Swollen Black Legs following debulking & chemo

[ME914]

My dear sister was diagnosed with Advanced Ovarian Cancer Stage IV in April 2007; surgery followed in May 2007; chemo was completed in October of 2007.   The most difficult problem she is having is that her legs (from the knee down) are almost black & swelling more.  Her comment is that "it is like walking around on wooden telephone poles".  Her pelvic lymph nodes were removed and we understand from her oncologist that "some women" have this condition to deal with and some do not.  She wears support hosiery and tries to elevate her legs at night and as often as possible during the day.  Question:  Can this condition be treated?  What will help her?    

[ireneo]

If she has any changes at all in her legs or develops sudden shortness of breath or chest pain or visual problems, get her to the ER please. It just sounds like her circulation is so bad in her legs. But I'm not a doctor, just a worry wart. Let us know what you all find out.

[msjazz]

I am glad she is contacting her doctor. Let us know. Donna

[ME914]

Thank you everyone for your updates.  My sister is not a diabetic; the color in her legs does not subside even when she elevates her legs.  She has not been given any blood thinner.  She completed her six rounds of both Carbo/Taxol and has had recurrent bladder infections, accompanied by a flu-like illness.  She is slight, yet seems quite strong.  Her lymph nodes were totally removed (pelvic region), however, recently it is reported that this may not necesarily be the best course as it does not prolong life any more than the five years anticipated and prevents quality of life in many cases.  She is contacting her primary care doctor as her appointment with the oncologist is not until late July.  From her sister.  

[ireneo]

The original post was by ME914 concerning her sister. I hope she comes back and gives us more info or an update.

[BeachGal7]

Hello ireneo, My left leg was just swelling at the time.. color did not change... is this person diabetic..

[OVCIndia]

No,  My mother just experienced swelling in her left leg

[ireneo]

Did either of you experience the color change as well? Leg swelling occurs for many different reasons. It's the pooling of the blood in the legs, turning them dark that concerns me. Just wondering. . . .

[OVCIndia]

My mother too had her pelvic lymph nodes removed during debulking.  She finished 6 cycles of carbo/Taxol and is currently on consolidation IP cisplatin for 3 rounds of which she is done with 2.  Lately she has been complaining of swelling in her left leg.  On doing some research I found out that this condition is called lymphedema and is caused when lymph nodes are damaged due to surgery or other causes.  Google lymphedema and you will get lot of information on how to manage this condition.

-OVCIndia

[BeachGal7]

Hello ME914, I was diagnosed in April 2006 with OVCA Stage IIIb, and after surgery in May 2006 I took chemo up until October 2006.  During that time, my left leg was swelling up and I was taking the blood thinner called Fragmin.  I know some patients use Coumadin.  I haven't needed Fragmin since I completed chemo...

[ireneo]

That sounds very frightening. I'm only familiar with heart related things but if a person's leg circulation is so bad that the legs turn almost black, I would worry (a lot) about tissue necrosis. When she elevates her legs, do they go back to a normal color again? I do hope some of the women on this board can share their experience on this one.