Hydroxyurea & Skin Cancers?

[katiewalsh]

Hi

I’ve had two squamous cell skin cancers in the past 6 months. I know Hydroxyurea is supposed to increase our risk of skin cancers. Does anyone know if having 2 in 6 months means I need to switch meds? I’ll ask my MPN doctor soon but just wanted to find out what you folks may have been told. Thanks. Katie

[hunter5582]

I would certainly switch off HU fs I had two skin cancers in 6 months. There are other options that do not carry this risk.

[katiewalsh in reply to hunter5582]

thanks, Hunter

[EPguy]

I see your prior post about increasingly severe dry eyes. Is that still troubling you? Are you any meds or medical history that could cause it?

[katiewalsh]

not sure the cause but I had it treated with lipiflow (sp?) which helped a lot. I also use prescription eye drops daily.

[ainslie]

its not unheard of on Hydroxy, maybe time to try Peg or Bes or Rux

[katiewalsh in reply to ainslie]

Thanks for replying. I’m worried about the potential problems so many experience on those other drugs but I don’t think I have a choice given the skin cancers so close in time. Katie

[Strumin210]

I have been taking 1000mg. Of hydroxurea for awhile then two weeks ago I quit taking it due to various reasons one of them being skin cancer ( higher risk) taking this medicine. My visual migraines came back so I started back on it yesterday. Don't know whether that answer helps. I have been starting and stopping this a couple of months now and it's got my wife kind of upset over they way I start it back then when it makes me feel horrible I quit it again. Maybe you or someone on the forum can help me also. It's not made much difference in my platelets but they did come down from a million to 786,000. Any help would be appreciated. Hope all goes well with you and you stop getting these. Sending prayers and hope from LA ( LOWER Alabama )

[katiewalsh in reply to Strumin210]

thanks for writing. I’ve been on HU for 10 years & only had skin cancers these last 6 months. Your experience with migraines is scary as I’ve had one for 2 days & im still on HU. Thanks also for your prayers & hope. Katie

[lakeview65]

I have ET, on Hydroxyurea for the past 3 years. I had many A&K ‘s before my diagnosis but I am wondering if Hydroxyurea is just turning them all into Basel Cell now. I had Moh’s 2 months ago on the side of my nose, they could not get it all so Dr. froze the edges and I am now on a 6 week treatment of Imiquimod covering the whole nose and a bit into the cheeks. This is not fun at all, feel like I should be in hiding.

But, 3 months ago I got bit by a bug on my forehead and it never went away, it turned into Basel Cell right away, now doing SRT for this spot.

MPN Dr is in Tampa, I stayed away due to hurricanes. I need a long discussion with him.

Hydroxy is wonderful for me, virtually no side effects until now….

Posted on here was a very informative you tube talk about this very scenario. I will try and find it again.

Best of luck, I am in hiding and driving for SRT 3 times a week, 7 weeks.

[katiewalsh in reply to lakeview65]

hi thanks for your reply. Your note really motivates me to find a replacement for HU. What you’re going through sounds very difficult. Like you. HU has been ideal for me with no problems for 10 years until now. Was the you tube thing a discussion by patients or medical people? My doctor is also in Tampa. at Moffitt, and I’ve written to him and am waiting for a reply. So many folks have problems with the other drugs that I dread switching. Good luck with your skin cancer problems. Katie

[lakeview65]

I am not home but if you google MPN skin cancer you tube you will see a link to a talk from a Dr in the UK, i believe it was just from a month ago.

[katiewalsh in reply to lakeview65]

thanks, will do.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to katiewalsh]

Hi Katie, this is the video about skin cancers healthunlocked.com/mpnvoice...

[katiewalsh in reply to Mazcd]

Thanks very much for sending MAZ. Katie

[givingITMybest]

I blossomed in skin cancers while on Hydroxiaurea. That and developing extremes fatigue caused me to switch. I tried an experimental med, but ultimately am now on Besremi. The skin cancers are slowing down, it's been 2-3 years since I've taken HU, but for awhile I had things zapped or removed every 6 months.

[katiewalsh in reply to givingITMybest]

Thanks for writing. Are you saying you continued to have skin cancers for a few years after stopping HU? Katie

[PVPVPV]

Hi there

I was on hydroxy for about ten years and then had a skin cancer on myy forehead, duly removed. I was aware of the link with hydroxy and therefore assumed it was the cause. But my dermatologist said there was just as much chance that the cancer could have been due to exposure to sun as a child. I am fair-skinned and did get a lot of exposure to sun back in the 50s and 60s. I didn't like the look of the side-effects of the alternatives to hydroxy so I stuck with hydroxy. I had various skin problems - Bowen's disease, actinic keratosis - but no more cancer.

Regards

[katiewalsh in reply to PVPVPV]

Thanks so much for letting me know. Katie