12 replies to this topic

[CML2012]

I was diagnosed with CML in December 2012 and had a mole biopsied in January that came back benign. Had the mole removed two weeks ago and it was early stage 3 melanoma. Does anyone think there are any connections? My dermatologist specialist was completely stunned. Also I had basal skin cancer removed using Moes method in January 2013. They said there was less than a 1% chance of it returning and it was back in September 2014. Once again my dermatologist was completely stunned.

[Marnie]

I doubt that there is any connection.  Just because we have cml does not mean that we are not susceptible to every other cancer out there. 

[gerry]

You are more prone to sun damage on a TKI, so you need to make sure you cover up or slap on the sunscreen.

I went to see a dermatologist about the other skin issue I had - type of rash. Copped a lecture from him on sunscreen as he was aware of Gleevec and its side effects. Mind you he didn't do anything for the rash. lol

[hannibellemo]

I'm so sorry to read that! One of my colleagues had a basal cell carcinoma removed from under her eye and I was shocked at the extent of the incision. It went under her eye and around and trailed back over the temple to the hairline. Evidently it can send out little tendrils and they wanted to make sure they got it all.

 

There are some promising new immune-stimulating drugs that are being trialed and two have recently been approved, Keytruda and Opdivo. Do you know if your particular melanoma is BRAF positive (more usual) or negative?

 

If you haven't seen it, there is a very good article in the winter 2015 issue of CURE magazine, you can read it here.

 

 http://www.curetoday...arting-Melanoma

 

You can also find other articles on each drug at the same website.

 

Good luck!

[Gail's]

I asked both my primary doc and onc if people are more prone to other cancers once they have it. The answer I got was no one really knows. I had skin cancer first, MOHs then cml a year later, although wondering now how long I had cml before diagnosis.

[Trey]

The CML does not relate to the melanoma.  The TKI drugs have an impact on skin cells as we often see in rashes and such.  Whether TKI drugs increase susceptibility to skin cancer directly is doubtful, but Gerry mentioned the increased sun damage while on TKI drugs and that can be related.  Also, if you had a partial biopsy of the mole it could have been a false negative, as this method is not accurate enough.

http://www.medscape....article/720543 

[Billie Murawski]

I had melanoma in 2005 it was not a mole I had a freckle on my chest that I had for years and it turned a whiteish color it actually looked like the freckle was going away, next time I saw my pcp for another reason I showed it to her and she immediately sent me to a surgeon who biopsied it and it was cancerous he had a plastic surgeon with him while he operated they took a large chunk out of my chest and also removed two lymph nodes. Since then I have had several skin cancers removed including one on my face right next to my mouth I also had a plastic surgeon for that surgery. I had basilcell and squamus carcinomas. For a while I had to be checked every 6 months now it is every year, but I have to check myself every month and if anything new shows up I call the doc immediately. I never had a mole it was more like a pimple that didn't go away. Some of them my doc was able to freeze them but most of the time they had to be removed. I was dx with cml two years later. I don't think melanoma had anything to do with my cml I think it was my stupidity for laying out in the sun for years I'm fair complected and I burned very easily, bad burns but I didn't care I wanted a tan like my friends had stupid stupid stupid!! I was on Gleevac 3 years and now sprycel 4 years and anytime I am in the sun I get these ugly looking sores 

I do believe that once you have had a melanoma or a skin cancer you are more susceptible to more. I was also told that the melanoma I had could return so I keep an eye on it too. I still get the skin cancers but my onc doesn't feel they are connected to my cml. Please just keep checking yourself and if you have anything slightly odd call your doc it's better to be safe than sorry.

                                 Good Luck   Billie

[AllTheseYears]

I was diagnosed with CML in December 2012 and had a mole biopsied in January that came back benign. Had the mole removed two weeks ago and it was early stage 3 melanoma. Does anyone think there are any connections? My dermatologist specialist was completely stunned. Also I had basal skin cancer removed using Moes method in January 2013. They said there was less than a 1% chance of it returning and it was back in September 2014. Once again my dermatologist was completely stunned.

I have a long list of skin cancers (including melanoma), starting decades ago, well before my CML diagnosis. Skin cancer diagnoses continue.  I've had many "pre-cancerous" lesions removed.  Regular dermatologist checks are a must.  I think the skin cancers are linked to my shabby immune system (which has dogged me with other problems most of my life)...which in turn might have contributed to my being a candidate for CML.  I think there is a definite connection. Also, I live in Charlotte, N.C...and avoid the sun!

[CML2012]

AllTheseYears,
I am not sure how this site works sometimes but I sent you a message. I am not sure if you got it. But very interested in some info about Charlotte doctors. Thanks

[AllTheseYears]

AllTheseYears,
I am not sure how this site works sometimes but I sent you a message. I am not sure if you got it. But very interested in some info about Charlotte doctors. Thanks

CML2012:  Sorry, I did not get a message from you.  I returned to Charlotte only 1.5 years ago and do not have a doctor here.  My oncologist is at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.  I've been seeing him for about 12 years.  FYI:  I have recently learned of two other CML survivors here in Charlotte....you're the third!  

[rcase13]

I am here in Charlotte. I goto Levine's Cancer Institute and see Dr Gerber. He was on our local NPR radio station not too long ago.

http://wfae.org/post...ancer-treatment

[CML2012]

Which Levine Cancer office do you go to? Will Levine's change over to hospital base pay affect what it cost you to be seen and have your PCR for bcr/abl? (I understand if you don't want to answer about the cost)

[rcase13]

I have no clue what that means. The costs are certainly a huge problem for us. Each PCR is about $5000. I pay 20% of that. We can just barely do that. There are some insurance adjustments but we pay very close to $1000 every three months. I have had other issues with my vision and thyroid (Tasigna decided my thyroid wasn't needed) that has also cost a lot due to a gazillion tests.

I go to Levine's downtown off Morehead street.