Cancer Research UK main site

Numb fingers after first round, will they reduce treatment?

Roly
Offline

Hi

My mum was recently fiagnosed with bile duct cancer. It fortunately hasn't spread and is having some chemotherapy in the hope it will shrink a bit and they can operate to remove it. She had her first dose Cistplatin & Gemcitabine last week and has been absolutely fine all week in fact she said she felt great, but today (last day before next dose) she had a bit of minor numbness in some fingers. she's back in tomorrow for the second dose, but when answering the questionaire when she had her blood test and talking to the nurse who rang today my mum mentiioned it.

it's not painful or troubling her but having looked it up on Dr Google it talks about peripheral neuropathy and that they sometimes reduce or stop the tratment.

With the type of cancer she has an operation is her only realistic chance of a "cure" and if they stop or even reduce the dose of chemo it obviously will be disasterous for her.  Are they likely to do that straight away becuase of mentioning the finger numbness or will they see how it goes after a few rounds of treatment?

any advice appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

  • I'm sorry about your mum's bile duct cancer diagnosis Roly, but it's good to hear it hasn't spread.

    Numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands or/and feet are one of the side effects that can occur with Cistplatin & Gemcitabine but now your mum has made her team aware, I'm sure they will keep an eye on it and provide her with ways to manage this.

    As to whether they will stop or reduce the chemo if it gets worse, only your mum's cancer team can tell you so if your mum wasn't able to find out anything yesterday, do encourage her to ask them about this when she sees them next.

    If you have your mum's permission you can also ask them about this, and anything else playing on your mind that you would rather discuss when your mum isn't around.

    I'm sure some of our members who have contended with bile duct cancer or this side effect of chemo will share their experiences and advice with you soon but if you'd like to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses, you can contact them on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday (except bank holidays).between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    I hope your mum doesn't experience any other side effects from her chemo and that it manages to shrink the tumour.

    Best wishes to you both,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Steph

    Hi Steph

    Thanks for taking the time to reply it appreciated and apologies for the delay in replying. Fortunately it didn't affect the dosage of treatment given and the numbness hasn't got any worse so that was really good news.

    she had a sore graze on her tummy that she's had previously and normally sorts out with a bit of sudocream, but this time due to the treatment it had got a bit red and angry looking, so she contacted the gp who gave her some steriod cream and some strong antibiotics which she has just finished. This delayed treatment by a week but needs must. however she had a blood test this morning for her treatment to resume on Tuesday but the hospoital just called to say her blood count is too low and it needs to be postponed another week. She was a bit shocked when she heard this so didn't remember what in the blood count was low.

    I was wondering if the antibiotics can have an effect possibly on a low blood count? Ironically although she's only had a couple of weeks of treatment she's not suffered any side effects whatsoever apart fropm the numb fingers so it came as a bit of a shock that treatment will be delayed.

    is it a fairly common occurance of treatment being delayed because of low blood counts and is it likely to affect the treatment much a break of a couple of weeks during treatment?

    thanks

    roly

     

  • in reply to Roly

    Hey Roly,

    No need to apologise for the late reply, family comes first :happy: 

    I'm really glad to hear that the numbness didn't get any worse for your mum although I'm sorry to hear that her treatment is now delayed due to a low blood count.

    As I'm not medically trained I can't answer the questions you've included in your post I'm afraid but our cancer nurses may be able to offer some insight so if you'd like to get their thoughts on this and discuss your mum's situation in more detail then do be sure to get in touch with them on 0808 800 4040. Their phone lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they'll do all they can to help.

    Fingers crossed your mum's treatment can go ahead next week.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

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.