MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Melanoma and Crohn’s
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Melanoma and Crohn’s

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Melanoma and Crohn’s

  • Post
    • May 11, 2012 at 2:53 pm
    bostonguy
    Participant

      I am wondering if anyone has Crohn's disease in addition to melanoma?

       

      Brief background on me:

       

      1.5 mm melanoma on my left chest identified; sentinel node biopsy was positive in one node out of 5 with microscopic deposits (two foci – .27mm and .3mm) .  PET and CT and MRI all came back clean.  I'm scheduled for lymph node dissection on May 16th, next Wednesday. I'm praying that no more positive nodes are found!!

       

      I am wondering if anyone has Crohn's disease in addition to melanoma?

       

      Brief background on me:

       

      1.5 mm melanoma on my left chest identified; sentinel node biopsy was positive in one node out of 5 with microscopic deposits (two foci – .27mm and .3mm) .  PET and CT and MRI all came back clean.  I'm scheduled for lymph node dissection on May 16th, next Wednesday. I'm praying that no more positive nodes are found!!

       

      I have had Crohn's for about 18 years now; was diagnosed at 16 and am 34.  Since 2006/2007, my Crohn's has been kept in check by Humira, which is an anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (aTNF)  biologic medication.  There's a lot of literature on the web about a link between aTNF drugs and melanoma, although every doctor (both Crohn's specialists and Melanoma Dermatology specialists) I've spoken to is skeptical. However, my oncological surgeon did tell me that it's possible that Humira could put me at higher risk for melanoma recurrence, which I obviously want to avoid.

       

      After I have the lymph node dissection, I'll be meeting with a medical oncologist, probably to talk about Interferon.  I will also have to schedule an appointment with my Crohn's specialist and these two are going to have to figure something out.  I'm wondering what other people's experiences are.  As always, I appreciate any replies!

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • May 11, 2012 at 3:11 pm
        mlbjab
        Participant

          what were the symptoms of crohns?  my elemenarty aged child seems to never be able to empty his colon.  his stools are always runny and has mucus.  sorry for too much info.  he goes bathroom 4 times a day usually. 

            • May 11, 2012 at 4:15 pm
            bostonguy
            Participant

              Crohn's has many symptoms and it's different for many people.  Clinically, the symptoms are often diarhea, abdominal pain, mucous in the stool, blood in the stool, fevers or night sweats.  Many symptoms are similar to Ulcerative Colitis, which is another form of INflammatory Bowel Disease.

               

              I would highly recommend that you get him in to see a pediatric gastronenterologist.  There are many things (such as Celiac or a food allergy) that could be causing your son's GI issues, or it could just be the way his body is.

               

               

               

              • May 11, 2012 at 4:51 pm
              Lori1976
              Participant

                I was first diagnosed with MM stage 1 in 2000, then Crohn's Disease in 2004. My CD has been treated with Pentasa and occasionally steroids. I had a bowel resection in Jan.2008 only to have CD reappear  six months later.  Both my GI and Melanoma doctor have been very leary about treating my CD with immunosuppresants due to the melanoma diagnosis. They said absolutely no anti-TNF, remicaid,humira etc.  I have developed arthritis from the CD and was getting ready to try imuran to see if that provided any relief, knowing in the back of my head that melanoma could be an issue. Low and behold, I had my yearly melanoma appt and they did a biopsy and it came back melanoma in situ, 12 yrs from my first. So now I'm afraid to start the imuran.  It is a slippery slope dealing with both of these diseases.  The therapies that help CD are known to be risky with various cancers, lymphoma and definately an increase in non melanoma skin cancers.  I'm very interested to know what your doctors will suggest for your treatment.

                • June 1, 2012 at 6:50 pm
                Erinmay22
                Participant

                  I know this post has been out there for a few weeks.  Had questions about Chrons.  So my last scan in May showed that I had a 4.5 cm section of my small intestine (ileum?) with significant thickening of the wall.  I also had lymph nodes around that area that show enlarged.

                  My doctor has started me on Zelboraf but I question if it's Melanoma (they say it shows all the signs, being that bowel is a common place and we already know I had Melanoma in my lungs)…  I was wondering if maybe it's Chrons or Inflammatory bowel disease?  I started having stomach cramps in Dec (after getting the flu really bad after coming back from Thailand).  My Feb scans were clear.  My doctor said the spots are too hard to biopsy. 

                  Just wondering what chron's looks like.  If folks had lymph nodes that were swollen also?

                  Thanks,
                  Erin

                  • June 1, 2012 at 6:50 pm
                  Erinmay22
                  Participant

                    I know this post has been out there for a few weeks.  Had questions about Chrons.  So my last scan in May showed that I had a 4.5 cm section of my small intestine (ileum?) with significant thickening of the wall.  I also had lymph nodes around that area that show enlarged.

                    My doctor has started me on Zelboraf but I question if it's Melanoma (they say it shows all the signs, being that bowel is a common place and we already know I had Melanoma in my lungs)…  I was wondering if maybe it's Chrons or Inflammatory bowel disease?  I started having stomach cramps in Dec (after getting the flu really bad after coming back from Thailand).  My Feb scans were clear.  My doctor said the spots are too hard to biopsy. 

                    Just wondering what chron's looks like.  If folks had lymph nodes that were swollen also?

                    Thanks,
                    Erin

                    • June 1, 2012 at 6:50 pm
                    Erinmay22
                    Participant

                      I know this post has been out there for a few weeks.  Had questions about Chrons.  So my last scan in May showed that I had a 4.5 cm section of my small intestine (ileum?) with significant thickening of the wall.  I also had lymph nodes around that area that show enlarged.

                      My doctor has started me on Zelboraf but I question if it's Melanoma (they say it shows all the signs, being that bowel is a common place and we already know I had Melanoma in my lungs)…  I was wondering if maybe it's Chrons or Inflammatory bowel disease?  I started having stomach cramps in Dec (after getting the flu really bad after coming back from Thailand).  My Feb scans were clear.  My doctor said the spots are too hard to biopsy. 

                      Just wondering what chron's looks like.  If folks had lymph nodes that were swollen also?

                      Thanks,
                      Erin

                      • May 11, 2012 at 4:51 pm
                      Lori1976
                      Participant

                        I was first diagnosed with MM stage 1 in 2000, then Crohn's Disease in 2004. My CD has been treated with Pentasa and occasionally steroids. I had a bowel resection in Jan.2008 only to have CD reappear  six months later.  Both my GI and Melanoma doctor have been very leary about treating my CD with immunosuppresants due to the melanoma diagnosis. They said absolutely no anti-TNF, remicaid,humira etc.  I have developed arthritis from the CD and was getting ready to try imuran to see if that provided any relief, knowing in the back of my head that melanoma could be an issue. Low and behold, I had my yearly melanoma appt and they did a biopsy and it came back melanoma in situ, 12 yrs from my first. So now I'm afraid to start the imuran.  It is a slippery slope dealing with both of these diseases.  The therapies that help CD are known to be risky with various cancers, lymphoma and definately an increase in non melanoma skin cancers.  I'm very interested to know what your doctors will suggest for your treatment.

                        • May 11, 2012 at 4:51 pm
                        Lori1976
                        Participant

                          I was first diagnosed with MM stage 1 in 2000, then Crohn's Disease in 2004. My CD has been treated with Pentasa and occasionally steroids. I had a bowel resection in Jan.2008 only to have CD reappear  six months later.  Both my GI and Melanoma doctor have been very leary about treating my CD with immunosuppresants due to the melanoma diagnosis. They said absolutely no anti-TNF, remicaid,humira etc.  I have developed arthritis from the CD and was getting ready to try imuran to see if that provided any relief, knowing in the back of my head that melanoma could be an issue. Low and behold, I had my yearly melanoma appt and they did a biopsy and it came back melanoma in situ, 12 yrs from my first. So now I'm afraid to start the imuran.  It is a slippery slope dealing with both of these diseases.  The therapies that help CD are known to be risky with various cancers, lymphoma and definately an increase in non melanoma skin cancers.  I'm very interested to know what your doctors will suggest for your treatment.

                          • May 11, 2012 at 4:15 pm
                          bostonguy
                          Participant

                            Crohn's has many symptoms and it's different for many people.  Clinically, the symptoms are often diarhea, abdominal pain, mucous in the stool, blood in the stool, fevers or night sweats.  Many symptoms are similar to Ulcerative Colitis, which is another form of INflammatory Bowel Disease.

                             

                            I would highly recommend that you get him in to see a pediatric gastronenterologist.  There are many things (such as Celiac or a food allergy) that could be causing your son's GI issues, or it could just be the way his body is.

                             

                             

                             

                            • May 11, 2012 at 4:15 pm
                            bostonguy
                            Participant

                              Crohn's has many symptoms and it's different for many people.  Clinically, the symptoms are often diarhea, abdominal pain, mucous in the stool, blood in the stool, fevers or night sweats.  Many symptoms are similar to Ulcerative Colitis, which is another form of INflammatory Bowel Disease.

                               

                              I would highly recommend that you get him in to see a pediatric gastronenterologist.  There are many things (such as Celiac or a food allergy) that could be causing your son's GI issues, or it could just be the way his body is.

                               

                               

                               

                            • May 11, 2012 at 3:11 pm
                            mlbjab
                            Participant

                              what were the symptoms of crohns?  my elemenarty aged child seems to never be able to empty his colon.  his stools are always runny and has mucus.  sorry for too much info.  he goes bathroom 4 times a day usually. 

                              • May 11, 2012 at 3:11 pm
                              mlbjab
                              Participant

                                what were the symptoms of crohns?  my elemenarty aged child seems to never be able to empty his colon.  his stools are always runny and has mucus.  sorry for too much info.  he goes bathroom 4 times a day usually. 

                                • October 14, 2012 at 3:55 pm
                                cojo869
                                Participant

                                  I was just recently dioagnosed with melonoma and have undergone a second surgery with a sential node biospy…still awaiting the results. I have however had Crohns for 24 years…unmedicated and simply kept under control through diet. I am very concerned about if any meds are going to be used and the affect it will have on my crohns….yuck.

                                  • October 14, 2012 at 3:55 pm
                                  cojo869
                                  Participant

                                    I was just recently dioagnosed with melonoma and have undergone a second surgery with a sential node biospy…still awaiting the results. I have however had Crohns for 24 years…unmedicated and simply kept under control through diet. I am very concerned about if any meds are going to be used and the affect it will have on my crohns….yuck.

                                    • October 14, 2012 at 3:55 pm
                                    cojo869
                                    Participant

                                      I was just recently dioagnosed with melonoma and have undergone a second surgery with a sential node biospy…still awaiting the results. I have however had Crohns for 24 years…unmedicated and simply kept under control through diet. I am very concerned about if any meds are going to be used and the affect it will have on my crohns….yuck.

                                  Viewing 5 reply threads
                                  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                  About the MRF Patient Forum

                                  The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                  The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.