Effect of Chemotherapy on the Pancreas

[Showme_JJ]

Has any more information been gathered on the connection of chemo's effect on the pancreas?   I had breast cancer when I was 28.  They gave me 6 months of chemo, no raditation.  Since that time I had periods of severe abdominal pain.  My Doctor at that time attributed it to my gallbladder.  It appears now at 55 I have chronic pancreatitis.


This discussion is related to Effects on Pancreas.

[Showme_JJ]

I'm almost sure methotrexate was one of the drugs given.  There were mutiple needles being pushed into my IV but I do remember the name methotrexate.  

Thank you for your quick response.  

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  What sort of chemotherapy was given to you?  Some chemotherapy drugs may result in pancreatitis, but these are drugs commonly used for treating leukemias, not breast cancer.  Examples include asparaginase, cytarabine, and mercaptopurine.  The only chemotherapy drug commonly used in breast cancer which has been known to cause pancreatitis is methotrexate.  This drug is usually given as part of the chemotherapy regimen called CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil).