Issues in Vascular Access with Special Emphasis on the Cancer Patient.

The management of the cancer patient is often complex and involves multiple disciplines. The complexity of the care that is required often necessitates venous access for the administration of myriad therapies and the acquisition of blood samples. Reliable venous access is critical for the optimal management of the many aspects of care of a patient with cancer. Although the exact number of catheters inserted annually in the United States for care of cancer patients is unknown, it is likely that it represents a significant percentage of the more than 5 million central venous catheters placed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]