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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Cytoxan Leak
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Cytoxan Leak
by SVent, Jun 11, 2001 12:00AM
Just wondering if anyone has had the experience of a defective port leaking Cytoxan into your body? This recently happened to me (three wks ago) and it was a very painful ordeal. Will it be potentially harmful to me? How would I ever know whether or not I received the full dose of Cytoxan and being that it was the final dose before Taxol began (6/8), does it matter? I was hospitalized for five days but my Onc. does not seem overly concerned. I am confused! Should I get back to the maker of the port for this accident? I still have pain and swelling in the area.
Does anyone have a good recommendation to ease the bone pain rom Taxol? Thanks! SV
Does anyone have a good recommendation to ease the bone pain rom Taxol? Thanks! SV
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Jun 12, 2001 12:00AM
Dear SV, Generally after an extravasation (leaking of IV fluid under the skin) of Cytoxan, the medication will be absorbed by the body not leave any long-term damage. The pain and swelling should decrease over time as the fluid is absorbed and the tissue heals. It is impossible to know how much of the medication ended up being absorbed into your body. Probably in the long run the partial last dose of the Cytoxan won’t make a difference.
If the leak was caused by a defect in the port the manufacturer of the port would want to know about it and there are procedures for reporting the problem. The person who placed the port, or checked the port when it malfunctioned (the surgeon or radiologist) would report this to the manufacturer.
In regard to bone pain from the Taxol, some persons find anti-inflammatory medications to be helpful, such as ibuprophen. Be sure to check with your physician before trying this to be sure there is no contraindication in your situation.
If the leak was caused by a defect in the port the manufacturer of the port would want to know about it and there are procedures for reporting the problem. The person who placed the port, or checked the port when it malfunctioned (the surgeon or radiologist) would report this to the manufacturer.
In regard to bone pain from the Taxol, some persons find anti-inflammatory medications to be helpful, such as ibuprophen. Be sure to check with your physician before trying this to be sure there is no contraindication in your situation.
