HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Lolly · 10-26-2005, 10:09 PM

Lyn, you're gonna love this (well, maybe not ), but your description of the rash rang a bell in my head and I remembered a discussion on the original HER2 Support site, a looooong time ago...here's the context of the article from CancerConsultants:

What is radiation recall?

Radiation recall is a severe skin reaction that develops when chemotherapy is administered during or soon after radiation treatment. It usually appears on the area of skin where the radiation was administered several weeks to months after the radiation was administered.

What causes radiation recall?

The chemotherapy drugs that have been reported to cause radiation recall in more than 10% of patients include:

Actinomycin (Cosmegen®)
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®)
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex®)
Fluorouracil (5-FU)
Hydroxyurea (Hydrea®)
Paclitaxel (Taxol®)
Liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®)

What are the symptoms of radiation recall?

Radiation recall is a rash that appears like a severe sun burn. It is characterized by one or more of the following:

Redness
Tenderness
Swelling
Wet sores
Peeling skin
Discoloration after the skin has healed

What is the treatment for radiation recall?

In some cases, symptoms may be severe enough that chemotherapy may have to be delayed until your skin heals. Usually, your doctor will try to give you medication to reduce the inflammation so that you can continue receiving the chemotherapy. Corticosteroids, in the form of a pill or a cream, may be prescribed for this purpose.

What else can I do?

It is very important to protect the skin that is irritated:

Stay out of the sun
Use sunscreens when you must be exposed
Avoid tanning beds
Wear loose, non-restrictive clothing

Cancer Consultants.com ©1998-2005, last updated 05/04, Authored by Charles H. Weaver, M.D., Managing Editor and C. D. Buckner, M.D., Scientific Editor. CancerConsultants.com, All Rights Reserved.

The information contained above is general in nature and is not intended as a guide to self-medication by consumers or meant to substitute for advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. The reader is advised to consult with a physician or other medical professional and to check product information (including packaging inserts) for changes and new information regarding dosage, precautions, and contra indication before administering any drug, herb, supplement, compound, therapy or treatment discussed herein. Neither the editors nor the publisher accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or consequences from the use or misuse of the information contained herein.

10-26-2005, 10:09 PM	#9
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Lyn, you're gonna love this (well, maybe not ), but your description of the rash rang a bell in my head and I remembered a discussion on the original HER2 Support site, a looooong time ago...here's the context of the article from CancerConsultants: *What is radiation recall?* Radiation recall is a severe skin reaction that develops when chemotherapy is administered during or soon after radiation treatment. It usually appears on the area of skin where the radiation was administered several weeks to months after the radiation was administered. *What causes radiation recall?* The chemotherapy drugs that have been reported to cause radiation recall in more than 10% of patients include: Actinomycin (Cosmegen®) Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) Methotrexate (Rheumatrex®) Fluorouracil (5-FU) Hydroxyurea (Hydrea®) Paclitaxel (Taxol®) Liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®) *What are the symptoms of radiation recall?* Radiation recall is a rash that appears like a severe sun burn. It is characterized by one or more of the following: Redness Tenderness Swelling Wet sores Peeling skin Discoloration after the skin has healed *What is the treatment for radiation recall?* In some cases, symptoms may be severe enough that chemotherapy may have to be delayed until your skin heals. Usually, your doctor will try to give you medication to reduce the inflammation so that you can continue receiving the chemotherapy. Corticosteroids, in the form of a pill or a cream, may be prescribed for this purpose. *What else can I do?* It is very important to protect the skin that is irritated: Stay out of the sun Use sunscreens when you must be exposed Avoid tanning beds Wear loose, non-restrictive clothing Cancer Consultants.com ©1998-2005, last updated 05/04, Authored by Charles H. Weaver, M.D., Managing Editor and C. D. Buckner, M.D., Scientific Editor. CancerConsultants.com, All Rights Reserved. The information contained above is general in nature and is not intended as a guide to self-medication by consumers or meant to substitute for advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. The reader is advised to consult with a physician or other medical professional and to check product information (including packaging inserts) for changes and new information regarding dosage, precautions, and contra indication before administering any drug, herb, supplement, compound, therapy or treatment discussed herein. Neither the editors nor the publisher accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or consequences from the use or misuse of the information contained herein.