sclc & fluid

Hi,

My husband has sclc, he was diagnose in December 2015. He was given just 3mths to live back then, His tumour was large after 4cycle of chemo and 3 weeks of high dose of radiotherapy last year his tumour has shrunk from 10cm to 6cm and still shrinking. It has been "asleep" for several months now. He has x-ray & checkups every 8wks. His doing well. Thou he has had other problems & his prone to chest infection. My husband is a strong willed man, a fighter & positive person.

At the moment he has fluid retention, around body & in lung. He takes diuretic tablets, the more he takes causes other problems. Has anyone else suffered with fluid retention . Any advice most welcome.

Love & Blessings .

[Bow-19]

I have NSCLC but when I was first diagnosed I was given 10 months to live. I had fluid on my lungs and the first treatment that I had was pleuradesis. I think it is attaching the lung to the chest wall. My lung was drained of fluid and fortunately hasn't needed to be drained since, although I understand that I do have a small amount of fluid on my lung.

Wishing your husband all the best Xx

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello betty444 and welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear that your husband has lung cancer, it is good to hear that he has responded well to the chemo and radiotherapy treatment.

Fluid retention or oedema is caused by the abnormal build up of fluid in the body, most common sites would be under the skin ankles and legs or within cavities of the body such as the abdomen or chest. I have added some links below to web sites which explain the causes of oedema and lymph-oedema and how to manage and cope with these symptoms.

It may also be useful to chat to the lung cancer specialist nurse, she may be able to give you advice on how best to manage your husbbands symptoms.

nhs.uk/conditions/oedema/Pa...

mariecurie.org.uk/help/term...

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

If you wish to discuss anything you can call our free nurse led helpline on 0333 323 7200

Kindest regards

The Roy Castle Support Team