Administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Techniques and controversies.

Safe and pain-free vascular access is now the achievable goal for every patient receiving systemic chemotherapy. The discomfort and anxiety that used to accompany multiple (often unsuccessful) venipunctures can be avoided by placement of a long-term central-venous-access device as part of the patient's early treatment plan. In the United States, approximately 5 x 10(5) such devices are now inserted each year. This review discusses and compares the different types of devices currently available, methods of insertion, and management of morbidity. Future studies should focus on the cost effectiveness of these devices, better selection of patients for the various types of access, and avoidance, recognition, and treatment of complications.