Procedures For Childhood Cancer

A central venous catheter is a device that allows health professionals to give medicines, fluids and blood products into a large central vein that leads directly into your child's heart.

If your child with cancer is having anaesthesia or sedation they will have to stop eating food and drinking fluids before the procedure. Your local healthcare team will give you instructions about preparing your child for surgery. 

There are many different types of medicines to help reduce your child's pain and anxiety during tests and procedures for cancer. 

An external catheter is a thin, flexible, partially implanted silicone tube that extends outside the body. Inside the body, the catheter lies under the skin of the chest. It goes into a central vein near a small incision by the neck.

A port-a-cath or powerport, known as a port, is a small chamber, about the size of a 20 cent coin. It has a silicone centre that can be pricked with a special needle many times. It has a thin flexible silicone tube attached.

A peripherally inserted central catheter (known as a PICC or PIC line) is a temporary, short-term central venous catheter sometimes used when your child is in hospital. 

Sometimes, if your child has lost a lot of weight or has not been eating very well for a period of time, they may need tube feeding.