Cancer Terminology

Medical Terms

PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) 17 Feb 2004

This week the nurses decided a dry dressing was better so the sores would heal. These sores are caused when the dressing is removed and some skin comes with it, and is subsequently covered with new dressing, giving it no time to heal. There may be an allergic reaction to the adhesive also...

Gerry's PICC line, inserted 28 Jan 2004, 3 weeks ago. Arm held normally beside the body.

Arm turned out a bit for a better view.

The top part is where the weekly chemo attachment connects to the permanent part of the line. When they disconnect that piece, they can then also "flush" the line by pushing a saline solution into the artery. Typically they pull back some fluid to make sure they get blood back, a sign that everything is ok.

Closer view of where the line enters the body. Looks pretty ugly, but it's really painless.

Close-up, different angle.