Does Herceptin also cause vain damage

[Payal108]

All current Chemo cycles are done through PICC line. Does Herceptin also cause vain damage? Can remaining 11-12 Herceptin be administered directly through vain.

[roxboxfox RadiationOncologist]

It does not cause Pain.

The reasons we prefer PICC line stays.. is every time you use one vein..it gets fired and we may not be able to use it again for a year or two. Inserting needle 11-12 times is a bit harsh, but certainly not impossible as we have treated few patients without PICC line.

[Payal108 in reply to roxboxfox]

Thanks,

Weekly dressing, not able to handle small children, precaution, probably we need to change it again after 6 month (3.5 month already over), expenditure.

I thought Herceptin may not be as damaging as other Chemo drugs.

[roxboxfox RadiationOncologist in reply to Payal108]

Herceptin is not damaging ..But the IV cannulation on a three weekly basis is !!

[Payal108]

Thanks

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

More comfortable that a PICC line is a PORT. You may want to discuss that possibility with your Oncologist as well. Though if hand veins are good, remaining Herceptin should not be a problem.