Skin Cancer Energized by Rectal Cancer?

airborne72
airborne72 Member Posts: 303 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Everyone:

I mentioned before that I am a prostate cancer survivor (2009) and now am dealing with stage 2 rectal cancer.  However, I did not mention that I have had skin cancer (basal and squamous) on my head and face since 2012.  Treatment for those lesions has included freezing, burning and excising.

In addition to the detection, diagnosis and treatment for the RC, in the past four months I have developed more lesions on my scalp and face in the usual spots.  However, I noticed a few days ago some suspicious looking spots on both sides of my neck (new location).  They present the shape, color and texture of skin cancer.  I intend to visit my dermatologist's office tomorrow to schedule an appointment for biopsy and treatment.

Here's my question - has anyone experienced or heard of the situation where an organ cancer* would activate a previously existing tissue cancer *or where chemo treatment for another cancer activated/accelerated a previously dormant skin cancer?  Who knows, this could be Nobel prize thinking?

(*Carcinomas are divided into two major subtypes: adenocarcinoma, which develops in an organ or gland, and squamous cell carcinoma, which originates in the squamous epithelium.)

Jim

Comments

  • NHMike
    NHMike Member Posts: 213 Member
    edited August 2017 #2
    I've had a few things on my

    I've had a few things on my face and neck lately but I don't think that they are cancer. They might just be bites but the little bumps have persisted for a while. I generally try to cover up reasonably well when outside and especially when it's sunny. I didn't know about your previous bouts.

  • NHMike
    NHMike Member Posts: 213 Member
    #3
    Just wondering how you're

    Just wondering how you're doing Jim as I haven't seen you post for a while.

  • airborne72
    airborne72 Member Posts: 303 Member
    #4
    Update

    Mike:

    Thanks for asking.  It's comforting to know that someone is monitoring.

    I completed by 25th session on Monday of this week.  I thought that I was going to slide through this regimen without any issues, but that did not happen.  Last Friday I experienced unprecedented fatigue.  On Saturday I endured intestinal cramps from early morning through the night.  Several episodes of diarhhea and more fatigue (almost like an out-of-body experience).  Sunday was more fatigue.  Monday and Tuesday were the same. Since then I have begun to improve and strengthen.

    My experience with this does not compare to the painful and debilitating outcomes so many others endure.  For that I am grateful.

    Tomorrow I am scheduled for a CT scan.  My follow-up with the oncologist will be September 11.  That is when I will be officially handed-off to the surgeon and we will initiate discussion regarding surgery, etc.

    My absence from the forum has primarily been due to the fact that, just like Bret Farve and Michael Jordan, I have decided to attempt a come back - into the active workforce.  I was presented with a wonderful opportunity for a part time job.  I decided to try it because I thought it would fill my void of retirement and give me an immediate goal and distraction from rectal cancer, etc.  My leisure time has been reduced accordingly so I have not posted much on the forum.

    I know you are rapidly approaching your competion day as well and I wish you luck.  I intend to stay in touch.

    Jim

  • NHMike
    NHMike Member Posts: 213 Member
    #5
    Good to hear from you and

    Good to hear from you and glad you have a little distraction now.

    I thought that you'd be pretty close to be done as I just passed the halfway point. I actually couldn't see this point from before I started so the folks (like you) describing it have been very helpful. That said, I'll watch for fatigue coming down the road.

    I hope everything goes well with the scan and surgeon (if necessary).

     

  • Bunny822
    Bunny822 Member Posts: 23
    #6
    Hi...I am new here but wanted

    Hi...I am new here but wanted to comment re: your question. Ironically I had a mole biopsied on my forehead in Aug 2017. Results came back as basal cell carcinoma. I had the Moh's surgery in Sept 2017. On 09/11/17 diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer and just completed 3rd round of Folfox. I go back to dermatologist in Dec and will pose the question...chicken or the egg or coincidental? Will let you know what I find out.

     

     

     

     

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #7
    Skin cancer(basal and squamous)after CRC Tx?

    I stopped hitting the beach after being Dxed with COPD in 2000,as heat hindered breathing(stopped cigs July 2001after about 35 years) Never used anything to protect skin for about 40 years of getting dark brown in summer and had precancer spot removed in 2002. Since 2010 i can't remember how many cancer spots have been cut out from everywhere.....My belief and my skin docs seem to agree, is that chemo/rad somehow is responsible as i have kept out of sun,except when walking(-no beach going,etc)....Had two more spots removed last month and next sunday return for more scar-producing spot removal

  • darcher
    darcher Member Posts: 304 Member
    edited November 2017 #8
    That's got me wondering too.

    That's got me wondering too. I've noticed a couple spots on my face mostly near my eyes that cropped up since this CRC thing started.   I've never been a beach person and mostly avoided the sun up until a couple years back when I took up outdoor archery.  Even then I'd wear lots of sun block.  My arms and face have been the only things exposed.  The rest of me hasn't seen the light of day since I've been a teen.  I've read somewhere that certain types of chemo can trigger a melanoa response but can't remember which at the moment. 

    I was on Xeloda since August and just had the surgery to remove the tumor last week.  I'm scheduled to see surgeon next week and will ask him about this as well.  I'm going to be starting more chemo shortly after and is something I need to be watchful for.  I've had enough cancer to last me forever.

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    #9
    darcher said:

    That's got me wondering too.

    That's got me wondering too. I've noticed a couple spots on my face mostly near my eyes that cropped up since this CRC thing started.   I've never been a beach person and mostly avoided the sun up until a couple years back when I took up outdoor archery.  Even then I'd wear lots of sun block.  My arms and face have been the only things exposed.  The rest of me hasn't seen the light of day since I've been a teen.  I've read somewhere that certain types of chemo can trigger a melanoa response but can't remember which at the moment. 

    I was on Xeloda since August and just had the surgery to remove the tumor last week.  I'm scheduled to see surgeon next week and will ask him about this as well.  I'm going to be starting more chemo shortly after and is something I need to be watchful for.  I've had enough cancer to last me forever.

    Is all of the pain gone at

    Is all of the pain gone at this point?

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