Management of acute spinal cord compression in multiple myeloma
'Healthy' Woman, 32, Riddled With Cancer Stuns Doctors When They Discover Surprising First Symptom
A MUM who suddenly went blind in one eye turned out to have lung cancer, medics have revealed.
The 32-year-old from India had never smoked but doctors discovered she was riddled with tumours that had previously not caused any other symptoms.
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A mum who suddenly went blind in one eye turned out to have lung cancerCredit: Elsevier3
Dr Alok Pratap Singh, of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, said the case shows doctors should always check for lung cancer in patients with vision issues.
He said: "Despite widespread malignant involvement, the patient was completely asymptomatic and active except for visual disturbances.
"This case further emphasises the necessity of prompt and priority-based evaluation of patients for lung carcinoma whenever doubtful intraocular lesions are noted.
"It seems that these cases represent a distinct subset of lung malignancy."
Lung cancer is the UK's biggest cancer killer, leading to more than 35,000 deaths a year.
Around 6,000 Brits who have never smoked get lung cancer annually, making up around 10 per cent of all cases.
When the disease spreads to other parts of the body it is known as metastatic cancer.
Tumours develop in the eyes in around 0.1 to seven per cent of metastatic lung cancer cases.
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She went to hospital after losing vision, with occasional flashes of light in her left eye over the previous 20 days.
Sun Health Explainer: What is cancer?There was no pain or redness around either of her eyes and she also has not suffered injuries or problems with other parts of her body, she said.
Scans found a growth on the inside black surface known medically as the fundus of her right eye.
Small growths were also spotted on her left eye but blood tests showed she had red and white blood cell counts in the normal range.
She was given a chest X-ray which revealed growths in her lower right lung which doctors suspected was cancerous.
Further tests revealed tumours across multiple organs in her body and she was diagnosed with lung carcinoma with choroidal metastasis in both the eyes.
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Scans found a growth on the inside black surface known medically as the fundus of her right eyeCredit: ElsevierWHAT IS LUNG CANCER?
LUNG cancer is the most deadly common cancer in the UK.
It is considered a common cancer alongside prostate, breast and bowel, which together make up more than half of all new cases.
Around 49,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year and 35,000 die from it.
Just one in 10 patients survive for a decade or more after being diagnosed and lung tumours make up 21 per cent of cancer deaths in the UK but only 13 per cent of cases.
The main reason that it is so deadly is that symptoms are not obvious in the early stages.
When signs do appear they may include:
The NHS does not routinely screen for lung cancer but is rolling out more tests to smokers and ex-smokers at high risk, in a bid to catch it earlier. Testing may involve X-rays and chest CT scans.
Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer and accounts for about 70 per cent of cases.
Risk may also be higher for people who have inhaled other fumes or toxic substances at work, such as asbestos, coal smoke or silica.
Doctors Discover Tumour In New Mum's Chest After 'pregnancy Disguised Symptoms'
Watch: Mum diagnosed with cancer after doctors discover a 12cm tumour when she was 32 weeks pregnantA new mum has revealed how she was diagnosed with cancer after doctors discovered a tumour in her chest when she was 32 weeks pregnant.
Zoe Plastiras, 24, a beautician, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, hadn't experienced any signs of lymphoma - a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system - and believes her pregnancy could have masked the symptoms.
In September 2022, two months off her due date, Plastiras woke up struggling to breathe and immediately called 111. She was told to go to A&E where she underwent a chest x-ray.
Zoe Plastiras was 32 weeks pregnant when doctors discovered a tumour in her chest, which was later diagnosed as lymphoma - a form of cancer. (Joe Bird/SWNS)
Doctors discovered a 12cm tumour in her chest, but were unable to determine whether it was cancerous until she gave birth.
Her daughter, Ophelia, now one, was born at 37 weeks and in December 2022, Plastiras underwent a biopsy which revealed the lymphoma.
Though she hadn't noticed any symptoms during pregnancy soon after Ophelia was born she lost a stone in weight, started experiencing night sweats and suffering from itchy skin - all signs of the disease.
Plastiras' chest X-ray revealed a 12cm tumour. (Joe Bird/SWNS)
In February 2022, Plastiras and her partner Joe Bird, 28, a heating engineer, found out they were expecting their first child.
"I was so happy," she explains.
"Up until my diagnosis, everything was completely normal - I had a straightforward pregnancy until I woke up one morning feeling like I wasn't breathing properly and went to hospital to get checked out.
"They tested my heart, I had bloods and an MRI," she continues. They told me I had a tumour but said they were happy for my pregnancy to continue as normal.
"When they told me it was a tumour they used the word 'mass' but it didn't correlate.
"I asked if they were testing me for cancer and I was so shocked when I was told they were as I had no symptoms."
Plastiras says she was told that she had just a 1% chance of being diagnosed with lymphoma because she wasn't presenting with any typical symptoms, which include fatigue, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.
Plastiras has her head shaved after being diagnosed with cancer. (Joe Bird/SWNS)
Her pregnancy continued as normal with baby Ophelia arriving via emergency c-section on October 4, 2022, at 6.54am, weighing 6lbs 3oz.
Around a month later Plastiras had two needle biopsies, which were unsuccessful as doctors were unable to retrieve a sample.
But following a further biopsy in December, the new mum was told she had lymphoma.
"As soon as Ophelia arrived I lost weight very quickly, which I thought it was weird," she explains.
"It is like my pregnancy masked the symptoms and once I was no longer pregnant it was like the cancer took over.
"I went from being 11 stone with my pregnancy weight to being 9lb 2oz - the weight fell off me."
After spending a difficult Christmas waiting to hear about treatment options, which she describes as "one of the worst times of her life" in 2023 Plastiras began a six round course of chemotherapy, which shrunk the tumour from 12cm to 1cm.
Plastiras was diagnosed with cancer after giving birth to her daughter Ophelia. (Joe Bird/SWNS)
She also had radiotherapy before facing a three month wait to find out if the cancer had gone.
"I got the results just after Ophelia's first birthday," she says.
"I thought I was going to be declared cancer-free, but in fact the tumour had grown to 2.5cm.
"I was devastated, I couldn't believe it."
Following a trial of inpatient chemotherapy which she underwent earlier this years, Plastiras is now awaiting next steps as the tumour still has not been eradicated.
"I am either going to have stem cell transplant with my own cells or CAR T-cell therapy," she explains.
Understandably Plastiras' cancer journey has had an impact on her enjoyment of motherhood.
"I feel sad and angry," she adds.
"It has ruined the way I feel about my experience as a first time mum."
Plastiras in hospital during treatment. (Joe Bird/SWNS)
What is lymphoma?Lymphoma is a form of cancer that usually starts in the lymph system, which is part of the body's immune system.
It is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and the most common blood cancer in the UK, according to statistics from charity Lymphoma Action.
The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma is different from other types of lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system. According to Cancer Research UK there are more than 60 different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They can behave in very different ways and need different treatments.
Symptoms of lymphoma depend on the lymphoma type and where it is in the body, but some common signs may include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, breathlessness, unexplained weight loss and itchy skin.
It is important to note however, that these can have other causes and having one or more doesn't necessarily mean that you have lymphoma.
If you get a diagnosis of lymphoma, your treatment plan will depend on the type of lymphoma you have, your age, general health and how aggressive your cancer is, as some types of lymphoma may be slow-growing.
According to Cancer Research UK the main treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma include chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
For non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment may include chemotherapy, targeted drugs, steroids, radiotherapy and transplants.
Additional reporting SWNS.
Read more about cancer and treatments:Lung Cancer Symptoms: Unusual Change To Your Voice That You Should Never Ignore
A little-known symptom which can be an indicator of lung cancer should not be ignored as it could be a sign of lung cancer says health experts. It may sound husky, strained, breathy, weak, or tired
There are several lesser known symptoms of lung cancer such as hoarseness (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
An unusual change to your voice should not be ignored – as it could be a lesser known symptom of lung cancer.
Doctors say normal signs of the condition do not develop early on and tend to develop as the condition moves forward or progresses. Typical symptoms of cancer in the lung include a cough that does not go away after three weeks or a long standing a long-standing cough that gets worse. Others include chest infections which keep returning and even coughing up blood.
But one of the lesser know symptoms, which should also be paid attention to, is a hoarse voice which is not widely known as a sign of lung cancer, but can signify signs of the disease. Changes in your voice can be triggered by smoking or a vocal cord infection, which can lead to a malignant tumour.
A hoarse voice is not widely known as a sign of lung cancer (Image:
Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)It is among a series of ailments which are not widely know and can signal evidence of lung cancer.
The NHS says less common symptoms of lung cancer can include:
Image:
Getty Images)These are are added to the more well known conditions such as ache or pain when breathing or coughing, persistent breathlessness, tiredness or lack of energy or a loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss. Which the NHS consider are more prominet.
The Mirror reported earlier that a persistent croaky voice or ongoing hoarseness could be a sign that you have one of the deadliest by death rate cancers and you should immediately see a doctor.
Hoarseness is a less-known symptom of lung cancer. It is often caused by an irritation or injury to the vocal cords. In most instances, the problem will go away on its own after a short period. If you are experiencing hoarseness, you will spot a difference in your voice. It may sound raspy, husky, strained, breathy, weak, inconsistent or tired.
Smoking can spark an infection and lead to a malignant tumour (Image:
Getty Images)You may also notice you are speaking in a higher or lower pitch than normal. This often makes it difficult to talk. There are many different causes for hoarseness, including swelling of the voice box. This is often caused by a respiratory tract infection, acid reflux.
This is where stomach acid or enzymes irritate the throat, a build-up of soft tissue on the vocal cords which is often related to smoking, paralysed vocal cords which can come from an infection or a benign or malignant tumour.
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