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Have Stage 4 Breast Cancer. On An Infusion Of Morphine. Cause Of Leg Swelling?
Question: I have stage 4 breast cancer with mets to my bones. Presently, I am on an infusion of morphine which plugs into my port. I also take Gabapenton,
Simvastatin, Lexapro, Prednisone and Bumetanide (a diuretic for the edema or, depending on which doctor you ask, lymphodema) for the swelling in my left leg. The swelling in my leg gets quite pronounced by the end of the day. It goes from my ankle to the very top of my thigh. It has lumpy areas, especially at the top of the thigh. It is quite red but not especially painful. Recently, my right vulva has begun to swell quite largely. In the morning it seems fine but by the evening it is very swollen but there is no pain other than when walking as it's size makes it uncomfortable! Could there be a relation between the two, i.e. the leg and the vulva? Thanks for any information.
Simvastatin, Lexapro, Prednisone and Bumetanide (a diuretic for the edema or, depending on which doctor you ask, lymphodema) for the swelling in my left leg. The swelling in my leg gets quite pronounced by the end of the day. It goes from my ankle to the very top of my thigh. It has lumpy areas, especially at the top of the thigh. It is quite red but not especially painful. Recently, my right vulva has begun to swell quite largely. In the morning it seems fine but by the evening it is very swollen but there is no pain other than when walking as it's size makes it uncomfortable! Could there be a relation between the two, i.e. the leg and the vulva? Thanks for any information.
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
You have mentioned that you are suffering from stage IV breast cancer. Stage IV breast cancer may be bone only metastatic disease or visceral metastatic disease, Prognosis of bone only disease is good. The treatment modality available are radiation therapy, intravenous bisphosphonate injection.
You have not mentioned regarding specific treatment of your bone metastasis.
Anyway you are on multiple oral medications for your medical problems so a detail of your cardilogical status and renal function will be helpful.
Leg swelling may be due to systemic cause like cardiac or renal problem, but in that case it will be bilateral. Unilateral leg swelling generally caused by venous or lymphatic obstruction.
Specially in background of malignancy chance of venous stasis increases. There is also a chance of pressure on venous system by enlarged lymph node.
It will be better to have an abdominal imaging preferably contrast enhanced CT scan and lower limb Color Doppler study to clinch the diagnosis.
Consult your oncologist for better guidance, I will be available for follow up.
Thanks for posting your query.
You have mentioned that you are suffering from stage IV breast cancer. Stage IV breast cancer may be bone only metastatic disease or visceral metastatic disease, Prognosis of bone only disease is good. The treatment modality available are radiation therapy, intravenous bisphosphonate injection.
You have not mentioned regarding specific treatment of your bone metastasis.
Anyway you are on multiple oral medications for your medical problems so a detail of your cardilogical status and renal function will be helpful.
Leg swelling may be due to systemic cause like cardiac or renal problem, but in that case it will be bilateral. Unilateral leg swelling generally caused by venous or lymphatic obstruction.
Specially in background of malignancy chance of venous stasis increases. There is also a chance of pressure on venous system by enlarged lymph node.
It will be better to have an abdominal imaging preferably contrast enhanced CT scan and lower limb Color Doppler study to clinch the diagnosis.
Consult your oncologist for better guidance, I will be available for follow up.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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