Chemo, radiation and sun spots on skin:

coloCan
coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I spent years on the beach in summers without using lotion or sun screens and cultivated quite a number of spots as a result (two removed as precancerous maybe 8 years ago or so). Since Dx of COPD in 2000 I had cut down on going and eventually stopped beachbumming due to difficulty breathing in heat. However, since doing oxi,Xeloda,radiation,FOLFOX my sun spots are alot more prominent both size-wise and thickness-wise. Anybody else notice similar effects?.....Probably should go to dermatologist but afraid they'll never let me out of the office!!!!!......steve

Comments

  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #2
    steve
    yes I would say my brown spots are browner and bigger but like you I guess I am afraid to ask.

    for anyone on 5 FU....I found I really really burned easily in the sun...the xeloda did not make my skin burn as easily but man I could fry just walking outside on 5fu so be careful!!

    mags
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #3
    maglets said:

    steve
    yes I would say my brown spots are browner and bigger but like you I guess I am afraid to ask.

    for anyone on 5 FU....I found I really really burned easily in the sun...the xeloda did not make my skin burn as easily but man I could fry just walking outside on 5fu so be careful!!

    mags

    I was too sick to be outside much, either in summer or winter,
    while undergoing chemo/rad. I find now just taking a walk in the sun gets me a burn so I often wear long-sleeves(so I can occasionally roll them up) to go with my extra long shirts but always forget the little bald spot on top and I don't like wearing hats (except in coldness) I'm also afraid to have skin checked too.....
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #4
    coloCan said:

    I was too sick to be outside much, either in summer or winter,
    while undergoing chemo/rad. I find now just taking a walk in the sun gets me a burn so I often wear long-sleeves(so I can occasionally roll them up) to go with my extra long shirts but always forget the little bald spot on top and I don't like wearing hats (except in coldness) I'm also afraid to have skin checked too.....

    sun
    yup I was sick too steve but like you i had always been a big believer in the healing power of sun....well when you live in canada we hardly ever see it anyway...hahah but I don`t do much sun exposure anymore either....but I still love the warmth and find it relaxin....

    mags
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #5
    I have noticed more +
    I have noticed more + browner skin spots since I have been on chemo. I can especially see this if I look in the magnifying mirror. My daughter actually has said that my skin has a nice healthy glow to it. Her boyfriend asked her in the winter if I had been going to sun-tanning salons - the last place I would go even if I weren't on chemo. I know that the sheet I got from the oncologist regarding 5-FU warns to be careful of sun exposure. It's funny, last night I was watching tv + there was an ad for a moisturizer which said it can help with brown spots. I may give it a try; it is just an over the counter drug so I don't think there would be much harm in trying it.
  • BeCuz
    BeCuz Member Posts: 4
    #6
    When my husband was starting
    When my husband was starting Xeloda/radiation, his ONC told us he would probably notice a change in the sun spots (pre skin cancer)on his head, face, etc. He said the cream they use to treat the spots is made out of the same thing as Xeloda. Most of his spots went away, some have come back a little bit.

    Thought I should add that they did get worse before they got better.

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