Cancer Research UK main site

My mum just diagnosed with cancer

Thegreat
Offline

Her abdomen is full of fluid which has been drained and she had her first lot of chemo. She couldn’t have the 2nd lot of chemo as her blood wasn’t right and needed a transfusion. The 3rd dose of chemo should have been today which hasn’t been done as fluid has come back and she has an infection in her tooth. Surely not having the chemo is detrimental?

  • Offline

    Chemo treatment is a fine balancing act. Their aim is to treat people, whether it's for curative reasons or to improve quality of life during palliative care. It's aim is to benefit the patient, not to make the patient suffer or even kill the patient. You have to meet a certain health criteria to receive chemo and if you don't, the risks heavily outweigh the benefits.

    About the tooth infection, chemo lowers your immune system and what we as healthy individuals can shrug off, can quickly turn nasty and life threatening to someone on chemo. Even simple tooth removal for someone that is heavily immunocompromised is risky.

    They're needing to let her bloods return to normal, then remove/root canal the tooth. I suspect it will be removal. In the meantime, that tooth needs heavily monitored in case the infection spreads.

  • Offline in reply to ProfBaw

    They have given her antibiotics for the infection which they will keep a close eye on but what worries me is the fluid that has come back very quickly. Is this normal?

  • Hello and thanks for posting

    I'm sorry to read about your mum. It's understandable to feel worried about her chemotherapy being postponed again. Although chemotherapy works best when given regularly, sometimes a person just isn't well enough right now to have the next course of treatment.

    Your mum having ascites ( build up of fluid in the abdomen) , a tooth infection and previous low blood counts are signs that she needs more time to recover before continuing treatment safely.

    Doctors will always weigh the risks and benefits of patients having treatment. If chemotherapy is given when someone is too unwell, it can do more harm than good. Postponing treatment while treating an infection, and treating the ascites to stabilise your mum's condition gives her the best chance of continuing her treatment.

    I hope this has been of some use. Give us a ring if you would to talk things over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Kind Regards,

    Celene

  • in reply to Thegreat

    Hello and thanks for your further post

    Ascites can build up again after the fluid has been drained and normally this would take a few weeks. Hopefully, when your mum is well enough to restart her chemotherapy, the fluid build up will slow down or stop.

    Your mum may find it helpful to discuss this further with her specialist team as they are familiar with all her medical details. I wonder if your mum has a specialist nurse (CNS) involved in her care then perhaps they can provide her with further information. You often have to call and leave them a message and they will get back to you.  

    Best wishes,

    Celene

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.