Cancer Effects on Feet and Ankles

If you or someone in your life is battling cancer, you are very aware how cancer treatments can impact your overall health and well-being. Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical interventions can cause a range of foot and limb issues like swelling (known as edema), neuropathy (numbness), and changes in your skin. These complications can impede your mobility and ability to perform daily activities which affects your quality of life. It’s critical to monitor and manage your foot and ankle health throughout your cancer treatment and have a healthcare provider professionally address any issues. What should you look for:

• Swelling and Edema – This is the result of a buildup of fluid in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Edema can worsen throughout the day, cause discomfort and make it difficult to wear shoes. Persistent and life-impacting edema should be evaluated and treated promptly.
• Neuropathy and Nerve Damage – Peripheral neuropathy can result from chemotherapy treatments and cause tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in the feet. These symptoms can increase your risk of injuries, infections, and falls.
• Skin and Soft Tissue Damage – Chemotherapy can cause dry skin, rashes, or painful fissures while radiation therapy can result in localized burns, fibrosis, or inflammation. These symptoms can impact flexibility, cause stiffness, and make mobility challenging.
• Bone and Tumor Changes – It’s rare, but bone cancers (osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, chondrosarcoma) can affect your toes, forefoot, midfoot, or hindfoot causing pain, swelling, or
  visible lumps.
• Surgical Complications – Surgical interventions for cancer in the lower extremities can change your foot structure and function. Additionally, post-surgical complications like infection, delayed healing, or scarring can cause pain and impact your mobility.

It takes a comprehensive approach to manage foot and ankle complications from cancer treatments.

• Be open and honest with your healthcare team. From your oncologist to your podiatrist, they all need
  to understand the entire picture and work collaboratively to assure your healthcare journey stays on a positive track.
• If you’re challenged with edema, elevate your legs and use compression garments to reduce swelling.
• Regular check yourself for skin changes, infections, or wounds and have them checked by your physician if they’re slow to heal or appear to spread.
• If recommended, work with physical therapy to develop a plan to improve your mobility and minimize or prevent stiffness.

Cancer treatment side effects can be challenging to deal with – both physically and emotionally. It’s critical to keep your entire healthcare team informed, so they can develop and adjust the healthcare plan that best works for you throughout your care.