Sometimes to administer cancer medications directly into the bloodstream, an implantable port or PICC line is required. These can be required for certain types of medications or when your veins are difficult to access.

A PICC line is a soft plastic tube inserted into a vein in your upper arm and can be used to administer medications and take blood, an implantable port is also a soft plastic tube inserted into a vein but is usually tunnelled under the skin in the chest.

If either of these lines is required, this will be discussed with the specialist and nursing staff.