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Lip sores?

Germolene
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Hi

Ive just finished my treatment and am starting my first week with no radiotherapy and chemo sessions. I am very pleased although the actual sessions were made very comfortable and apart from some minor side effects they sessions were no real problems. 

In the last few weeks and even more so now I have developed these sores on my lower lip and has spread to the tip of my tongue

They are not cold sores but really are an eye sore. Quite large and white creamy. It is not painful and is soft to touch. I suppose I could say it is a soft scab and if I were to pick it, the lip underneath is red and will bleed. What is is. What can I put on it. How long does it last. 

I have all the mucus mouth washes and sprays the team at the Oncology gave me. And I put Vaseline on my lips.

Can you advise

  • Hi Germolene,

    Thank you for getting in touch, and welcome to our online community. I’m Annerose one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan support line.

    I am pleased to hear you have finished your treatment and it went reasonably well for you.

    It is difficult to know on this platform what those sores you developed could be. Mouth problems like this could be a sign of oral mucositis which is a side effect of cancer treatment that can appear even weeks after you finished your treatment.

    We would always advise you contact your oncology team or your Clinical Nurse specialist if you have one for worsening symptoms or side effects. It does sound like those sores are getting worse and as it is your first week after finishing your treatment, it is important to inform your team about it.   

    I understand you might have spoken to them already as you have already had mouthwashes and sprays, but it is still the best way forward to let them know that it is not getting better. They would want to know and can assess and advise any changes in treatment that might be necessary.

    I hope this information has been helpful, please don’t hesitate and contact us again if you want to talk about this some more.

    Best wishes and take care 

    Annerose (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist) 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref/  DT

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