Hi, My mom is suffering from nasopharyngeal carcinoma from Aug 2011. When we diagnosed the disease the doctor informed that she is in Stage IV. After Chemotherapy and Radiotheraphy treatments, the doctor told that the disease is not present in the body right now (Feb 2012). Afterwards she was good till last May 2012. Afterwards she is suffering from fever , not able to eat food properly, breathing problems, etc.. Are these side-effects of the treatment ? or Anything going wrong on her body. Please provide me your suggestions. Thanks in Advance. Regards, Suresh (India)
Hi Suresh, Welcome to Chat Doctor Physicians desk! The nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a difficult disease to treat and notorious for aggressive recurrence. Fever and shortness of breath is not a side effect of chemotherapy, but it may be due to pneumonia which is a very common in this group of patients and can be very challenging to treat if extensive. I would advise you to review to an equipped health center and get a proper work up, advise and treatment as soon as possible. There is no scope of trial antibiotics in your patients because you should get CBC, CRP, FT, blood and sputum culture and chest x-ray prior to start of treatment and follow up. I think the advice would be helpful for you. If you still have queries if any, please feel free to communicate back. Wish you a great heath.