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Posted 7/23/2013 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I do not post much, but have been around for many years.  I was dx with RA 11 years ago to the day, and I've taken both mtx combined with a biologic for much of that time.  Now I may have skin cancer caused by an impaired immune system (from the RA drugs).  I knew that the biologics were associated with lymphoma, but had not heard about the skin cancer, including the deadly melanoma.  I had a biopsy a couple of weeks ago, and when I called earlier today for the results (they told me it would take at least two weeks) they told me that they had tried to contact me on July 12th, almost 12 days ago.  The receptionist took the message, said my results were in, but that only the dr. or a tech could tell me what the results were. 

I'm not worried about the skin cancer, but if I have it, it is a very low grade cancer--non melanoma--that is easily treated by simply having the lesion removed.  But this waiting sucks!  Also, as I said earlier I had no idea that skin cancers were associated with the biologics.  The warning labels only list lymphoma, not skin cancer.  Did anyone else know this?

El

Posted 7/24/2013 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
oh my I'm so very sorry to hear that! Sure hope they can get the lesion removed and that that will be done, how often do you have to get follow up's? and geezee the waiting is aweful, I hate it too....Sure
hope your doctor can contact you soon...Many many prayers are with you so keep us posted, I care a lot and bet the others on here care as well, so keep us posted!

You can check www.drugs.com for a listing of side effects, but sometimes they do not put on it every little thing as the warnings scare many as they are listed...
Prayers and many well wishes and do keep us posted, so very sorry you have to go thru this...
Posted 7/24/2013 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi melanoma is brout on buy sunbathing. If you sunbath put on the
highest sunscreen number that they make. For me I do not lay in
the sun because of that reason. Also because I am taking Enbrel.
Posted 7/25/2013 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
I do not have melanoma, but basal cell carcinoma. And it is in a place not routinely exposed to the sun. Plus I've never had the patience to sunbathe.

I've taken a look at the side effects listed on the Internet for these drugs,and skin cancers are now listed for most of these.
Posted 7/25/2013 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
hopefully your doctor will be able to remove it all, do keep us posted, many prayers to you...please know I do truly care...
Posted 8/4/2013 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
I had a melanoma removed probably 10 years ago, it was caught very early and was just on the surface of my skin (called in situ) and I've had no reoccurrence, which is a relief! However, because I had skin cancer in the past, my doctor said she would not recommend putting me on a biologic for RA and I understood the reason is that the biologic meds can put you at risk for skin cancer. I am on MTX and sulfasalazine instead.
Posted 8/13/2013 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for your reply Grammyjam.

Yes, I've also recently read that any history of cancer, including the nonmelanoma skin cancers, excludes you from taking any of the biologics.  Last time I saw my rheumatologist, he suggested I try xeljanz.  But now with a skin cancer diagnosis, I'm not comfortable taking any of the biologics.  Fortunately, I seem to be ok so far on just methotrexate and tramadol.

Posted 3/6/2014 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you developed skin cancer, this post is months old, so I hope you have received treatment and are doing well!

My father had RA for may years, went on to develop skin cancer, when that was removed they discovered he had developed Leukemia, he passed away a few months later. I do not know if the RA drugs he was on caused this. I do not know what drugs he was on, he died in 1986, before biologic were available I believe.

from what I have read on here the biologics do not cause the cancer, but if you already have that propensity in your body then it can bring it out and make it develop.
Posted 3/7/2014 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hobbits2ndbreakfast,

I did have a skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma. It was removed by a surgeon and I'm back on orencia, but also under the care of a dermatologist. You are correct in that these drugs don't cause actual cancer, but will bring out any cancers you are already predisposed to getting. Both the surgeon and dermatologist told me I would like have more skin cancers. As long as they're not melanoma, I'm ok with that :)
Posted 3/7/2014 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi elcamino -

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm on Enbrel and it's good to know what kinds of things I should be looking out for. I'm very fair and had lots of sunburns as a kid (before sunblock was common), so I'll keep a better watch on my skin now.

Again, thank you.
Carole
Posted 3/7/2014 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
elcamino,

Im so glad to hear you had your basal cell carcinoma removed and are under doctors care. I thank you for posting because it reminds us how important it is to remember to do skin checks.
Posted 3/10/2014 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
My wife had the same skin cancer as elcamino. It is very common from what I understand.
Since I have been on biologics for so many years I have always made a point to be very careful with the sun. Enbrel especially made me very susceptible to sunburn. I had never had issues until I started it and it got me pretty good the first year and I have always been leery since then.
I worked for years out doors so I hope that I am not going to face this same issue as I get older. Glad to hear that it is a less severe form elcamino.
Posted 3/12/2014 4:45 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Don_D

You brought up an interesting point.  Usually the basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are found on older individuals.  I'm in my early 40's and definitely on the young side for basal cell.  I understand both of those skin cancers grow very very slowly so they don't usually show up until someone is in their 60's or 70's.  And I'm not a sunbather--never had the patience for that.  But when I was a kid, like most people my age, sun screen was not pushed.  I didn't use it, and have lots of damage (according to dermatologist) as a result--I can't see it but I leave that to the professionals.  I figure I wasn't supposed to get skin cancer until I was much older, but enbrel, and now orencia, may have accelerated the process.

Posted 3/12/2014 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting conversation. I remember reading that your chance of getting skin cancer is directly linked to the number of severe sunburns you had as a child. I'm a little older than you, elcamino, and my parents were outdoors a lot when I was little - boating, water-skiing, hiking, camping, etc. They tried to keep a hat on me, but it wasn't very successful and I remember a lot of sunburns.

As I've gotten older, I've been careful to put on sunscreen every day - I keep it in the bathroom and put it on right after my shower. I also use facial moisturizer than has sunscreen in it and keep sunscreen in my car. I live on the east side of Washington state, and we have a lot less rain than the west side. (And a lot fewer pine trees!)
Posted 3/12/2014 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I remember when Karol got it as well that the Doctor said that one doesn't usually get it until they are much older as well. She was 42 at the time and has very fair skin so she has always taken precautions with the sun. Just one of those things we figured but it came out well.

I on the other hand have never taken precautions with the sun. I never burned growing up so I always figured I would be fine and did everything I could to get some color up here in the PNW :) Once I started Enbrel that came to a screeching halt that is for sure and now after 20 years of biologics and MTX plus watching the procedure that Karol went through I am much more cautious. I just hope all those years of it before RA don't catch up with me. I'm glad it worked out well for you, it certainly is one of the lesser talked about concerns with biologics but it is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
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