Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer but have Ulcerative Colitis

[MsBliss]

Is it safe to have chemotherapy (Taxotere/Cytoxan) if you have active Ulcerative Colitis?

[MsBliss]

Hi JoAnn.  I'm am so sorry for your complication.  I understand what it is like.  I have more information since I posted my question.  I have been in remission since 2001--Rowasa and Asacol barely kept the bleeding and inflammation under control.  Then I think it went into remission because of intense exercise along with taking a specific type of medication for a head injury I suffered.  It had a side effect of making my UC back down, when actually, because it is a type of mild amphetamine mix, it should have made it worse.  I can't explain it; my doctor thinks that because it raises serum cortisol levels that maybe that is why it helped.  I want you to ask your doctor about this to see if it is worth a try.  There is also another option which is called Vyanase or something like that.  It is the same medication but it is bound to Lysine and only gets absorbed in the small intestines--that way there is no "speedy" reaction to it.   Also, I have been told that Abraxane is easier on the gut; you may qualify for this drug depending on your status and issues.  Please ask your doctor.  Let me know what you learn and please stay in touch.

[Poem47]

Unfortunately, I am living this nightmare!  I have Ulcerative Colitis and was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  I just finished my first round of Taxotere/Cytoxan on the 7th of this month.  My UC has been well controlled over the past 10 years.  Four days after my first chemo I went into the worst flare of my life.  it has been 5 days now and my usual methods of 12 asacol and 2 rowasa have not helped at all.   The GI took stool cultures to make sure that there is not infection. We have not gotten results yet.  I am so discouraged and feel like throwing in the towel.  I am so sick from the flare these drugs caused.  I only have 4 rounds-3 more left but I don't know how I'm going to do it if this flare doesn't get back in control.  My oncologist was not thrilled about giving me chemo because of the risk of dangerous infection with UC but we felt because of my age, 47 and some lymphovascular invasion in the tumor it would be best to do chemo.  He did put me on an antibiotic as a protection but of course that probably isn't helping my colitis.  
Just wanted to let you know there is someone out there suffering through this.  Good luck to you and I would be happy to keep you posted about how things work out for me.  Everyone is different as you know with UC so you may be lucky  and not have a flare.  Several doctors kept telling me my UC would get better!

Best,
JoAnn

[MsBliss]

I guess what I meant was whether it was less than optimal.  In other words, would these drugs potentially pose a flare up, and if so, how is it treated.  Is there an alternative that would be less potentially risky.

[japdip]

I'm sure your Oncologist would not recommend any treatment that would be contradicted by any other ailment you might have. He/She should have your complete medical history unless you have withheld some information. You should discuss this in detail with him/her if you have any questions regarding your treatment.    Regards ....