What happened to my swollen feet after chemotherapy for breast cancer?

What happens if my feet swell after chemotherapy for breast cancer?

Foot swelling after breast cancer chemotherapy may be related to factors such as side effects of chemotherapy drugs, malnutrition, and deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremities, as follows:

1. Side effects of chemotherapy drugs

If the chemotherapy drugs used by breast cancer patients cause damage to the kidneys, it will lead to renal insufficiency, causing water and sodium retention in the body and unable to be discharged in time, resulting in swollen feet after chemotherapy. Generally, it can be relieved by itself after stopping the drug, so patients don't need to worry too much.

2. Malnutrition

If breast cancer patients are malnourished, gastrointestinal reactions such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea during chemotherapy will lead to malnutrition, which in turn leads to hypoproteinemia, which is manifested as swollen feet after chemotherapy, and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as physical fatigue and pale complexion. Patients can supplement nutrition by eating. Patients who cannot eat can consider parenteral nutrition intervention, which can usually improve malnutrition.

3. Deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities

If breast cancer patients are less active during chemotherapy and stay in bed for a long time, it may cause deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs, resulting in poor blood circulation, swelling of the feet, pain in the lower limbs, and cold skin temperature after chemotherapy. Patients need early medical intervention to improve prognosis and prevent blood clots from entering the heart, lungs, brain and other parts through the blood circulation, causing more serious effects on the body.

If breast cancer patients have renal insufficiency, heart failure and other conditions, it may also cause swollen feet after chemotherapy.