After chemo and radation is it normal to have swelling, and for how long should it last.?

Answer 1

Swelling after the cancer treatments is not a regular feature. You have not given more details abut the type and stage of the cancer the patient is suffering. Without with it is difficult to answer. However, please note some cancers in mouth or digestive track swelling may be seen and it is called - Mucositis.

Mucositis involves the inflammation of the lining of the mouth and digestive tract, and frequently occurs in cancer patients after chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The cheek, gums, soft plate, oropharynx, top and sides of tongue, and floor of the mouth may be affected, as well as the esophagus and rectal areas. Along with redness and swelling, patients typically experience a strong, burning pain.

The precise mechanism by which cancer treatment induces mucositis is not clear, but it is believed to damage the rapidly dividing epithelial cells in the mucous membranes. This damage leads to inflammation and swelling, and then actual breakdown of the mucosa, the lining of the mouth and digestive tract. Another theory is that the body's natural defenses are weakened. For example, the immunoglobulin IgA is normally found in saliva. In patients who developed mucositis after undergoing cancer treatment with methotrexate, IgA levels in saliva were decreased.

If you want more details, give the exact disease and other conditions of the patients so that I can try to give a correct answer-

Answer 2

The cancer oncologist and the radiation oncologist say that it is normal if the swelling happens at the end of the day. Also if the swelling is not too severe. I too have this problem

Answer 3

You need to provide more details, the swelling may be due to lympedema and not related to chemo or radiation.

Answer 4

Swelling....where?