Cisplatin secondary cancer risk

ac
ac Member Posts: 88 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi,

I read (after my oncologist appointment) that there is a rare risk of developing a secondary cancer years later with Cisplatin use.

My medical oncologist seemed rather adamant that I go the Cisplatin route. I have a second primary cancer (nasopharyngeal) after a first encounter with colorectal cancer in 2008 and I'm afraid of this potential side effect.

Was this ever a topic of discussion with anyone's oncologist?

Thanks very much.

ac

Comments

  • Goalie
    Goalie Member Posts: 184
    #2
    Where?
    Did you read this? I was just trying to look through the published research in Journal of Clinical Oncology or New England Journal of Medicine or some peer-reviewed journal. If it was in Reader's Digest or some place similar it doesn't count. But I'm sure my wife will weigh on on this as a published laboratory researcher (in chemistry not in cancer!). My brother is the one who does cancer research. Doug
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #3
    Risk
    From what I have read, there is a chance of secondary cancer from some chemo drugs, and an increase for patients that get radiation for developing a second cancer is 20 fold.

    But I am thinking that even having cancer once, makes you an increase to get it again, whether it be a metastisis or a new cancer.
  • ac
    ac Member Posts: 88 Member
    #4
    Goalie said:

    Where?
    Did you read this? I was just trying to look through the published research in Journal of Clinical Oncology or New England Journal of Medicine or some peer-reviewed journal. If it was in Reader's Digest or some place similar it doesn't count. But I'm sure my wife will weigh on on this as a published laboratory researcher (in chemistry not in cancer!). My brother is the one who does cancer research. Doug

    It does say that it is rare
    But here's where I saw it:

    http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/GuidetoCancerDrugs/cisplatin
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    Similar to Dawn
    Not sure of the odds or statistics....

    But the only reading that I have seen or been told from the MD's that there is always a chance of secondary cancer caused primarily from the radiation.....

    So would you rather take a chance on dying now or dying later....and what choice do you have when seeking a cure?

    But to answer your original question, I have never heard anything stating that you are at any higher risk of secondary cancer caused by Cisplatin than any other chemo drug.

    I have read that if you make it 5 years without recurrence you're at the highest percentage of not having a recurrence. From that point forward your odds increase 2% each year.

    But that's more related to having it before and getting older with an increasing lower immune system.

    Best,
    John
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #6
    Quick look
    A quick look at the research seems to show cisplatin is less risky than carboplatin in terms of secondary cancer (like leukemia). A study on women who were treated with platinum chemo for ovarian cancer seemed to show that for every 10,000 cases, about 20-70 women developed leukemia within 10 years of treatment. I believe that ovarian cancer patients get a higher cumulative dose of chemo, and the studies also showed that the risk goes up with cumulative dose, so the risk might be lower for H&NC folks.

    Those sound like acceptable odds. Factors to consider are: how much and what type of chemo did you get for your previous cancer, and how much radiation did your bone marrow get? If you had one of the platinum chemos and got substantial bone marrow irradiated, your risk is higher (I don't have numbers on that, but it looked like they were talking about 2x-6x higher). Even those odds are not that bad.

    What does your doctor say?
  • ac
    ac Member Posts: 88 Member
    #7
    All your replies make sense to me
    I think the stress is really taking a toll on my ability to think logically so I really appreciate all your very rational arguments which are very reassuring to me.

    I have not had another appointment with my oncologist yet. But I will ask her the next time. I have numbness and tingling in my hands/arms so they have set me up to see a neurologist to gauge the suitability of the chemo regime.

    Sometimes I feel alone even though I have family around as it is difficult for them to understand. Thank you for taking the time to research, think about this and reply. I am really grateful to everyone here.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    ac said:

    All your replies make sense to me
    I think the stress is really taking a toll on my ability to think logically so I really appreciate all your very rational arguments which are very reassuring to me.

    I have not had another appointment with my oncologist yet. But I will ask her the next time. I have numbness and tingling in my hands/arms so they have set me up to see a neurologist to gauge the suitability of the chemo regime.

    Sometimes I feel alone even though I have family around as it is difficult for them to understand. Thank you for taking the time to research, think about this and reply. I am really grateful to everyone here.

    Neuropathy
    Stay up on that tingling and such, those are signs of neuropathy which of course can be caused by the cisplatin I believe....and also can become permanent.

    Best,
    John
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #9
    Stress.

    I think the stress is really taking a toll on my ability to think logically so I really appreciate all your very rational arguments which are very reassuring to me.


    Yes, I completely understand. I am the same way when stressed or depressed. I cannot think properly or even do routine tasks. It's awful. It really does help to bounce things off of other people.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #10
    ac said:

    All your replies make sense to me
    I think the stress is really taking a toll on my ability to think logically so I really appreciate all your very rational arguments which are very reassuring to me.

    I have not had another appointment with my oncologist yet. But I will ask her the next time. I have numbness and tingling in my hands/arms so they have set me up to see a neurologist to gauge the suitability of the chemo regime.

    Sometimes I feel alone even though I have family around as it is difficult for them to understand. Thank you for taking the time to research, think about this and reply. I am really grateful to everyone here.

    chatroom
    There is a chatroom available here, ac, that does wonders for some people seeking connection with others who have some knowledge of what they are going through (both survivors and caregivers). The people there do not always talk about cancer, but that is the point: talking to other survivors about things OTHER than cancer is sometimes therapeutic in itself: the 'cloud' is not hanging over the conversation.

    You might check it out when you next feel a need to 'talk' to someone who understands.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #11
    FYI
    From the National Institutes of Health: you should know that cisplatin has been associated with the development of other types of cancers. Talk with your doctor about the potential risk of developing a new cancer.

    But I agree with the others: you do what you gotta do!

    Take care,

    Joe
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #12
    sweetblood22 said:

    Stress.

    I think the stress is really taking a toll on my ability to think logically so I really appreciate all your very rational arguments which are very reassuring to me.


    Yes, I completely understand. I am the same way when stressed or depressed. I cannot think properly or even do routine tasks. It's awful. It really does help to bounce things off of other people.

    Stress
    For instance, I'm sure that one whom is stuck in an area flooded and the water rising, with no electricity, charging her cell phone (which she uses for posting comments and keeping up with everyone on CSN at 2:00AM) on her car charger, has got to be stressful, LOL....

    and.....I see you have mastered a little more html with the font color , orange.

    :)~
    JG
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #13
    Skiffin16 said:

    Stress
    For instance, I'm sure that one whom is stuck in an area flooded and the water rising, with no electricity, charging her cell phone (which she uses for posting comments and keeping up with everyone on CSN at 2:00AM) on her car charger, has got to be stressful, LOL....

    and.....I see you have mastered a little more html with the font color , orange.

    :)~
    JG

    :)
    And she now has power! Look out world!

    Take care,

    Joe
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #14
    Skiffin16 said:

    Stress
    For instance, I'm sure that one whom is stuck in an area flooded and the water rising, with no electricity, charging her cell phone (which she uses for posting comments and keeping up with everyone on CSN at 2:00AM) on her car charger, has got to be stressful, LOL....

    and.....I see you have mastered a little more html with the font color , orange.

    :)~
    JG

    its a nightmare
    my parents just went through the road block ANYWAY, and went to the store. i asked them to please get me milk. they forgot. :-/

    i dont want to drive through the road blocks. :(

    i am still stressed. lol and i am going through milk withdrawal.


    i am scared to drive over the bridges, they are all compromised, and half the road is missing. not to mention the sherrif said we arent supposed to drive on it. i just want some damn milk.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #15
    sweetblood22 said:

    its a nightmare
    my parents just went through the road block ANYWAY, and went to the store. i asked them to please get me milk. they forgot. :-/

    i dont want to drive through the road blocks. :(

    i am still stressed. lol and i am going through milk withdrawal.


    i am scared to drive over the bridges, they are all compromised, and half the road is missing. not to mention the sherrif said we arent supposed to drive on it. i just want some damn milk.

    Fockers....
    Don't you have some badgers or cats around there you can milk....LOL.

    Sorry for your situation, I'm sure it's tough.

    Thoughts,
    John
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #16
    Skiffin16 said:

    Fockers....
    Don't you have some badgers or cats around there you can milk....LOL.

    Sorry for your situation, I'm sure it's tough.

    Thoughts,
    John

    don't think i would wanna try and milk a badger
    :P

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