Sun Sensitivity?

Hi Jan,

Yes, most definitely - my Rick used to get burned on his nose and cheeks if he didn't wear sunscreen.  Here's a clip on Folfox and sun exposure and also the website for other side effects:

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation/cancertreatment/treatmenttypes/chemotherapy/combinationregimen/oxaliplatin5fu.aspx

Skin changes

Chemotherapy may affect your skin. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what to expect. If your skin feels dry, try using an unperfumed moisturising cream every day. During treatment and for several months afterwards, you'll be more sensitive to the sun and your skin may burn more easily than usual. You can still go out in the sun, but use a suncream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and cover up with clothing and a hat.

           I was warned when I was on 5fu that I was not to get too much sun exposure or I would pay dearly. Unfortunately I have been on similar agents for years. Methotrexate and cyclosporine carry the same risks of sun sensitivity  and the same risks of developing skin cancers. Anytime I am in the sun I wear sun block. The other thing that I have done is have six monthly skincancer checks. I have had a few removed . They do not freeze them off knowing my history , they cut them out. I had one on my face just under my eye. The doc thought it was just a standard basal cell carcinoma but he cut it out and when it was biopsied it turned out to be a micro nodular basal cell one of the few bccs that cand kill you. Apparently they dive deep into the nerves and are hard to stop once they take off. In the past six to eight weeks I have had a black spot develop on my cheek I am booked into the skincancer clinic next week. Skincancer is cancer and it can kill and it's major cause is skin damage from sun exosure. The is a slogan in Australia put out by the skin cancer council. Slip ,Slop ,Slap. Slip on a t shirt slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat all  good advice. Ron.

My doctor told me to 100% stay out of the sun after radiation for at least 5 years and to especially cover my entire backside and lower back with sunscreen and clothes because not only will you burn faster, you risk skin cancer.  ( I don't remember if she mentioned Xeloda or Oxilaplatin but I distinctly remember radiation).

Latest spot removed a couple of weeks back . My doc is pretty with it. He said it has come up and acts like a fast growing melanoma but I think it is a heavily pigmented nodular basal cell. He was right and he excised it with clear margins. Had abit of a scare with my liver functions rising rapidly on two blood tests a month apart. Had a liver ultrasound and no sign of any nasties. He also checked pancreas and kidneys , all ok . Two weeks ago I had an ultrasound of my heart after my legs and lungs filled with fluid. I have severe nephrotic syndrome of the kidneys but cyclosporine is holding the protein loss in check. The heart ultrasound was looking for congestive heart failure , there were some issues but no heart failure and nothing to cause oedema . same with the liver. My kidney specialist has no Idea why I am filling with fluid. My inflammatory markers are thru the roof . My treatment is if I put on any weight , go to 1 litre a day fluid intake and double diuretics till it drains and I am on prednisone as an anti inflammatory . the further I get from cancer the more I seem to suffer from it. Ron.