acutane and skin cancer

[Joyce]

My 16 YO son has scarring acne which has been resistant to antibiotic therapy.  We're considering acutane but wonder if a family history of skin cancer is of importance.  His maternal grandfather is a survivor of melanoma in the lymph system (also had severe scarring acne) and maternal grandmother died of aggressive sweat gland carcinoma.

Are there permanent changes to the oil glands with acutane?  I wonder how skin will look in his later years if the oil glands are not functioning.  Many thanks for your service.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Don't worry, Joyce, Accutane won't affect the risk of cancer, skin or otherwise.  In fact, doctors use Accutane to prevent skin cancers in certain families especially prone to them; the drug certainly doesn't promote cancer.  It also doesn't kill the oil glands, just puts them to sleep while therapy is going on.  Accutane's been around for 18+ years.  People I see many years after treatment look just fine, only with less acne or scarring than they would have had otherwise.  If the acne is severe and resistant and your doctor recommends it, I'd go for it.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Hi]

you sukz wash your face!

[Hi]

wash your face!

[Neicy Jackson]

I used Acutane after trying just about everything on the market for Adult Acne.  Antibiotics didn't help nor did homeopathic remedies.  My acne developed around the side and lower cheek areas of my face.  Although it wasn't as visible it was quite painful.  I started using Acutane around 1993 for about 3 months.  Today my skin is clear and free of blemishes.  My dermatologist remembers the scaring I had and is amazed at my recovery.  I strongly recommend Acutane if you have exhausted EVERY other healing method.

However, be mindful of the side effects which probably vary in each person.  My hair is thinning and my nails don't grow long and beautiful as they once did. Also research the new findings about Acutane and depression while using.