Tubes and Drains Used in Cancer Treatment and Care
Tubes and/or drains might be used during or after cancer treatment. Not everyone will need one, but if you do, knowing what they are, why they’re used, and how to care for them is very important.
Types of tubes and drains
Tubes are flexible, hollow devices that can be used to deliver fluids, medicines, and gases. They can be made of plastic, silicone, or some other material. Some types of tubes – called drains – can be used to remove body fluids. Some common uses of tubes and drains in cancer treatment are:
- To deliver oxygen
- To give liquid nourishment (food or feedings) or medicine
- To drain fluids from the body
Oxygen tubes
If you need oxygen because your blood levels are low, it can be given through a tube placed under your nose (called a nasal cannula) or a mask that goes over the mouth and nose. Tubing connects the cannula or mask to an oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator. This can be done in the hospital, clinic, or at home. Ask your cancer care team if you need oxygen equipment that you can travel with.
It’s important to follow the oxygen safety instructions given by your cancer care team. Make sure you know how to care for the tank and other equipment.
Never let anyone smoke or use fire, including candles and gas stoves, in areas where oxygen is being used. This can lead to an explosive fire.
Tubes to deliver liquid nourishment or medicine
Liquid nourishment (food or feedings) or medicine can be given through a tube placed in the stomach or the small intestine (bowel). They are often called tube feedings. This can be helpful if you can’t swallow, eat, or drink.
- If feedings are needed for a short time, a tube can be put in through the nose and into the stomach (called a nasogastric tube, or NG tube) or small intestine (called a nasojejunal tube, or NJ tube) without needing surgery.
- If feedings are needed for a longer time, surgery might be done to place a feeding tube through the skin of the belly and into the stomach (called a gastrostomy tube, or G tube) or the small intestine (called a jejunostomy tube, or J tube).
If you are going home with tubes or other equipment, your cancer care team will teach you how to care for them and what problems to watch for. Make sure you know what supplies you will need and how to get them.
Tubes to drain fluids from the body
Tubes (also called drains) may be used to remove extra fluids from the body after surgery or a procedure. They may also be used to remove fluids caused by the cancer itself, especially in advanced cancers.
Tubes and drains used in cancer treatment may be placed:
- During surgery to help remove extra fluids that can build up. Depending on the type of surgery, they can be put in many places such as the axilla (armpit), breast, chest, abdomen (belly), neck, and head. Common types of drains include the Jackson Pratt (JP), Penrose, and Hemovac.
- Through the nose and into the stomach (nasogastric or NG tube), in the stomach (gastric or G tube), or in the rectum (rectal tube) to remove fluid from a blockage (obstruction) or after surgery.
- In the chest between the ribs to remove extra fluid around the lung that can build up due to certain cancers (pleural tube or catheter).
- In the belly to remove extra fluids that can build up in certain cancers (intraperitoneal drain).
- In the bile duct (tubes that connect the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine) to remove extra fluid that can build up in some cancers (biliary drain).
- In the bladder to drain urine (urinary catheter or urostomy).
- In the rectum to drain stool (fecal tube or catheter).
- Over a stoma (opening in the belly made during surgery) to drain stool (colostomy or ileostomy).
- Through the skin and into the trachea (windpipe) to help you breathe (tracheostomy or trach tube).
How do I care for a tube or drain?
If you are going home with any tubes or drains, your cancer care team will teach you (or someone who will help you) how to care for them and what problems to watch for based on the type that you have. Make sure you know what supplies you need and how to get them. Some general things to know:
- Clean your hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before touching your tube or drain, or any of their supplies.
- Keep it clean. Keep the tubing off the floor, as much as you can. If you have a drain, follow your cancer care team’s instructions on how to clean the skin around the drain site.
- Don’t get it wet. Unless your cancer care team tells you differently, keep the tube dry. When showering with a drain, cover the site with a waterproof material (like plastic wrap). If the covering gets wet or becomes loose, put a new one on.
- Watch for signs of infection. If you have a drain, be sure to tell your cancer care team if you have a fever, any redness, swelling, or oozing around the site.
- Keep it secure: Don’t pull on or bend the tubing Be sure to keep it secured to clothing or taped to skin to keep it from accidentally pulling.
- Watch the drainage. If you have a drain, watch the fluid coming out. If it increases or changes color, tell your cancer care team.
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- References
Developed by the P站视频 medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
American Lung Association. Oxygen therapy: Using oxygen safely. Updated December 15, 2023. Accessed at https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/oxygen-therapy/using-oxygen-safely on July 22, 2025.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Difficulty swallowing or dysphagia. Accessed at cancer.net. Content is no longer available.
Backler C, Kirmse JM. (Eds). Access device guidelines: Recommendations for nursing practice and education. 4th ed. Oncology Nursing Society; 2023.
Brant JM, Cope DG, Saria MG. (Eds). Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing, 7th ed. Elsevier; 2024.
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Nutrition in cancer care. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-pdq#_312 on July 22, 2025.
Last Revised: July 22, 2025
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