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What Causes Swelling Of Hands,fingers And Calves After Undergoing Chemotherapy?
Why do my calves swell, burn, turn red, and pinch - also get very hard after my chemo treatment with, Alimta? Now I ve noticed that the tops of my hands as well as my fingers are getting swollen.This is the only maintenance drug I m getting for small cell lung cancer. One spot is left showing some activity. Is this the best treatment for me?
Thu, 23 Feb 2023
Hi,
Swelling of the hands, fingers, and calves is a common side effect of chemotherapy, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. Chemotherapy drugs can affect the way the body regulates fluid balance, leading to fluid retention and swelling. Additionally, chemotherapy can damage blood vessels and cause inflammation, which can further contribute to swelling.
The burning, redness, and hardness that you're experiencing in your calves may be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body. DVT is a known complication of chemotherapy, and it can be a serious condition if left untreated. It's important to speak to your healthcare provider about your symptoms, so they can determine whether further testing or treatment is necessary.
As for whether Alimta is the best treatment for you, that's a decision that should be made in consultation with your healthcare team. Alimta is a maintenance drug that is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, and it may be effective for some patients with small cell lung cancer as well.
However, your healthcare provider will need to consider factors such as the stage of your cancer, the location of any remaining tumors, your overall health, and your personal preferences when making treatment recommendations. It's important to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare team about your goals and concerns, so you can work together to develop a treatment plan that's right for you.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
Swelling of the hands, fingers, and calves is a common side effect of chemotherapy, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. Chemotherapy drugs can affect the way the body regulates fluid balance, leading to fluid retention and swelling. Additionally, chemotherapy can damage blood vessels and cause inflammation, which can further contribute to swelling.
The burning, redness, and hardness that you're experiencing in your calves may be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body. DVT is a known complication of chemotherapy, and it can be a serious condition if left untreated. It's important to speak to your healthcare provider about your symptoms, so they can determine whether further testing or treatment is necessary.
As for whether Alimta is the best treatment for you, that's a decision that should be made in consultation with your healthcare team. Alimta is a maintenance drug that is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, and it may be effective for some patients with small cell lung cancer as well.
However, your healthcare provider will need to consider factors such as the stage of your cancer, the location of any remaining tumors, your overall health, and your personal preferences when making treatment recommendations. It's important to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare team about your goals and concerns, so you can work together to develop a treatment plan that's right for you.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Priyanka, General & Family Physician
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