It is difficult to say, based upon the limited information that you have provided. However, occasionally, advanced stages of lung cancer can involve the esophagus or/and the nerves that help to control swallowing, and this can cause problems with eating and swallowing. Moreover, some of the same risk factors associated with lung cancer (smoking and, to a lesser extent, increased alcohol intake) can also cause both benign and malignant disorders of throat, esophagus, and stomach. If it has not been performed already, then she should probably undergo an upper GI Series and upper GI endoscopy to rule-out some of these disorders that I have mentioned.
Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS
http://doctorwascher.com
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