Prednisolone and cancer

[paintpots]

Hi Everyone.

I have had PMR for 18 months now and I am currently on 5mg of Prednisolone.

In August I had facial surgery to remove a Squamous Cell Carcinoma and will have regular check ups by the Surgical team and the Dermatology Department, a double check! every three months for some time in the future. I have just found out that the tumour is one that can spread to other parts of the body.

I have spent most of my working life in the out doors and have had 2 melanomas as a result, so I am not panicking, I am proof that you can have a melanoma and survive, 10 years so far, but I would like to get some information before I see the team at Dermatology.

Like most of you I was put on the extremely vulnerable list by my doctor because the prednisolone interferes with my immune system. My worry is that the prednisolone might allow the cancer cells to metastasize more easily?

I wonder if anyone out there has any thoughts on this?

paintpots

[SheffieldJane]

I really don’t know paintpots. Perhaps a Melenoma website will be more helpful.I wish you well from the bottom of my heart.

[MrsNails]

Hi PaintpotsPMRpro will be around in the morning so maybe able to throw some light on any research.

I have had Cancer while on Prednisolone & nothing was mentioned or suggested it may have an impact other than the possibility of slower healing after Surgery but l healed very quickly & without issue.

Also, they give you Dexamethasone (another steroid) when you start Chemotherapy incase of an allergic reaction to the Chemo Drugs…..

Wishing you all the best 🍀

MrsN

[Bcol]

Morning Paintpots, sorry I can't help with that but wishing you all the best.

[paintpots in reply to Bcol]

Thanks everyone for your best wishes. It was a bit of a long shot to see if anyone had any ideas. I see my doctor on Wednesday so can ask her if the prednisolone can affect cancer spread.

[2013mayo]

Hi, Gosh I do hope not, I can’t imagine pred causes cancer to spread, but I understand your concern in regard to lowering your immune system. I think you need to ask your specialist this question.

Maybe people on this site who’ve had cancer while on pred could help you.

Try not to worry, take extra care of yourself.

Sending you a big hug.

😍

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I know I have written about it before - yonks ago - and this article covers it

webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma/n...

but more recent work suggested that the increased risk of developing a skin cancer is not as high as had previously been thought, Corticosteroids are used in cancer management - so I imagine it isn't as critical as we might fear. But I don't know,

[paintpots in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that, it is very interesting. I do use a lot of sunscreen now, post melanoma's. I'm not sure pred had any influence on the S.C.C, it started to develop about the same time as I hade PMR, so I think unlikely to have been a trigger. All good background info and worth bringing up with my gp to get her thoughts. I am probably over reacting and the Preds will not affect cancer spread.Thank you all