Q: My mother who is 60 years of age has been diagnosed with stage III B cancer of the left breast. She is undergoing neo-adjuvant chemotheraphy of 4 cycles. The drugs administered are Cyclophosphamide and Adriamycin. She has already undergone three cycles of chemo. There is a heavy swelling of her left hand and the finger nails are getting discoloured. Is this a normal side effect of chemo? The doctor has advised mastectomy after 4 cycles of chemo are completed. What are the chances of a successful surgery?

A:She is getting the right therapy. She should be operated if tumour responds to chemotherapy. That assessment is only possible by the doctor (on examination of the patient). Swelling is possibly due to the cancer and nail changes may be due to chemotherapy.