Good afternoon doctor, My mom in law went thru a surgery of her right breast as she is detected for the second time carcinoma 1st operated with the ovarian cancer in 2001 uterus is also removed & in oct 2010 detected on right side of breast.She will be going thru a 4th Cycle of chemotheraphy on saturday.my qt is she is turning fat at the moment & her food intake is also not so proper.Her tryglycerides rose to 1483 & cholestrol to 255 pllease can you help me to find out is it due to side effects as i am in doubt if the person undergoing chemotheraphy turns fat. Please advice.
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Chemotherapy is known to raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels in many people like your mother-in-law. Medical literature demonstrates increased receptor-mediated uptake of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in many types of malignant cells compared with normal cells. The person undergoing chemotherapy will not get fate. Increase in Chester does not mean becoming fat. It refers to the increased concentration of cholesterol in the blood with triglycerides. This pattern is seen as a result of change due to increased absorption of fats and also metallic changes leading to high circulating levels of these components. It also means that the patient might have increased risk to cardiovascular disease. Regular follow up is required. Please do not worry.