Radiotherapy and pmr

[potmad]

Hello. I have been diagnosed with cancer and I was programmed to receive radiotherapy. It has been mentioned that because i have been on long-term steroids (20 months) this could affect my skin because steroids thin the skin. Is there anybody reading this please who is a sufferer of pmr and long term steroids who has also undergone radiotherapy for cancer? Thank you in anticipation.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that - and I can imagine the cotton-wool brain you have as a result. Virtual hugs winging their way to you.

I can't help even though I and my OH did some research on radiation burn in breast cancer but I'm sure there are a couple of people on the forum with some experience.

[Rache]

Sorry to hear you have to cope with this on top of pmr. I had radiotherapy for breast cancer a few years before pmr so my experience is different. But I have very fair skin, easily sunburnt and thought It would be the type to be easily damaged. This wasn’t the case at all. I looked after my skin between sessions, following radiotherapy nurses’ advice, moisturising etc and apart from some deeper pink colour after a few sessions, my skin stayed intact. It looked back to normal afterwards. Sorry I don’t know any more about your particular question but I’m sure you’ll be able to discuss this and get expert advice before your sessions start. Sending you all good wishes - radiotherapy was worth it - it worked for me x

[Hidden]

Hello Potmad

Firstly let me say how sorry l am to hear of your diagnosis. I was on Prednisolone & Methotrexate when diagnosed with Breast Cancer & unfortunately was unable to find any one in a similar situation; my Consultant however made a lot of enquires before embarking on a decision on my Surgery & Adjuvant Therapy, this did not include Radiotherapy but a Mastectomy & Chemotherapy.

I will check out a few sources & see if l can find anything out for you but your best option will be the Radiotherapy Team.

Kind Regards

MrsN 🌷🌷🌷

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I’ve had a look around on all the well known Sites but it’s not been possible to find a answer to your question because Steroids are also used in Cancer Treatment that’s the only info l can bring up.

I think your best bet will be the Radiotherapy Team & taking advice on looking after your skin as much as possible between & after the treatments.

Best Wishes

MrsN 🌷

[potmad in reply to Hidden]

...thank you for your comments, it is appreciated.

[SnazzyD]

So sorry to hear you got this trial as well.

My radiotherapy dept gave me a care leaflet after I got my tattoos done for it. I preferred using aloe vera gel though.

[Rache]

In case you don’t already know, ‘tattoos’ are just tiny little pin dots, hard to see, nothing scarey!

[Charlie1boy]

Yes, I'd been taking pred for two and a half years when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago.

By that time, I was already experiencing the deep purple coloured bruising as a result of pred thinning the skin - this was mostly on my arms.

For the cancer I had an intensive course of radiotherapy, but as far as I can remember this made no difference at all to my skin.

All I would advise is to take extra care with the sun. I use a factor 50.

Good luck

Paddy

[potmad in reply to Charlie1boy]

thank you Paddy.

Good luck yourself.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Charlie1boy]

r/t effects on skin in prostate cancer aren't very visible - it is near the area where the beam is focussed so tends to be in the lower rectum and can cause bleeding which can be considerable and require treatment. It is usually delayed by up to about a year but may be longer I think. Burning in breast or head cancers tends to be more superficial and causes reddening on the surface. Not sure about other cancers.

[Charlie1boy in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that PMRpro. Yes, I have to say there were other unpleasant side effects from the radiotherapy, but my skin was ok.

It's not a procedure I would wish to have to go through again!!

Paddy

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Charlie1boy]

No-one would - but I think OH thinks it was preferable to what we know some people experience with surgery!

[Charlie1boy in reply to PMRpro]

I could hardly disagree with that!

Paddy

[potmad in reply to Charlie1boy]

..thank you for your advice, it is appreciated. Hope all is good for you now.

[Charlie1boy in reply to potmad]

Yes. Ticking along ok now thanks.

Paddy

[crafty_grannie]

Hi Potomad

I had been on Pred for seven months, starting at 60mg for PMR & GCA, when I started radiotherapy for Breast cancer. I didn’t have any added difficulty with my skin, but I started using a good moisturiser early, as soon as I knew I needed radiotherapy, and a very mild body wash instead of soap. My main problem was the increase in fatigue on top of that from Pred/PMR/GCA. And the radiotherapy did its job!!

All the best

[potmad in reply to crafty_grannie]

..thank you so much for your comments, it is appreciated. HOpe all is good with you now.