Lung cancer can affect the body in a variety of ways. Some symptoms of lung cancer are what you’d expect, while others may come as a surprise. One often unexpected result of lung cancer is swelling, or edema, in the face.

You can experience facial swelling at any point during your lung cancer journey. There are a variety of possible causes, ranging from lung cancer itself to cancer treatment options and more. Here’s what you and your oncologist (cancer specialist) need to know about face swelling and how to deal with it.

Causes of Face Swelling With Lung Cancer

Several possible causes of facial swelling are related to lung cancer There are also conditions unrelated to lung cancer that cause swelling in the face.

Lymphedema

Large tumors can put pressure on your lymphatic system, including your lymph nodes. These are small organs found throughout the body that play a role in the immune system. Pressure on the lymphatic system can prevent lymph fluid from moving and draining properly, leading to a blockage. This blockage can cause swelling, also called lymphedema. If fluid builds up and creates a blockage of lymph fluid in your face, it can cause swelling there.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome is similar to lymphedema, except it’s when tumors put pressure on a major vein in the chest area, called the vena cava. In this case, blood can't flow as usual and it builds up. Facial swelling from superior vena cava syndrome can be severe.

Pancoast tumors are tumors that occur only in the top part of the lungs. They can cause superior vena cava syndrome. They are one of several types of lung cancer, and they can cause symptoms including:

• Sharp pain in the shoulder area
• Tightness in the chest
• Odd sensations or loss of sensation in the arms or hands
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Lung Cancer Treatments

Some medications that treat lung cancer can also cause facial swelling. Both chemotherapy and immunotherapy may cause swelling in the face, although rarely. Steroids, which may be prescribed for the side effects of chemo, can also cause swelling.

Lack of Physical Activity

If you’re tired, weak, or in pain because of lung cancer or its treatments, you may find it hard to move around as usual. A lack of movement can cause or contribute to swelling in the face. When you move around, it helps circulate fluid throughout all the parts of your body. Not moving regularly can make it hard for your body to complete this process.

Related Conditions

People with lung cancer are more likely to also have cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease. Swelling in your face may indicate a heart problem. When your heart isn't working normally, it doesn’t move the blood through your body tissues effectively. This means that blood and excess fluid can build up in your body and sometimes show up as swelling in your face.

Among the various common symptoms of cardiovascular disease are:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up blood

Other Causes

When you live with lung cancer, it can be tempting to assume that every symptom you experience is caused by that condition. However, you can experience swelling in your face for several reasons unrelated to lung cancer.

The most common causes include:

• Allergic reaction
• Infection
• Problems with the salivary glands
• Infected sinuses
• Abscessed tooth
• Stye in an eye

Eating a lot of sodium (salt) can also cause general swelling, including swelling in your face.

Managing Face Swelling With Lung Cancer

If your face is swelling, there are a few things you can do to help limit it or manage it when it occurs.

Decrease the Salt in Your Diet

Reducing the amount of sodium in your diet can help reduce face swelling. If you eat a lot of salt, this could be very important. Even if you don’t eat much, reducing your intake could help limit the amount of swelling you experience.

If you’re not sure how to reduce your salt intake, talk to your health care provider. They can refer you to a dietitian who can look at what you eat and point out alternatives. They can also make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need to fight lung cancer.

Move as Much as You Can

Moving your body regularly can help reduce the amount of swelling you experience. It’s even better if you can move the part of your body that's swollen, as that will promote the circulation of fluid rather than fluid retention.

If you’re weak, tired, or in pain, talk to your health care team about how you can incorporate more movement into your days. They can also help you find ways to treat pain so that moving is easier for you. You may need to work with a physical therapist who specializes in exercise for people with lung cancer so you can move safely and effectively.

If you’re swollen because of lymphedema, moving your head, neck, jaw, and shoulder in specific ways may help drain the extra lymphatic fluid. These exercises should not be too taxing, but you should always stop and talk to your health care provider if you experience new or worsening pain while doing them.

Try Specialized Massage for Lymphedema

If your face is swelling because of lymphedema, a specialized massage technique called manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) may help. Your oncology provider may be able to do this for you, refer you to a specialist, or teach you the techniques so you can do it yourself.

Note that MLD will only work if your swelling is due to lymphedema. Swelling due to other causes will need to be handled in other ways.

Talk to Your Doctor About Medications

If medications are causing your swelling, talk to your doctor about changing medications or doses. After all, you need to be able to balance your lung cancer treatment and the rest of your life. In some cases, this may be possible. Other times, your cancer care team may decide to treat the swelling and keep you on a medication that’s effectively treating your lung cancer.

Changing medication dosages worked for one MyLungCancerTeam member who shared, “I have had to drop my daily dosage in half, due to tongue and mouth swelling.”

Medications called diuretics can help your body eliminate extra fluid and reduce swelling. These medications help your kidneys get rid of more water and salt. You will need to work with your doctor to find a dosage that’s effective for you without side effects, like hypotension (low blood pressure).

Never add or change medications without talking to your health care provider first. They’ll be able to help you do this safely and ensure you still have effective treatment for lung cancer throughout the process.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Have you experienced face swelling with lung cancer? What was your experience like? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.