Lung cancer can affect the body in many ways. It can cause symptoms you might have never associated with lung cancer. One of these is edema (swelling) in the legs and feet.

For some people, swelling in the legs or feet is one of the first symptoms of lung cancer. One member of MyLungCancerTeam shared, “My brother was diagnosed about four months ago. He had swelling in his legs and swelling in his fingertips.”

There are several aspects of living with lung cancer that can cause swelling in the feet and legs. Here’s what you need to know so you and your oncology (cancer care) team can address your swelling issues, treat your lung cancer, and help improve your quality of life.

What Causes Swelling in the Legs and Feet With Lung Cancer?

Several factors can cause swelling in your legs and feet while living with lung cancer:

• Lung cancer tumors
• Lung cancer treatments
• Lung cancer surgery
• Lack of exercise or movement
• Related or unrelated conditions

Lung Cancer Tumors

With lung cancer, you might only have tumors in your lungs. If the cancer metastasizes (spreads), tumors can start growing in other parts of your body.

Large tumors can put pressure on your lymphatic system and blood vessels. They can interrupt the normal functioning of these systems and cause blockages, which can cause swelling in some parts of the body.

When your lymphatic system can’t drain properly, this is called lymphedema. The lymph fluid that usually flows through the lymph vessels then builds up, causing swelling, usually in the arms or legs.

Lung Cancer Treatments

Some medications that treat lung cancer can cause swelling in your feet and legs. Both chemotherapy and immunotherapy may cause swelling.

Oftentimes, chemotherapy and steroids are prescribed together. Steroids can cause your body to hold on to excess water, which can also lead to swelling.

Members of MyLungCancerTeam commonly discuss cancer treatment as a cause of swelling. “I know how bad your legs can hurt with the swelling,” one member said. “Mine hurt so bad and were so red that I cried all the time. When they changed the chemo, my legs got better.”

Another member added, “I have troublesome lymphedema in my legs brought on by the targeted medication I take to treat the cancer.”

Lung Cancer Surgery

If your lung cancer has spread to your lymph nodes, your oncologist may recommend surgery to remove the affected lymph nodes. When you have fewer lymph nodes, the lymphatic system can’t work as well as it used to, and it can’t move lymph fluid through the body as efficiently. This can lead to a build-up of fluid. This type of swelling commonly affects the hands and feet.

Lack of Exercise or Movement

If you’re not moving around enough, it can cause or contribute to swelling in your legs and feet. Living with lung cancer and undergoing treatment can cause fatigue, tiredness, and pain, all of which may make it difficult to be very active.

When you’re active, it helps circulate fluid throughout your body. Not moving regularly can make it hard for your body to manage fluids properly.

Related Conditions

People with lung cancer are more likely to also have cardiovascular disease. Swelling in your legs and feet can be a sign of a heart problem. When your heart is not working properly, it can’t move blood through your body effectively. This means that blood and excess fluid can build up in your body, causing swelling in your legs and feet.

Causes Unrelated to Lung Cancer

When living with lung cancer, it can be tempting to assume that every symptom is caused by the cancer. However, you can experience swelling in your legs and feet for many reasons unrelated to lung cancer. These include:

• Kidney failure or kidney damage
• A blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT)
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Some prescription medications
• Extended periods of standing or sitting
• Leg or foot injuries
• Arthritis in the legs or feet

In addition, wearing tight clothing around your waist, legs, or feet could cause swelling in the lower half of your body. Eating a lot of sodium (salt) can also cause swelling.

If you’re dealing with swelling, it’s important to talk to your health care provider. They should be able to help you figure out the cause of your swelling so you can find a treatment that is effective and restores your quality of life.

Managing Swelling in the Legs and Feet With Lung Cancer

If you're living with swelling in your legs and feet with lung cancer, there are a few things you can do to better manage it.

Get Moving 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 fluid circulation rather than a build-up of fluid.

If you’re weak, tired, or in pain, talk to your health care team about how you can incorporate more movement into your daily life. They can also help you find ways to treat pain to make moving easier. 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.

Reduce Sodium in Your Diet

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

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. That person can also make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need to fight lung cancer.

Wear Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are tight socks that are available in different lengths. The pressure created by compression stockings helps reduce swelling by making it harder for your legs to swell up. You can buy stockings with less pressure at your local drugstore, or get a prescription if you need higher levels of pressure. Note that you will need to wear these stockings often for them to be effective.

Speak with your doctor before trying compression socks. Bear in mind that they aren’t recommended for people with certain medical conditions, including peripheral artery disease and edema from heart failure.

Try a Pneumatic Pump

A pneumatic pump is a padded stocking that can inflate. You put it on, attach it to the provided pump, and it applies pressure to the swollen areas. This pressure can help reduce swelling.

These pumps are expensive, so you may want to check if your insurance covers the treatment. However, they do help if you use them consistently.

One MyLungCancerTeam member tried a pneumatic pump on the advice of their physical therapist (PT). They explained, “The PT I see ordered me a pneumatic pump (cost over $10,000 but covered by Medicare and Supplement). I use it for an hour every day, and it seems to be helping a bit.”

Talk to Your Doctor About Medications

If lung cancer medications are causing your swelling, talk to your doctor about changing medications or changing 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, like it was for the member above who was able to change chemotherapy drugs. Other times, your doctor may decide to treat the swelling and keep you on the lung cancer medication if it’s effectively treating your lung cancer.

Medications called diuretics can help your body eliminate extra fluid. 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 is effective for you without side effects, like low blood pressure.

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

Find Your Team

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.

Do you have swelling in your legs and feet alongside lung cancer? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.