes of Right Internal Jugular Port Implantation in Patients With Right Versus Left Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Comparison of Outcomes of Right Internal Jugular Port Implantation in Patients With Right Versus Left Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy in Gorgan Medical Centers (2017-2024)

Chemotherapy is an essential component of breast cancer treatment. Frequent intravenous injections may lead to phlebitis and limited venous access, therefore implantable venous ports are increasingly used. The choice of port placement side in breast cancer patients is controversial, especially when mastectomy or radiotherapy is planned. This retrospective cohort study compares one-year patency, complications (infection, thrombosis, skin necrosis), and functional outcomes of ports implanted via the right internal jugular vein in patients with right versus left breast cancer.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Port-A-Cath

Detailed Description

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of treatment, whether in neoadjuvant or adjuvant settings. Despite advancements in drug formulations, repeated intravenous injections frequently result in phlebitis and loss of venous access. As a result, many patients and physicians prefer the use of totally implantable venous access devices (ports). These devices consist of a catheter and a chamber, allowing direct administration of chemotherapy into a central vein, reducing endothelial damage.

However, ports carry risks including infection, venous thrombosis, skin necrosis, and mechanical failure. In breast cancer patients who undergo mastectomy or radiotherapy, the optimal side for port implantation is controversial. Some surgeons avoid the ipsilateral side due to concerns about complications, while others report no additional risk when proper technique is used.

This retrospective cohort study evaluates the patency and safety of ports implanted through the right internal jugular vein in patients with right- and left-sided breast cancer treated in Gorgan medical centers between 2017 and 2024. Patient records will be reviewed to collect demographic information, tumor laterality, type of breast surgery (mastectomy vs. breast-conserving surgery), use of radiotherapy, type of port, and follow-up outcomes. Complications including infection, thrombosis, and skin necrosis will be recorded. The primary endpoint is one-year port patency; secondary endpoints include complication rates and associations with clinical variables such as age, stage, smoking status, and prior radiotherapy.

This study aims to clarify whether the side of breast cancer affects the outcomes of right internal jugular port implantation, and to provide evidence to guide decision-making regarding optimal port placement in breast cancer patients requiring chemotherapy.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 80

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Pezhman Kharazm; Phone Number: +989111751861; Email: pezhmankh@goums.ac.ir

Study Locations

• Iran
  • Outside of the US
    • Gorgan, Outside of the US, Iran, 4917956808
      • 5Th Azar Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All breast cancer patients receiving right internal jugular venous port implantation in Gorgan medical centers (2017-2024).

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female patients with breast cancer (right or left side)
• Underwent chemotherapy port implantation via right internal jugular vein between 2017-2024 in Gorgan medical centers

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior neck surgery or radiotherapy involving right jugular area
• Incomplete medical records

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Cohort 1; Patients with right-sided breast cancer who received a right internal jugular port
Cohort 2; Patients with left-sided breast cancer who received a right internal jugular port

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
. One-year port patency	Defined as functional port access without removal due to complications	12 months after port implantation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Infection	Incidence of port-related infection	12 months
Thrombosis	Incidence of port-related thrombosis	12 months
skin necrosis	incidence of skin necrosis	12 months
cancer side association	Association between port side relative to cancer side and complication rates	12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Golestan University of Medical sciences

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): November 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 21, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): September 29, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 21, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: breast cancer; chemotherapy; mastectomy; port; One-year patency
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Skin Diseases; Breast Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Breast Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 115103

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: The individual participant data will not be shared because of patient privacy concerns and institutional policies.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No