Rodent Ulcer

[Digdog1]

Hi has anyone else had problems with these. I saw a doctor today who says they are a type of skin cancer and as soon as I said I was taking Methotrexate she said it could be connected as it supresses your immune system so much. Im going in the next 4 days to have a biopsy and 2 weeks later for removal. Im really worried as it is just below my lower eyelid ad I really don't want to take methotrexate anymore. Im so confused. Im new her so I hope someone can help.

[Gigi71]

Hi DIgdog. Welcome first of all. I've had 3 and they blamed Azathoprine for mine, since changing to mtx just over two years ago I haven't had any. I am carefully monitored by Dermatology as they thought I should stop my Humira as well. I chose to stay on it as it works for me. I do get keratosis though and they sometimes burn those off. I have been on steroids long term and that has thinned my skin. It's a balance really, have you discussed this with your rheumy team as the best way forward for you. X

[Beachgirl]

I can understand your worry, but you can worry yourself in to hell, all our meds have terrible side effects, talk to your doctor about your fears, I’ve been through cancer 2x now not pleasant, 2 lots of chemo, I don’t want sympathy, but even if it is cancer so much can be done now and it’s not been confirmed as yet still here you must think positive,I know it’s easier said than done, they may well change your meds, but there again they may not. Talk about your fears to someone, but no one will know till that biopsy is back, hope you can find someone to talk to there’s plenty of help out there, hope out all goes well for you xx

[Bon1]

Dear Digdog

I don’t know anything but worth pointing out that my dad has this and he’s never taken a pill in his life. Plenty of people get cancer with or without Mtx and if there was a clear link surely it would have been established a long time ago - it’s a very old drug.

As I say I have no medical knowledge but I think it might be a bit of a knee jerk reaction to stop a med that is helping for something that may be unrelated?

I hope you come to a decision that is satisfactory all round. All the best

Bon

[TheBoys]

Hi

I ve just had one removed on Monday.

..and the lesion has been there in some way shape or form for nearly two years.

Thus predates my RA and any treatment meds... i think these BCCs are there anyway and linked to skin damage from the sun. I certainly love the heat as it makes my bones better

BCCs are one of the most prevalent cancers and skin cancers are increasingly common. I think this more due to increased UV exposure in people.

When mine became active about a month ago it did ooincide with being prescribed prednisone... i just laid off that and took naproxen as needed all the help my immune could muster. I sensed that rheumatologist dont get the link between immune suppressants and wider ailments.

I ve had pleurisy, sepsis and pneumonia twice and will be concerned about impact to my respiratory and coronary health if prescribed immuno suppressants

Hopefully theyll get rid of yours soon as they can be uncomfortable. Mine is on my face..so now I have a big 1.5cm wound.

[helixhelix]

You've had some great views....and the doctor you saw doesn't know much about methotrexate. It only has a very small compromising effect on the immune system at the low doses we take, so it isn't absolute that this will be the cause. People who have organ transplants have to take massive amounts of immune suppressing drugs, and they do have a significantly increased risk. But MTX is far less likely. (On the other hand, it is a risk for those of us on biologics so we need to keep an eye open for early signs.). And what is your history of sunbathing? As that's a big causal factor.

It is a hugely common problem, and increasingly so with more sun exposure, so try not to worry. And from now on make sure you protect your skin. My OH has had skin cancers and has been advised to stick to factor 50 suncream and hats.

[Downtime]

Agree with Gigi and Beachgirl , you might well have had the skin cancer anyway . I’ve had quite a few before and since taking Mxt . I now take a biologic too so that increases the risk. I love the sun but I take great care when I’m in it . I have a few patches of keratosis which they burn off sometimes and I will probably have further NMSC s in the future.

I’m taking nicotinamide ( vit B 3 ) on the advice of my dermatologist as there was an Aussie trial which concluded that it cut the SC cases by 40%. Every little helps! In the end the benefits from the RA drugs outweighs the skin risks. For me.

[Bully915]

Hi hope all goes well iv had one removed from next to eye now got two on head and one on back but not seen gp yet

[Bookworm55]

Some of the medications cause increased sun sensitivity - I had a bcc (localised cancer) removed a year ago. Mind you I’d had it over 6 years - pre dating the RA meds by at least 3 years. My dad also had a couple of rodent ulcers - on no meds at all.

[ROBERT_CARMICHAEL]

I have had a couple of these, and do take methotrexate but I doubt if there is a significant relationship. A rodent ulcer or BCC is a very slowly growing, non metastasising tumour that in the middle ages was much feared as it used to eventually eat away large volumes of flesh, and as they are common on the face, could be very disfiguring. However nowadays they are a minor inconvenience requiring surgical removal under local anaesthetic and a couple of stitches. So do not worry, but get it removed sometime soon.

[Braecoon]

I had what looked like a classic rodent ulcer just below my eyebrow. I was referred to ophthalmology but didn't get an appointment until 3 months later (for suspected cancer this was way out of waiting time target - even eye doc was annoyed about this). My sulphasalazine and chloroquine was stopped a month before the appointment due to other side effects and lo and behold the lesion had slowly disappeared by the time I saw the eye doc. Thankfully I had taken pictures of the lesion as I felt such a fraud but eye doc said I had done the right thing (always get it checked out). She looked up sulphasalazine and skin rashes and lesions was a side effect.

So sorry this has been diagnosed for you and wishing you a speedy and succeful recovery.

[BUDGIEBURDEKIN]

Hi, personaly I have not had that but 2 of my cats caught this and I know it can cause a lot of pain and disfigurement, I believe it can be cured in Humans.Philip