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Skin lesion/cancer??

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Posted 11/3/2008 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what to call this. I started the clinical trial for ABT-874 a week ago. I'm not really any better, though I only had 3 BMs today (good considering I've had 6-11 on average for the past several months), but I did have to take a pain pill, so that might have compromised a few of them.

Regardless, I've been on steroids (as much as 40mg, currently 30mg) since July. Steroids wreak havoc on my system. If it's a side effect, I get it, period.

Today, I found these brownish almost freckles on my face. I'm fairly freckle free. I'm really light skinned though. Anyway, they are sort of bump like. Not huge, or anything, but they are not flush to my skin.

My daughter has her 15mo check-up this week and I'm going to mention it to her doc, which is my family doc too. I'm freaking out about it though. I read just a little bit on the internet...and well.. I guess it's possible to get skin cancer when you are on immunosuppressives.

Just a little freaked for the moment..can anyone give me some insight? Photos to look at and compare? Websites to read? I'm going to have a doc check it out, but in the meantime, I am obviously worried about the potential possibilities....even if they are small.

TIA!
Posted 11/3/2008 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
If you're in a clinical trial, don't they offer you some venue to report adverse side-effects, or at least ask questions?
Posted 11/3/2008 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
This web site has photos of the various skin cancers, and lots of good info:

http://www.skincancerguide.ca/


I have had basal cell carcinoma myself. That's the least dangerous kind. Squamous cell carcinoma is a little more dangerous, but still not so bad. Both these types can be removed with minimal surgery under local anesthesia. It's no worse than getting a filling in your teeth.

Melanoma, on the other hand, usually has a grim outcome - it's one of the more dangerous cancers.

You might have actinic keratosis - that is, pre-cancerous lesions. I've had those too, and they're easily removed with laser treatments. Usually, only one or two treatments are needed, and no anesthesia is required (not even local).

You really need to see a dermatologist to know for sure.

If you're going to a dermatologist anyway, it's a good time to get any warts removed if you have any.

regards,
Robert

Post Edited By Moderator (MMMNAVY) : 11/3/2008 8:07:49 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/3/2008 2:57 PM (GMT 0)

Osprey101 said...
If you're in a clinical trial, don't they offer you some venue to report adverse side-effects, or at least ask questions?

Yes, they do.  But, given I just STARTED the clinical 7 days ago, but have been on Remicade for 2 1/2 years and off and on prednisone at doses as high as 60mg for nearly a year combined, I'm more inclined to think it's NOT the clinical.  I'll certainly be following up with the researcher about my concern, but I don't want to jump to conclusions that it is some sort of skin cancer.  That said, it does bother me that they just sort of popped up.

Robert - Thanks for the run down.  I found that website last night and looked into a bit.  Was looking for photos, but couldn't find much that really matched up.  I see my family physician this week for my daughter, and I'm just going to have her to a quick look and see if I can get a referral to a derm to rule it out.  I never realized that those with lowered immune systems are more suspectible to skin cancer.....scary stuff...

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