When breast cancer treatment includes chemotherapy, a port can make receiving treatment and having blood drawn easier and more reliable. But for many patients, another consideration may not come up until after the port is placed: where will the port scar be?
For patients who have undergone breast surgery, reconstruction, or mastectomy, the location of a chemotherapy port can have a meaningful impact on the appearance of the chest. A visible scar near the collarbone can remain long after chemotherapy is complete, creating a permanent reminder of a period that many patients would like to move forward from.
At Bedford Breast Center, Dr. Heather Richardson uses a hidden port placement technique that places the incision in the armpit while keeping the port itself in the appropriate position beneath the skin near the collarbone. The goal is straightforward: provide reliable access for cancer treatment while keeping the visible chest and décolletage as clear as possible.
This post covers what thoughtful port placement looks like, the options that exist, and how to start the conversation with your care team.
A Different Approach to Port Scarring
Port placement is often approached as a practical part of starting chemotherapy. The primary goal is to create dependable access to the bloodstream so medications can be administered without repeatedly placing an IV. That medical purpose is essential. But the location of the port and its incision can also matter, particularly for patients who have already undergone significant breast surgery.
Breast cancer surgery today can involve careful planning to preserve the natural appearance of the breast and chest whenever medically appropriate. Mastectomy and reconstruction techniques have evolved considerably, and plastic surgeons often spend significant time considering the shape, contour, symmetry, skin quality, and overall appearance of the chest.
Dr. Richardson believes the same attention should extend to chemotherapy port placement.
Rather than placing the incision directly over the port near the collarbone, Dr. Richardson places the incision in the armpit. The port itself remains beneath the skin in the upper chest area where it can be accessed for treatment, but the incision used to place and eventually remove it is positioned in a much less visible location. Think of it as choosing the side entrance instead of the front door. The destination is the same, but the entry point leaves no trace on the front of your chest. For patients also undergoing breast reconstruction, keeping the port incision away from the visible chest can help preserve the overall appearance of the reconstructed breast and décolletage.
How to Start the Conversation
Port placement is often scheduled around the start of chemotherapy, which means there may be several appointments and treatment decisions happening at the same time.
Before having a chemotherapy port placed, we recommend asking your care team a few important questions about the placement and incision:
- Where will the port itself be positioned?
- Where will the incision be made?
- Where will the scar be located after the port is removed?
- Is a hidden or less visible placement an option for me?
- How will the port placement work with my breast surgery or reconstruction?
Looking Forward
Treatment is a journey, and every step along the way is a chance to take care of the person you will be when it is over. Thoughtful port placement is one small way to do that. It will not change what you are going through, but it can change what you carry with you afterward.
If you are preparing for chemotherapy and want to learn more about hidden port placement, the team at Bedford Breast Center would love to talk with you. Reach out to schedule a consultation with Dr. Richardson and explore the options that fit your care.
Real Patient Stories
Chelsey’s Story: Her Hidden Chemotherapy Port Placement and Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction
Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in My 30s | Annie’s Story
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a hidden chemotherapy port different from a regular port?
No. The port and its function are essentially the same. The difference is the surgical approach used to place it. With a hidden port technique, the incision used to insert the port is placed in the armpit rather than directly over the port in the upper chest.
Can you see the port under the skin?
The port may be visible or palpable depending on the patient's anatomy, body composition, and how the port sits beneath the skin. The goal of the technique is primarily to hide the incision and resulting scar, not necessarily to make the port impossible to see or feel.
Will there be a scar?
There will be an incision, and any incision can result in a scar. With the hidden port technique, the incision is placed in the armpit, where the resulting scar is generally much less visible than one located on the upper chest.
Can the port still be accessed easily?
Yes. The port remains positioned beneath the skin of the upper chest so the oncology team can access it when medications or blood draws are needed.
Can the port be removed through the same incision?
Yes. The port can be removed through the incision used for placement, even if that incision is in the armpit.
Does a hidden port change my chemotherapy treatment?
The port's purpose remains the same: to provide reliable venous access for treatment. The hidden approach changes the incision location, not the medications or chemotherapy regimen prescribed by your oncology team.
Can I still shower, exercise, or swim with a port?
Your oncology and surgical teams will provide specific instructions based on where you are in the treatment process. Once the incision has healed and your medical team has cleared you for normal activities, a port generally does not prevent patients from returning to many of their usual activities.
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