INDURATION

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jane65
jane65 Member Posts: 277
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
HI Ladies,
Has anyone ever had 'Indiration" a hardening of the skin with the possibility of ulcers or splitting skin?

My OVCA has spread to the lymph nodes in my right pelvic area, and I'm having Gemzar treatments. I also have lymphedema in the right leg.

My pelvic bone area is swollen, reddish, has some hard areas on the skin and some lines that look like blood vessels, but it's not that.

My oncologist said it's Induration and we must check it weekly for ulcers or splitting skin.
I'm using Eucerin cream, or Vaseline to keep the skin moist. This week it's gotten worse and I'll discuss it with him tomorrow when I have my next treatment.

If any of you have had this problem anywhere on your body, and have been treated or used anything to deal with it, please let me know.

Thank you,
Jane

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  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #2
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    Doxil
    I'm not really sure about your condition but I can tell you about my skin problems from Doxil. Doxil caused the skin on my feet to become very leathery like. They cracked and peeled. I was told to use Aquaphor. It is made by Eucerin. It us very similar to vaseline. It has helped my skin greatly and I use it twice daily or more if needed.

    Good luck!
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #3
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    nancy591 said:

    Doxil
    I'm not really sure about your condition but I can tell you about my skin problems from Doxil. Doxil caused the skin on my feet to become very leathery like. They cracked and peeled. I was told to use Aquaphor. It is made by Eucerin. It us very similar to vaseline. It has helped my skin greatly and I use it twice daily or more if needed.

    Good luck!

    Jane, I know of it because I have mild lymphodema.
    I have mild lymphodema in my ankles and also get fluid over my pelvic area that my oncologists believe is related to my lymphodema as it goes down over night just the same as my ankles do. Apparently when your lymph system is compromised by the surgery and/or radiation (in my case) the fluid retained is a combination of water and protein. That is a bad combination as far as infection. The pressure of the swelling on the skin and the protein-rich environment make it easy to get infections under the skin that cause this hardening (that I THINK, but am not sure, is a type of scar tissue from teh infection.) You need to take extra good care of your skin in areas where you get swelling keeping it moisturized and super-clean to try and protect yourself from skin cracks.

    Maybe I am way off. Do you have lymphodema or any swelling in that area?
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #4
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    nancy591 said:

    Doxil
    I'm not really sure about your condition but I can tell you about my skin problems from Doxil. Doxil caused the skin on my feet to become very leathery like. They cracked and peeled. I was told to use Aquaphor. It is made by Eucerin. It us very similar to vaseline. It has helped my skin greatly and I use it twice daily or more if needed.

    Good luck!

    thanks
    Thanks for the suggestion Nancy, my oncologist referred me to a dermatologist to have biopsies and scrapings done. The condition has gotten worse and he's concerned it may be an infection, or a tumor.

    We also did my monthly CA125 today and next Monday I'll have the results of everything.

    Take care,
    Jane
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #5
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    lindaprocopio said:

    Jane, I know of it because I have mild lymphodema.
    I have mild lymphodema in my ankles and also get fluid over my pelvic area that my oncologists believe is related to my lymphodema as it goes down over night just the same as my ankles do. Apparently when your lymph system is compromised by the surgery and/or radiation (in my case) the fluid retained is a combination of water and protein. That is a bad combination as far as infection. The pressure of the swelling on the skin and the protein-rich environment make it easy to get infections under the skin that cause this hardening (that I THINK, but am not sure, is a type of scar tissue from teh infection.) You need to take extra good care of your skin in areas where you get swelling keeping it moisturized and super-clean to try and protect yourself from skin cracks.

    Maybe I am way off. Do you have lymphodema or any swelling in that area?

    Linda
    Hi Linda,
    You're right on target, I do have lymphedema because the cancer is in the lymph nodes and does not allow the channels to drain.

    The chemo I'm on, Gemzar has reduced the size of my right leg so we're hoping this is the right chemo drug.
    I had my CA done today and hopefully it has gone down.

    I appreciate your explanation and suggestions. I do use Eucerin lotion twice a day on the entire leg, and thankfully I haven't had any ulcers.

    Take care,
    Jane

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