Is breathlessness normal in a woman after lung surgery at 54?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

How are you and your mother? I hope that she is safe after the operation and has completed the treatment.

Regarding the attacks of shortness of breath, this is expected because she had lung cancer (a malignant tumor that originates in the tissues of the lungs), and there may be some residual effects and some effects from treatment.

Regarding facial swelling, this is the important point for us because if the face becomes swollen with shortness of breath, we suspect something called superior vena cava obstruction (obstruction of blood flow through the SVC) or possible spread of the disease to another place outside the lung.

In this case, we need to repeat a CT (computed tomography) scan. If such symptoms occur, we should repeat imaging. We usually repeat scans in such cases every six months.

This situation is considered urgent, but it does not necessarily mean that the tumor has spread to other places. However, when we see these signs, we repeat the scan.

Regarding food and nutrition, it is important that she eats fruits and vegetables, drinks plenty of water, and reduces activity a bit so she does not exert herself.

We must closely monitor facial swelling and shortness of breath. Both need attention because if they increase, this becomes an emergency, and we may need to go to the hospital, receive oxygen, and perform imaging to ensure there is no spread.

Even if there is a spread, we still treat it and can give radiation to the chest with very good results, and things often return to normal. However, this requires good monitoring and follow-up within seven days.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.