Hi all -

My mom has had severe itching after the last 2 rounds of Topotecan. I did a little research and sites are saying that this can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction.

We'll be telling the doctor about the itching this week, but was wondering if any of y'all had experienced the same thing personally or seen a family/friend with the itching.

Thanks!

Linda

_________________
Daughter of a 73 yr. old SCLC patient who smoked 1/2 - 1 pack a day for 55 years.

Mom is diagnosed limited stage 3/07.
Had Cisplatin and etoposide + radiation + PCI through 11/07.
Cancer jumps to adrenal gland 10/08.
Small brain mets in 8/10. Gamma knifed - ZAPPED!
Adrenal gland met has grown to 6" x 6" by 1/11.

Hi there! My mom had 6 months of topecatan and did not have any itching. She had mild symptoms, the worst of which was nausea and fatigue.

I hope you get some feedback from the onc this week. Good luck to you and your mom. You are in my prayers.

_________________
Mom was a 2 pack a day smoker. 65 years old. Persistent cough, stomach ache and back pain lead her a new doc..
Aug 2007- Lung x-ray shows large tumor on left lung.
Sept 07- attempt broncoscopy, but mom won't tolerate.
Needle biopsy is done to get lung sample. Lung collapses. Tests show it's small cell lung cancer, limited. Moms quits smoking. Mom is 65. Inoperable because it's on an artery. Lung was partly collapsed for a while!!.
Oct 07 starts concurrent radiation to lung and chemo. Cistplatin and episotope. 3 days on, 4 weeks off.
Side effects- low wbc. Needed shots to boost. Hair loss. Nausea, fatigue.
35 doses of radiation.
Nov 2007- Another round of cistplatin and epistope
Side effects-low wbc, fatigue and nausea. Mom's scalp seems burnt. Onc switches chemo to carboplatin.
Nov Ct Scan shows tumor shrunk 50%.
Dec 2007-Carboplatin and etoposide. Mom seems better with the new chemo. No infections, no hospitalization.
Wbc 2. CT scan finds no cancer. Mom goes camping!
Jan-March 2008- finish up chemo and Ct scan shows no cancer.
April 2008 PCI for 4 weeks (20 doses).
March 2008 ALL DONE!!
Mom tolerates all treatment well. Has some hearing loss due to PCI.
April 2008 Pet/Ct Scan confirms Complete responder.
(Mom celebrates by starting to smoke again.)
May- Mom was there to see the birth of my third child! Mom turns 68.
May/June 2008 Cough develops
July 08- Pet/CT Scan shows some cloudiness on left lung. (original problem spot) Onc thinks it's iradiation pneumoitis. prescribes steroids. Refers to Pulmonary doctor.
Pulmonary doctor thinks we need to do a broncoscopy to see if there is residual cancer cells. Says there is cloudiness and hypermetabolic activity. Mom refuses.
Aug 2008- Onc prescribes steroids to see if coughing symptoms go away.Also prescribes Lexapro for depression. Works good!
Oct 2008- Mom is still taking low dose steroids. Still coughs a little. Waiting for new CT scan in Dec. Halloween is one year since first chemo. Her hair is growing back nicely. Se is doing well.
Dec 2008- mom's CT scan showed a "shadow" on the original lung, in the same spot. Here we go again. Depression sets in big time.
Jan 2009- PET scan w/ contrast. Waiting on results.
Jan 22,2009 Broncoscopy. Results are negative.
July- Ct scan and Pet show some new activity. Needle biopsy to the lung show small cell.
July 16th, 2009 Mom starts new chemo -Topeketan . Once a week.
She feels sick and nauseated, no other side effects so far.
November 20th, 2009-Stopped taking chemo. Side effects include nausea, hair thinning, weight gain, muscle weakness.
CT scans shows no growth or shrinkage. Taking a break from chemo over the holidays.
Jan 2010-mom stops Topectan for three weeks. Has Pulmonary Embolism, admitted to hospial for three days. Blood thinners and leg filter inserted for futers clots.
Feb 2010- CT scan shows growth. Taxotere to start next week. happy Valentines Day.

I would definitely talk to the onc about it.

My dad didn't have any itching with Topo, so it does sound like a reaction to "something" and it's best to contact the dr. before it gets worse.

I also suggest post at GRACE. Dr. Jack West frequently answers questions for us. You can post this question to the experts and see also what they have to say.

Please keep us posted and I hope your mom gets some relief from the itching soon!!

Hugs

_________________
- Katie Brown, Co-Founder and Director of LCSC-

15 yr cancer survivor.

"Any of us who have experienced the cancer journey- and survived it-
have an obligation to make the path clearer and aid those that come after us."
- Lance Armstrong

In memory of Jessee Dewey, SCLC
December 29, 1938 - September 6, 2003
Lisa Dewey- Jan. 22, 2007
my parents are together in heaven


facebook www.facebook.com/lungevity

Thanks to both of you. My sister asked at last week's doctor's appt. and was reassured that it was not an allergic reaction.

Mostly stable scan again, too. So, a good week!

LLC

_________________
Daughter of a 73 yr. old SCLC patient who smoked 1/2 - 1 pack a day for 55 years.

Mom is diagnosed limited stage 3/07.
Had Cisplatin and etoposide + radiation + PCI through 11/07.
Cancer jumps to adrenal gland 10/08.
Small brain mets in 8/10. Gamma knifed - ZAPPED!
Adrenal gland met has grown to 6" x 6" by 1/11.

Mostly stable is GREAT news!!!