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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Taxotere and Toe Nails
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Taxotere and Toe Nails
by farm gal, Oct 04, 2007 09:35AM
I took taxotere the last 4 of my 8 chemo treatments. My 2 big toe nails turned black and one of them came completely off. The chemo was over in November 2002. The nail that came off came back and it is now , all this time later, half black, and the other one is ALL black and rather loose at the end. I have been to two "foot " doctors and they both say it is a fungus. However I know the trouble started as a result of the Taxotere. It has a side affect of nail trouble. Even the ads in magazines put out by Taxotere company list nail problems.
I think the two doctors did not believe me-(that it was caused by the taxotere). However, my question now is:
Is there a cure for this? I am considering having the worst toe nail taken off. What do you think?
The good news is that I am now still cancer free, and I was a stage III with 14 out of 15 nodes bad. Thank you for your reply, farm gal P.S I am now 74. Also my hair never did come back fully after the chemo.
I think the two doctors did not believe me-(that it was caused by the taxotere). However, my question now is:
Is there a cure for this? I am considering having the worst toe nail taken off. What do you think?
The good news is that I am now still cancer free, and I was a stage III with 14 out of 15 nodes bad. Thank you for your reply, farm gal P.S I am now 74. Also my hair never did come back fully after the chemo.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Oct 04, 2007 11:53AM
, Oct 04, 2007 11:53AM
Dear farm gal: It is well documented that taxotere can cause nail changes, either lightening or darkening and occasionally a condition called onycholytis. Onycholytis is when the nail separates from the nail bed. When this happens, it is not uncommon to develop a fungal infection as well. The treatment for this is to cut the nail way back. This may or may not correct the problem. A podiatrist would be the best qualified to determine if this is what has happened in your case and options for dealing with this.
