EFFECTS OF TREATMENT

[nashy2]

Just a quick question - have any of those undergoing treatment with Avastin experienced bite like skin eruptions that don't seem to heal (dry but similar in look to an ulcer), problems with hearing and excess mucus? Our oncologist is on holiday and the present stand in is less than sympatico and/or helpful. Wishing you all a comfortable weekend.

[bwpickard Caregiver]

My husband was on Avastin but didn’t experience what you are describing though there are many side effects listed. Hope this is temporary for you and you get good results!!!!

[nashy2 Caregiver]

Thank you for your quick response and glad to hear your husband didn't experience any serious side effects.

[AndreaWilson_Founder Partner Editor Caregiver in reply to nashy2]

Hello Nashy2 -- here is a list of common side effects and severity directly from the manufacturer's website: avastin.com/patient/patient...

Skin problems are typical with Avastin, but I don't know that hearing loss is. When you say excess mucus, do you mean feeling stuffed up like a cold? Or coughing up mucus?

~Andrea

[nashy2 Caregiver in reply to AndreaWilson_Founder]

Hi Andrea, Thank you for your response. I mean my husband has been coughing up mucus, with a very bad cough and the skin "spots" have a similar appearance to ringworm but are not that. They just seem to take an inordinate amount of time to heal and go from looking and feeling sore to white and scabby. We hope to make an appointment with a dermatologist soon but they seem scarce on the ground, and therefore were interested in finding anyone who'd had a similar experience.

[AndreaWilson_Founder Partner Editor Caregiver in reply to nashy2]

Mucositis is common with many times of cancer treatment. "Mucositis is when your mouth or gut is sore and inflamed. It's a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer." Unfortunately, there's not much that can be done about except to manage the symptoms. The skin spots, too, could be a side effect of treatment.