Bulging abdomen, discomfort. Can chemotherapy cause it?
Patient: My uncle has stage 3 of MM, he is 68 years old. He just got diagnosed . After the chemotherapy he had in the hospital 4 sessions, 30%of the dosage, he is getting cured at home. He is using these drugs Bondronat 50, Sodio Bicarbonato Nova Argentia, Jena Purinol, Desametasone Soldesam. It has been about 15 days that he has problems of constipation , and the nurse has done Emptiness of the intestine . The problem is that his abdomen has bulged a lot and he doesnt feel good. What can be done? Can the chemotherapy cause the abdomen bulge? Is it risky? How long might he live under these conditions? Thanks a lot Doctor: Dear Erinda,  Your uncle was diagnosed with stage 3 multiple myeloma? Or malignant melanoma? These are different diseases and so you should give more details if you can. If it is a Multiple Myeloma, he has an incurable disease but nowadays there are several new treatments available which are very effective in obtaining clinical remission. Some of these therapies may cause constipation, and so the symptoms that your uncle has, may have been caused by the treatment. For that, he should take laxatives and eventually ocasional intestinal emptyness. He should drink plenty of water and try to have a diet with high fiber content. With time it is likelly that constipation will get better.  Best regards,  Rute Alvarez Hematologist