PICC-ports Versus Chest - Ports for Long Term Chemotherapy Deliverance in Oncology Patients

Central venous access devices are extensively used in oncology patients. The current standard is represented by devices inserted by direct ultrasound guided cannulation of deep veins of supra/infraclavicular area with a reservoir placed in a subcutaneous pocket of the upper chest wall ("chest-ports"). More recently, PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters)-ports have been proposed as an alternative to chest-ports. Aim of this study is to demonstrate the non-inferiority of PICC ports compared to thoracic ports in terms of efficacy and safety.