My dad has stage 4 lung cancer that has spread to brain lymph nodes in chest and adrenal glands. Started chemo last Tues but can't eat now feels sick and full of wind. He thinks it's spread to his stomach. How can we find out
I'm sorry to read about your dad's situation. This must be a difficult time for you all.
Chemotherapy can cause nausea, bloating and loss of appetite, so his symptoms might be related to treatment rather than the cancer spreading. Lung cancer does not commonly spread to the stomach. However, if his doctor suspect a problem in the stomach they may suggest doing further tests or scans.
There are a number of different anti sickness medications that may help nausea and vomiting and sometimes it’s trial and error to get the right combination that will work. We do have some tips on our website about managing nausea which you might find helpful.
Since your dad is struggling to eat and feels unwell, it's probably best that he's assessed by his specialist ( cancer) team. They can discuss his symptoms and possibly adjust his treatment to improve his comfort. If your dad has a lung specialist nurse (CNS) involved in his care then perhaps they can provide him with further information. You often have to call and leave them a message and they will get back to you.
I’m not sure if your dad is being supported at home by a community palliative care team, often they are known as Macmillan nurses. They are experts in controlling cancer symptoms and can provide emotional support. If he doesn't have a palliative care team involved in his care he could ask his GP or hospital team to refer him. You might also find it helpful to read our information about the support that is available to people at home with lung cancer on our website.
I hope this is of some use. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
