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What Are The Reasons For Edema In The Legs While Suffering From Lung Cancer?
My 56 year old brother has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Also had a lung abscess and a UTI upon admission to hospital. He is significantly underweight and must gain 30 lbs. before chemo can begin. The edema in his ankles and legs was noticeable before diagnosis. Additional hx of chronic ETOH abuse and Lyme s Disease. The swelling seems to be worsening even after IV antibiotic treatment and drainage of the abscess during the bronchoscope. Thoughts on the possible causes of the edema?
Mon, 30 Jul 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
The likely cause of edema in legs in a cancer patient is nutritional deficiency. Patients are often found to have low albumin and also due to high catabolic state of cancer, there is not enough a protein production by liver. This causes retention of fluid in legs causing edema. Give him high protein diet and he will improve.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
The likely cause of edema in legs in a cancer patient is nutritional deficiency. Patients are often found to have low albumin and also due to high catabolic state of cancer, there is not enough a protein production by liver. This causes retention of fluid in legs causing edema. Give him high protein diet and he will improve.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
The likely cause of edema in a cancer patient is nutritional deficiency of proteins and high catabolic state of cancer which causes low albumin and thus retention of fluid in legs. Give him high protein diet and he will improve.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
The likely cause of edema in a cancer patient is nutritional deficiency of proteins and high catabolic state of cancer which causes low albumin and thus retention of fluid in legs. Give him high protein diet and he will improve.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
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