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Prednisone or methotrexate cause melanoma?
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Prednisone or methotrexate cause melanoma?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Prednisone or methotrexate cause melanoma?

  • Post
    • September 7, 2015 at 2:58 am
    akamo
    Participant

      Hi. I am wondering what others thought about drugs that suppress the immune system? My husband has psoriatic arthritis (and psoriasis) and was put on low dose prednisone because he was in so much pain that he couldn't function in everyday life. Within about 4 months of starting the prednisone he developed melanoma. He has since went off of it because we thought it would slow his recovery (stage 1A with a WLE). As of now, he is back to being in excruciating pain. Is there anyone in this group who has arthritis and takes prednisone or methotrexate? I have read that they both can cause melanoma so imagine he would have a greater chance to get it again. Thoughts? Thanks-Robin

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    • Replies
        • September 7, 2015 at 1:51 pm
        Colleen66
        Participant
          Hi Robin.

          I don’t know of any connection. But, I was on immunosuppressive meds for years for multiple AI issues. I’m 3b and NED. Immunosuppressive meds are no longer an option for me to help with other AIs so it’s symptom management at this point. Good luck. Colleen mo

            • September 7, 2015 at 2:14 pm
            jpg
            Participant

              They don't necessarily cause melanoma, but I know you have to be very careful about sun exposure with them. Be sure to ask about other drugs, no one should be in pain.

              • September 7, 2015 at 2:14 pm
              jpg
              Participant

                They don't necessarily cause melanoma, but I know you have to be very careful about sun exposure with them. Be sure to ask about other drugs, no one should be in pain.

                • September 7, 2015 at 2:14 pm
                jpg
                Participant

                  They don't necessarily cause melanoma, but I know you have to be very careful about sun exposure with them. Be sure to ask about other drugs, no one should be in pain.

                • September 7, 2015 at 1:51 pm
                Colleen66
                Participant
                  Hi Robin.

                  I don’t know of any connection. But, I was on immunosuppressive meds for years for multiple AI issues. I’m 3b and NED. Immunosuppressive meds are no longer an option for me to help with other AIs so it’s symptom management at this point. Good luck. Colleen mo

                  • September 7, 2015 at 1:51 pm
                  Colleen66
                  Participant
                    Hi Robin.

                    I don’t know of any connection. But, I was on immunosuppressive meds for years for multiple AI issues. I’m 3b and NED. Immunosuppressive meds are no longer an option for me to help with other AIs so it’s symptom management at this point. Good luck. Colleen mo

                    • September 7, 2015 at 4:09 pm
                    ET-SF
                    Participant

                      There are two instances in my own family of someone being put under extraordinary emotional stress (think high corticosteroid levels), only to develop cancer and die within a few years.  We also have close friends for which this has been true.  There are also sometimes dormant pathogens that spring to life when the immune system is compromised — like tuberculosis.  I would personally have to have a very compelling reason to go on any drug that would compromise the integrity of my immune system.

                      • September 7, 2015 at 4:09 pm
                      ET-SF
                      Participant

                        There are two instances in my own family of someone being put under extraordinary emotional stress (think high corticosteroid levels), only to develop cancer and die within a few years.  We also have close friends for which this has been true.  There are also sometimes dormant pathogens that spring to life when the immune system is compromised — like tuberculosis.  I would personally have to have a very compelling reason to go on any drug that would compromise the integrity of my immune system.

                        • September 7, 2015 at 4:09 pm
                        ET-SF
                        Participant

                          There are two instances in my own family of someone being put under extraordinary emotional stress (think high corticosteroid levels), only to develop cancer and die within a few years.  We also have close friends for which this has been true.  There are also sometimes dormant pathogens that spring to life when the immune system is compromised — like tuberculosis.  I would personally have to have a very compelling reason to go on any drug that would compromise the integrity of my immune system.

                          • September 8, 2015 at 6:51 pm
                          DZnDef
                          Participant

                            I was on prednisone (10-40mg/day) for a year and three months followed by 3 months of methotrexate  around 1995.  I had my first Stage IV spot on my lung found July 2012.  Seems like a really long break to blame the melanoma on those drugs.  More likely it was multiple factors that contributed to my cancer.  Maybe those drugs were a first step.  I don't know.  Ten years ago I was on heavy doses of Cipro which seemed to cause several moles to change.  I had one removed but it wasn't melanoma.  But again, this might have been one more straw.  Then 8 years ago I was on fertility drugs (IVF) – another straw?  Then 4 years ago my father died leading to profound grief – final straw?  Two years after his death my lung tumor was found.  I don't know that any one thing causes us to get cancer.  More likely its a combination of things or a cascade effect.  Keeping the immune system in tip-top shape would seem to be a good defense against getting cancer.  Harder to do as we get older.

                            Good luck to you and your husband!

                            Maggie

                            • September 8, 2015 at 6:51 pm
                            DZnDef
                            Participant

                              I was on prednisone (10-40mg/day) for a year and three months followed by 3 months of methotrexate  around 1995.  I had my first Stage IV spot on my lung found July 2012.  Seems like a really long break to blame the melanoma on those drugs.  More likely it was multiple factors that contributed to my cancer.  Maybe those drugs were a first step.  I don't know.  Ten years ago I was on heavy doses of Cipro which seemed to cause several moles to change.  I had one removed but it wasn't melanoma.  But again, this might have been one more straw.  Then 8 years ago I was on fertility drugs (IVF) – another straw?  Then 4 years ago my father died leading to profound grief – final straw?  Two years after his death my lung tumor was found.  I don't know that any one thing causes us to get cancer.  More likely its a combination of things or a cascade effect.  Keeping the immune system in tip-top shape would seem to be a good defense against getting cancer.  Harder to do as we get older.

                              Good luck to you and your husband!

                              Maggie

                              • September 8, 2015 at 6:51 pm
                              DZnDef
                              Participant

                                I was on prednisone (10-40mg/day) for a year and three months followed by 3 months of methotrexate  around 1995.  I had my first Stage IV spot on my lung found July 2012.  Seems like a really long break to blame the melanoma on those drugs.  More likely it was multiple factors that contributed to my cancer.  Maybe those drugs were a first step.  I don't know.  Ten years ago I was on heavy doses of Cipro which seemed to cause several moles to change.  I had one removed but it wasn't melanoma.  But again, this might have been one more straw.  Then 8 years ago I was on fertility drugs (IVF) – another straw?  Then 4 years ago my father died leading to profound grief – final straw?  Two years after his death my lung tumor was found.  I don't know that any one thing causes us to get cancer.  More likely its a combination of things or a cascade effect.  Keeping the immune system in tip-top shape would seem to be a good defense against getting cancer.  Harder to do as we get older.

                                Good luck to you and your husband!

                                Maggie

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