Mouth ulcers and bleeding tongue

Hi SandraJM 

Thanks for getting in touch with our online community. My name’s Louise and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists here. 

It’s important to report any changes or concerns to the healthcare team. We would encourage your brother to contact his hospital team on the 24-hour helpline he has been given straight away. If he can’t reach the hospital team, he can phone 111. They will be able to assess him and arrange any medications to make him more comfortable.  

You mention your brother was seen yesterday and the nurse said his mouth was swollen and sore. Chemotherapy can cause certain side effects which some people struggle with more than others. Lowering the dose of chemotherapy can help with difficult side effects and make treatment much easier to manage. 

Chemotherapy can cause sore mouth or ulcers which can be extremely painful. A sore mouth or ulcers can also become infected. If infection is left untreated it can lead to sepsis which can be life-threatening. Infection may also lead to delays in treatment.  

Chemotherapy can also cause nausea and vomiting. Mouth ulcers and nausea can make it difficult for people to eat, which not only makes enjoying food difficult, but can also lead to weight loss, which also may potentially delay treatment.  

Here on the support line we do not have access to medical records, therefore we are unable to suggest the best remedies for your brother, but I hope the links in the information above may provide some helpful tips. 

Some people find it helpful to share experiences with others in a similar situation. You can find this type of support here on our online community. You can also find support in your area.  

You can also call us. One of our nurses would be happy to talk things through. 

Kind regards   

Louise, 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.   

Our Ref: KA