title: Administration of chemotherapy via the median cubital vein without implantable central venous access ports: port-free chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Repeated venous punctures are usually required during chemotherapy administration for cancer patients. Central venous catheters and implantable port systems have substantially facilitated vascular access, and safe, easy-to-handle port systems have become an integral part of daily clinical routines in oncology. However, several serious complications are associated with central venous ports (CV-ports), and recent developments of combined oral capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) therapies allow CV-port-free administration. In this study, the safety and efficacy of CV-port-free chemotherapy administration via the median cubital vein was assessed in metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 144 patients who received XELOX + bevacizumab (BV) or XELOX therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer without CV-port implantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-five patients experienced transient vascular pain. The drip infusion route was switched to the opposite side following vascular pain in only 1 patient. No patients required CV-port implantation or delayed treatment due to adverse events associated with drug administration via the peripheral vein. Grade 3 or higher hemotoxicity and grade 3 or higher non-hematological toxicity was noted in 12.5 and 17.4 % of patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Port-free-chemotherapy administration via the median cubital vein is appropriate for patients with colorectal cancer, thereby avoiding complications associated with CV-ports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Fukuoka University Faculty of Medicine, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan, yy4160@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Yoichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Seiichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.forename: Naoya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aisu
authors.forename: Masayasu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Syu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanimura
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mogi
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010071:Oxaloacetates; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062666:Vascular Access Devices
chemical_list: D010071:Oxaloacetates; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil