Heart and Blood Issues
Pericardial Effusion
Pericardial effusion is a buildup of fluid in the pericardium, the pouch that surrounds the heart. The extra fluid puts pressure on the heart and prevents it from expanding enough to fill with blood and pump it out to the body.
Pericardial effusion can happen when the tumor grows into lymph nodes in the chest. The cancer blocks drainage in the lymph system, which causes fluid to collect. Lung cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy sometimes cause pericardial effusion as a side effect.
Call your doctor about symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, fast heartbeat, dizziness, or a blue color to your lips. Without treatment, pericardial effusion can lead to cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening condition in which the heart stops beating. The main treatment for pericardial effusion is pericardiocentesis, which removes fluid from the pericardium.
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS)
The superior vena cava (SVC) is a large vein in the chest that carries blood from the head, neck, and arms to the heart. When a tumor presses on the SVC, it narrows the vein and slows blood flow.
SVCS is dangerous because it causes blood to back up in the SVC and can lead to life-threatening symptoms. Get medical help if you experience the following:
- Enlarged veins in the neck or chest
- Swelling in the face, neck, upper chest, or arms
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Dizziness or fainting
- Shortness of breath
Treatment for SVCS includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or surgery to remove the tumor. Placing a small tube called a stent inside the SVC keeps the vein open to improve blood flow.
Blood Clots
Hypercalcemia
Hypercalcemia is high calcium levels in the blood. Having too much of this mineral can weaken bones, damage the kidneys, and cause an abnormal heart rhythm. Lung cancer, especially late-stage cancer, increases the risk for hypercalcemia.
Symptoms include:
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Stomach pain
- Bone pain
- Muscle weakness
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
Some people with hypercalcemia need treatment with IV fluids in a hospital to lower calcium levels. Medications like bisphosphonates, denosumab, and calcitonin are another way to bring down calcium levels in the blood and preserve bone strength.
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