Cancers and scleroderma?

[aajmom]

I was wondering if any of you have had any types of cancers and how your scleroderma was both prior to and during the cancer episode. I've had several surgeries for several melanomas- one just this past week and one several years ago. Both times when my melanomas were discovered it seemed that my scleroderma was in an "active phase" or flare up. I had been doing really well with my scleroderma for quite awhile and now it seems that my hands are giving me some trouble each morning. I'm wondering if the body goes "out-of-whack" during these times and basically, all hell breaks loose. It could be coincidental- but I was wondering if any of you had any ideas. Thanks so much! - Adriane

[klw1960]

Never had cancer issues. But the stress of dealing with the cancer certainly can't help with the SD I am sure

[thefangs]

adriene.......jeff has had no bouts with cancer, thank God, but i have read many times that there are cancer cells in every body, but it just takes something to make them "come to life"......so to speak. it wouldn't surprise me if your SD is making the cancer cells active, but i'm no expert. *HUGS*, laurie

[jeffn]

Having SD is stressful for our bodies and while we are stressed I would guess that the stress sort of opens the door for other health issues. I would also think that the reverse is true, other problems cause our SD to act up. How did you surgery go Adriane? Well I trust, heal fast.

[aajmom]

Thanks everyone- it does make sense that the door almost "opens" and then all kinds of stuff comes out. Jeff, my surgery was fine- I'm thankful to have it behind me. I've got stitches and some tight wrappings around the area- it's not painful, only uncomfortable. Now (after the long weekend- of course!) I just have to wait for the results. I do hope it heals quickly- although I'm in no rush to look at the area as I'm sure it's not a pretty site. Oh well!

Have a good weekend to all!- Adriane

[sammie]

I have been wondering about a connection myself. I goggled it and what came up were just main pages for doctors or whoever to sign into. But a few of these "main pages" did say they thought there was a link between melanoma and SD.
Last year I had a large one on my front calf and the surgery was done in a hospital and I was put under. The recovery was slow.
Then just recently I had another one on my wrist. This was removed in the plastic surgeon's office.
So I do wonder if there is a connection between the two.
Sammie

[deannagraham]

I had a small mouth tumor (I had it for 20 years) and a vocal chord polyp disappear wwhen my sd was very active right before my stem cell transplant. Could it be that the cart has been put before the horse,and the sd is becoming active to deal with problems that already exist in our system?

[steve201]

no cancer for me...although it did run in the family.....


Steve

[grammie]

I had cancer before SD. I was DX in 1991, remission for 14yrs when it returned. I was being treated when SD flared its head and it took about a year for it to DX the Sd due to the thought that my condition was due to the chemo. Got the SD under control (cytoxin and am now on minocycline) and have returned to chemo. Mine is mest. breast cancer to the bone.

I have had questionable growths removed from the skin, more since SD but I was a kid who lived on the water in the summer prior to sunscreen so am in the age group that this is common.

This is my experience. Grammie

[Cubby]

Earlier this year, my dermatologist found some basal skin cancers and removed them. They were not melanoma, but scared me anyway.

[sammie]

I, too have had basal cells removed I think about 5 of them now. I think they are pretty common these days from what my dermotologist told me.

Sammie