Saturday, January 1, 2011

Can lung cancer cause paralysis


Can lung cancer cause paralysis?
Mom diagnosed with lung cancer in both lungs. She is in therapy since she is not able to stand or walk. What is the life expectancy? She is 58 years old and I am terribly afraid of losing her. What can I do to help her when she is discharged? :( Thanks.
Cancer - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
not that I know of, but chemo and radiation can cause nasty side effects. Likely, her inability to stand/walk is caused by severe weakness from the cancer/surgery or whatever she had. it is impossible to tell life expectancy when you didnt say what stage cancer she has.... just be there to listen, do things around the house that she cannot do.
2 :
Since the lung cancer is in both lungs this is consistent with metastatic or stage four lung cancer. Lung cancer frequently will metastasize to brain, bones, liver, and adrenals. If it involves the brain than it can cause symptoms like you describe depending on location and size. If it involves the vertebra it can result in compression of the spinal cord and subsequent weakness. Also some lung cancers secrete hormones or chemicals which can cause changes in calcium and other electrolytes. Finally, just having cancer uses up a great deal of calories and now with the addition of chemo or radiation her weakness may worsen. God bless.



Read more discussions :