A PICC line is a long, thin, hollow tube that a nurse puts into a vein above the bend of your elbow. It is used to give you chemotherapy and other medication. It may stay in place until your treatment is over.

You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area before the line is put in.

Your nurse will gently thread the line along the vein in your arm until it arrives at the large vein in the chest. After this, you will have an x-ray done to check whether it is in the correct position.

The PICC catheter is kept in place by a dressing that is changed weekly. The cap at the end of the line is replaced weekly to lower the risk of infection. The line is emptied regularly to avoid blockage.

Get in touch with your doctor or nurse if you have any swelling, pain, loss of fluid around the PICC line, or if you feel unwell. These may be symptoms of infection or blood clot.

Once you no longer need the PICC line it will be removed.