skin cancer risk

[waterloveryippee]

I have just started taking hydro; I’ve read that this drug increases the risk of skin cancer. Is this through the drug or because of reduced immunity?

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hi waterloveryippee, we have a vlogcast that will help you understand this more, it is with Dr Nauman Butt talking about the side effects of medications and skin complications and skin cancers, he talks about this increased risk factors for skin cancers (non-melanomas) for MPN patients from sun exposure and some treatments, mainly Hydroxycarbamide and Ruxolitinib (dependent on dose and length of treatment). You can view the vlogcast here youtube.com/watch?v=3YgVCnX...(Not working as expected?)

Best wishes, Maz

[waterloveryippee in reply to Mazcd]

Thank you very much, I have had a basal cell carcinoma removed recently so I think I need to discuss this with my consultant although she did know about this removal when she prescribed hydro.

[Chel1 in reply to waterloveryippee]

Yes I’ve also just had a removal too just waiting for biopsy results am also on hydro have on it for over 3 years and this is my first removal my hemo doc said with all these meds you get side effects he’s waiting to see results then decide what to do

[Anouchka in reply to Mazcd]

Thank you for this, Mazcd . This is very helpful and informative.

[ainslie]

it’s the drug, it’s all in the vid Maz posted

[Dooright]

I am waiting for an appointment to have a basal cell carcinoma removed from my nose by my eye. When I saw the dermatologist the first thing he said was that it was probably from the Azathioprine (I have pulmonary sarcoidosis too) which is an immune suppressant. I had just started hydroxycarbomide at the time, but I had been on Anagrelide for 5 years before that (I'm now on PEG Interefon). The galling thing is that I have used face moisturiser with SPF30 in it for years and haven't been abroad in the sun for 20 years so it's just from normal day to day exposure. I'm a bit worried about the operation as they mentioned I may have to have a skin graft (from my neck) as the BCC is so close to the corner of my eye on my nose. So not looking forward to that 😕

[artydutch in reply to Dooright]

I am also a sarcoidosis patient and also have myelofibrosis and currently also on Azathioprine. Soon I will start Ruxolinitib. You are the first person who has also has sarcoid in addition to MPN. My sarcoidosis is systemic and in multi organs. I am off today to Papworth in Cambridge for a sarcoid follow up. I would love to connect further. My husband had a basal cell on his nose which was removed and he needed a skin graft. It has healed beautifully with minimal scarring and done by a plastic surgeon. Good luck.

[Dooright in reply to artydutch]

You are the first person I have spoken to too that has sarcoid. I was diagnosed back in 2006 and it is just my lungs. I was initially at the Royal Brompton but have been at the Royal Free for the last few years. I have been lucky in that although it became active once again in 2016 it seems to be pretty quiet at the moment. I have my first face to face in over a year at the Royal Free on 23rd Feb. Everything seems to have been focused on my ET etc in recent times so it will be strange thinking about the sarcoid.

Thanks for the reassurance re the op.

Hope you keep as well as you can

[artydutch in reply to Dooright]

Thanks for replying. I believe everyone misses Dr Kidd at the royal Free. Glad you have had long patches of inactive disease. I had a good consult at Papworth and staying on the current Aza dose whilst I start Rux. Good luck with your skin surgery! Let me know how you fare?.

[Pachena in reply to Dooright]

Sorry to hear that tho for some encouragement, my husbands friend had that done and now a couple of years later, you can’t even notice that it was done 🤩

Best wishes to you

[Dooright in reply to Pachena]

Thank you that is reassuring 😊

[Jenny_F]

i dont think I could risk it myself as my dad died from a malignant melanoma and my dna profile states I have a marker for increased skin cancer risk. It depends ons someones personal circumstances and also follow the guidance around sun exposure.

[Andrew8]

Started on Hydroxy 2017 for ET, developed AF early 2018, changed to MF and Ruxo early 2018, skin cancer on ear late 2018, had part of ear removed. Suspected skin cancer on leg early 2022, had lump removed , analysed not cancerous, then developed Sepsis, fortunately diagnosed before any Sepsis Shock which may be because of compromised immune system, so every med seems to have benefits and risks, but still here to tell the tale, and survived two episodes of Covid. Had a friend die from Long Covid recently, so just glad to be a survivor.

[Exeter21]

I actually felt that the skin loses its protection in sun on Hydroxy. I would burn even in factor 50 with hat. Once I changed to Interferon this no longer happened but I still use F50 & hat . I am outdoors frequently in hot countries .

[AndyKay]

I was told by my doctor when he started me on Hydro to stay out of the sun. He said I could not be in the sun for more than 15 minutes and to wear sunscreen every day. I take 1000 mg of Hydro every day and started the prescription in January of 2022. I have purchased clothes that are supposed to protect the screen, not too sure if they actually protect my skin. If I'm outside for more than a few minutes I wear sunscreen, hat and clothes that will protect my skin. I live in New Mexico where we have a lot of sunny days.