vulvar cancer./ 5 FU..

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy and Deb.

Debby I didnt know that itching was more prevalent with VC, so thank you

for that. Kudo's to you for being so active in all this as well.. hope

you got some help from down O.U. way... great college, my daughter went

there, but much too far for me to help or I would.

Kathy, thank you for sharing that about what you went thru with your VC

(vulvar cancer). So you did have some burning then and were red and

irritated..I'm glad you told us that, I wouldn't want anyone thinking

that just because it's painful that it can't be cancer. *sigh*.. Guess

those bumps/lumps are certainly something that should be checked out as

well if not more so!

I felt so bad when you mentioned that you had to use the Fluorouracil 5FU

cream.. I know that stuff can be devasting. (I'm assuming you were given

this 'AFTER' you were diagnosed with cancer right?) Hopefully not before

*sigh* my .02 cents here. I know it's used for cancer but the side

effects especially dematologically can be pretty severe for the

surrounding skin and it's no wonder you might still be in pain from the

after effects. Just my thoughts anyway. I know that you probably

'needed' it hon.. but guess I'm just furious at 'Cancer' !!!!!! and why

it's there in the first place!!!!!

" Dermatologic Side effects: of 5FU (Fluorouracil)

>dry skin, fissuring, pruritis, inflammation, photosensitivity, as

manifested by erythema or increased pigmentation of the skin; vein

pigmentation; palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, as manifested

by tingling of the hands and feet following by pain, erythema, and

swelling. " <

I also have a study where they were using it (5FU) for HPV...(genital

warts) talk about horrendous..(I don't think they use it anymore, at

least I hope not) and what's sad is that in that study they showed

definitely 'more' improvement with the placebo, Grrrrr.. talk about using

an AX for a headache when it's a cancer drug. And why often the

'treatment' is worse than the disease. *sigh*.. and I can't believe that

NP telling you 'so what if it's red " .. ARGHHHHHH... as tho that was your

major concern.

anyway, I sure feel for you and hope soon all of this is behind you and

things will be better than ever. Take care hon , Warmest Dee

symptons

Hi Dee, In l999, I started to feel a burn in the vulva area as well as

a red appearance. I also had a red bump that I was told was scar tissue

and was given oitments to promote healing. One dr thought it was

vulvadynia. Another gyn decided to do a biopsy and it turned out to be

VIN l & dysplasia. I used a steriod cream and nothing helped. I always

felt an irritation, sometimes a little itchy, but mostly a burn. Then I

went to a gyn-oncologist and was put on FU5 cream.(chemo cream). Abnormal

cells went away but I still am red and have that burn. I went to another

gyn & asked if she thought I had vulvadynia and she said it could be the

VIN so I'm going for another biopsy on Tues. I've read that some women

have itch, burning and/or pain so it could be the VIN. One NP told me

what do you care if your red as if I was concerned with cosmetics- It

hurts and that's what's bothering me as well as it being cancer. That's

what makes vulvar prob. so bad-so many drs. don't know much about it.

It's great the way you share so much info. with everyone. Kathy