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Lani · 04-29-2006, 10:28 PM

tried to post this this morning but I guess it didn't post!

Even if you are not currently on docetaxel it may be possible it is a delayed effect, an effect when Herceptin given after docetaxel, an effect of Herceptin or an effect of one or the other on people with a particular genetic makeup who are particularly sensitive:

1: Med Oncol. 2006;23(1):57-62. Related Articles, Links

Epiphora (excessive tearing) and other ocular manifestations related to weekly docetaxel: underestimated dose-limiting toxicity.

Tsalic M, Gilboa M, Visel B, Miller B, Haim N.

Department of Oncology, Rambam Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.

Purpose: Epiphora due to canalicular stenosis is a recently described side effect of weekly docetaxel. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of this complication and other ocular manifestations in patients treated at our medical center. Patients and methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients (breast cancer: 14; metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: 6; metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: 1) (female/male: 14/7; age range: 34-78 yr) were treated with weekly docetaxel (35 mg/m2/wk iv for 6 wk, cycles repeated every 49 d). A standard questionnaire regarding epiphora was completed before each dose of docetaxel. Patients who complained of excessive tearing underwent a thorough ophthalmologic evaluation before receiving the next dose. Results: Epiphora due to stenosis of the lacrimal puncti and canaliculi developed in seven (33%) patients following a cumulative dose of 208-645 mg/m2 (median: 400 mg/m2). Two patients developed complete canalicular stenosis requiring surgery. Epiphora was accompanied by madarosis and ectodermalization of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, complete in five patients. Treatment was discontinued due to epiphora in two (10%) patients. After a median follow-up of 11 mo, four patients still had epiphora. Conclusion: Epiphora due to canalicular stenosis is a frequent complication of weekly docetaxel and might be dose limiting. Irreversible damage requiring surgical intervention may develop despite close monitoring.

PMID: 16645230 [PubMed - in process]

Hope this helps!

04-29-2006, 10:28 PM	#8
Lani Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,782	hot off the press--and it may explain your tearing! tried to post this this morning but I guess it didn't post! Even if you are not currently on docetaxel it may be possible it is a delayed effect, an effect when Herceptin given after docetaxel, an effect of Herceptin or an effect of one or the other on people with a particular genetic makeup who are particularly sensitive: 1: Med Oncol. 2006;23(1):57-62. Related Articles, Links Epiphora (excessive tearing) and other ocular manifestations related to weekly docetaxel: underestimated dose-limiting toxicity. Tsalic M, Gilboa M, Visel B, Miller B, Haim N. Department of Oncology, Rambam Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. Purpose: Epiphora due to canalicular stenosis is a recently described side effect of weekly docetaxel. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of this complication and other ocular manifestations in patients treated at our medical center. Patients and methods: Twenty-one consecutive patients (breast cancer: 14; metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: 6; metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: 1) (female/male: 14/7; age range: 34-78 yr) were treated with weekly docetaxel (35 mg/m2/wk iv for 6 wk, cycles repeated every 49 d). A standard questionnaire regarding epiphora was completed before each dose of docetaxel. Patients who complained of excessive tearing underwent a thorough ophthalmologic evaluation before receiving the next dose. Results: Epiphora due to stenosis of the lacrimal puncti and canaliculi developed in seven (33%) patients following a cumulative dose of 208-645 mg/m2 (median: 400 mg/m2). Two patients developed complete canalicular stenosis requiring surgery. Epiphora was accompanied by madarosis and ectodermalization of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, complete in five patients. Treatment was discontinued due to epiphora in two (10%) patients. After a median follow-up of 11 mo, four patients still had epiphora. Conclusion: Epiphora due to canalicular stenosis is a frequent complication of weekly docetaxel and might be dose limiting. Irreversible damage requiring surgical intervention may develop despite close monitoring. PMID: 16645230 [PubMed - in process] Hope this helps!