I am asking on behalf of my sister in Africa. She had cancer of cervix last and had radiotheraphy. She was cleared after this therapy but now she has a swollen leg and very severe pain on her leg. What is the best way of treating this condition. She is deteriorating very quickly. Can you help please.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your sisters situation and problem. Radiotherapy causes tissue damage, destruction and fibrosis. So pain is common symptom after radiotherapy. For lower limb swelling, following are possible causes in her case. 1. Lymphedema due to metastatic involvement of inguinal lymph nodes. Cervical cancer is known to spread in inguinal nodes. So possibility of blockage of lymph flow of lower limbs is high. And hence Lymphedema is likely cause. 2. Hypoproteinemia and anemia also cause lower limb edema. 3. Decreased urine output due to kidney involvement. 4. Deep venous thrombosis. This is rare complication of cervical cancer but can be the cause. So ask her to consult oncologist and discuss all these causes. Treatment of all This is different. So better to first diagnose herself and then start appropriate treatment. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your sister. Thanks.