adverse reaction to medicine causing cancer again

[ct7154]

I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 1996, had radiation inside and out. I was advised then to never take hormones.
I have been fine with the exception of some repercussions with my intestines. I have had a weight loss in the last year and a half, and recently, after much testing to make sure there was nothing else wrong, was put on megace. I went on line to look into megace and there was some mention of progesterone. I have only taken the 1tsp. dose for two days now. I was planning to call my gyn. dr. tomorrow regarding this matter. Do I have reason to not take megace?
Is there progesterone in it? Could it trigger another cancer problem.
Thank you. Chris

[ct7154]

Thank you so much for the information. I did have a total hysteretomy. Does that change any of the side affects or post any new ones? Is the hair loss common, and does it come back after the medication is stopped if there is a hair loss?
Thank you. Chris

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Chris,

megace is progesterone. For cancer of the uterus, estrogen is the hormone that can stimulate growth of cancer. megace is actually a therapy fro endometrial cancer as it inhibits growth of the endometrial lining.
I suspect you are given megace as an appetite stimulant. The main side effects of progesterone include:
higher risk of blood clots in the legs
a sensation of breathlessness because the progesterone stimulates your brain to breath faster
depression (it is the PMS) hormone
weight gain (it increases appetite
occasion hair loss

best wishes

[PF_PVD]

I have stage IV ovca and lost 30% of my body weight since dx, and I've been taking megace as an appetite stimulant for over a month and haven't noticed any side effects (except hunger and weight gain which is after all the goal).  I do have breathlessness but I'm sure that is due to my severly reduced RBC from my current chemo treatments (carbo/gemzar).  I was also worried about the hormonal component of this but understand this drug is actually considered a treatment for a number of cancers.

p.s. Isn't megace nasty stuff to take (the liquid version)?