Hello
I have been diagnosed with lung cancer i am 39. Its small cell carcinoma. I have finished chemo radiotherapy and pci radiotherapy. I have numbness in my lower lip and chin and my face is slightly swollen. My last radiotherapy was april 3rd. I have just stopped taking dexamethasone. I attended A&E on Tuesday as i started to cough up blood again. All checks were ok. Could the numbness be a side effect from treatment?
Thanks so much.
Hello Kescon1.
Thanks for getting in touch and a warm welcome to the Online Community. I’m Heidi one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line.
I am glad to see you have found our lung cancer forum as well as the new to the community forum, radiotherapy and side effects forum, emotional support forum, chemotherapy forum and diagnosed at a young age forum. I really hope you are finding them supportive.
You mentioned that you have had both chemoradiation and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) radiotherapy for small cell lung cancer.
You did the right thing by getting your symptoms assessed at A&E and I am glad that the checks were all okay.
It is understandable that you would want to find out the cause of your symptoms, particularly as they are on-going.
We know that both chemoradiation and PCI can cause side effects. In general the side effects of PCI radiotherapy usually get worse around the second week of treatment and will be at their worst at the end or just after your treatment course.
Side effects should start to improve, but it might take a few weeks to months.
It is a possibility that the treatment has affected nerves or has caused the swelling but as we don't have access to your medical records it is difficult to know exactly what the underlying cause might be.
It’s important that if you experience any unwanted side-effect or symptom as a result of treatment then you must make your team aware, they are best placed to assess and manage these symptoms.
We would always advise with any new or worsening symptom that you contact a doctor, your hospital team or NHS 111 to talk about that with them today.
If you have a specialist nurse, please do contact them about your symptoms, equally your chemotherapy support line or radiography department may be able to help.
Dexamethasone is a steroid that can be used as part of cancer treatment or to control symptoms. It may help to keep a symptom diary to show your doctor, the information will be useful in manging symptoms and understanding the underlying cause. It would be useful to let your specialist team know if your symptoms have become worse since stopping the dexamethasone.
You mentioned that you are only 39, Shine Cancer Support is particularly for younger people and you may find their information and support helpful.
In terms of your own wellbeing and recovery Penny Brohn UK has some gentle resources for self-care.
Dealing with cancer can be an emotional time and you might find it helpful to read our web pages about getting emotional support. You can also check our webpage to find details of support and information organisations in your area.
Sometimes talking things through can help so please don’t hesitate to call the nursing team on 0808 808 0000 – we are here every day from 8am to 8pm.
Best wishes and take care,
Heidi
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 email us.
Ref/VG/HC
Thank you so much. I will contact my team today and let them know about it. 
