25 replies to this topic

[steelpony5555]

I just had 2 Pre-cancerous spots removed too...

[cmljax]

I was dx in late September 2016 and started on Tasigna 300mg twice a day. I had three confirmed squamous cell skin cancers in the following 3 months plus an additional 20 some suspicious spots frozen by my dermatologist. I have never previously had skin cancer, only a few precancerous spots removed. She thinks this is being caused by the Tasigna and on December 14th she recommended I start Soriatane, but I declined after reviewing the side effects profile and decided to seek a second opinion. My oncologist does not know what s causing this and says there is no known link between Tasigna and any other form of cancer; my PCP thinks it is my compromised immune system from the CML and he suggested I defer on taking the Soriatane.

 

Since December 14th, I have a a significant decline in the number of suspicious spots, bumps etc, so I was beginning to think that the situation was improving. Yesterday I saw a dermatologist as Mayo. I showed her the only 3 suspicious spots, all on my left lower leg, that had developed since December 14. She suspects more cancer and biopsied all 3 sites.  She was ambivalent about Soriatane, but did offer an alternative with fewer side effects - Nicotinamide (also Niacinamide) 500mg twice a day,  which is a Vitamin B3 derivative.  I started that last night. An Australian study in 2015 showed statistically significant decline (23%) in non-melanoma skin cancers in group using Niacinamide versus placebo.

 

Dealing with the skin issues and CML is pretty tough, but I do not want to stop the Tasigna since I reached MMR in just 83 days!!  If these last 3 biopsies are positive I am going to contact Novartis (maker of Tasigna) directly).

[soundoff]

Please keep us updated CMLJAX

[cmljax]

The 3 latest biopsies were all superficially invasive squamous cell carcinomas and will be removed later this week. New skin activity is definitely slowing however and I believe it is because my immune system is improving. Working with Mayo onc and Mayo SCC specialist to see if we can develop an active management plan that will allow me to stay on Tasigna since it is working so well with minimal other side effects.

[mdszj]

I also had a squamous cancer in my nose last january, which was removed using MOHS.  Reminds me I should call them, they recommended I get a follow up visit but I never did.

[beno]

I know that since I began Sprycel, I sunburn at the drop of a hat.  I have a medium skin tone.  In the past, I could burn with excessive sun, but not easily.  Now, I can get a significant sunburn in about 20 minutes outside without sunscreen.  (I guess it's good that I don't live in NM/TX any longer)  It makes sense to me that my skin cancer risk increased when my sensitivity to the Sun did.