Cancer? | Arthritis Information

 

I know the biologic meds like Enbrel can cause cancer.  Has anyone had any scares like this or know of anyone who has had?

I had a scare on Methotrexate where I went septic and they thought I had luekemia, but it turned out to just be several infections at once.

I haven't had a scare like that but from what I understand it is long term use where the low incidence of cancer occurs.  It is like after 10-15 years where they see this with the biologics.  Mtx is also said to cause a low incidence of cancer after long term use. 

When you went septic with all those infections at once, did you take the mtx when you like had a head cold?  Just wondering because I will take my mtx when I just have a head or chest cold. 

Matthew,I was told that there is roughly a 3% chance of cancer,mostly lymphoma,bytaking Enbrel.I was also told and confirmed by research that I have a 3% chance of the same cancer by having RA.I think I'll tacke my chances!!!!!! Wow, there is a 3% chance with RA? Why is that. Do they have any
explanation for that? Is it other meds we take? Drugs use to treat other diseases come into the picture of RA. I know Methotrexate is a cancer drug, Quinine for Malaria and Enbrel can cause cancer, wow. I believe Aids drugs will soon be introduced.Lorster,   There isn't a real clear cut answer but some doctors feel that the lymphoma is caused by our immune systems being so over active. That causes there to be more immune cells and as you know the lymph system is what manufactures and transports the immune cells and therefore there is a higher risk of cancer of the lymph system. Anytime there are more cells there is more of a risk of some of them being malignant or statistical risk.

I'm sure there are more theories but that's the one I've read about the most.

And because the risk percentages for cancer from the biological drugs and RA itself are so very close; no one really knows if the cancers are from RA or the biologics in those people who have had RA long term. And most people who have been on the biologics long term probably started them in the clinical trial stage and most people in the clinical trials had a severe form of RA for a long time. That's my take on if from discussions with my doctor and what I've read.I wonder how many people who get Lymphoma have an auto immune
disease to start with?
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