Is it logical to wonder if 2 years on Prednisone can be a contributing cause to a cancer ?… by Lidybe
In that by reducing the body's immune system it can allow a cancer to take hold ?
All thoughts and opinions on this appreciated. I do not know of any study data.
Best Answer:
Yes, it is logical. The prednisone would not actually induce malignant transformation of cells, but I would be concerned about chronic immunosuppression dropping my immune guard to early evolving malignancies as you apparently are already aware.
It is part of the immune function to identify, attack, and destroy aberrant cells that could propagate into a malignant tumor if allowed to grow unchecked.
This is more of a theoretical concern since I don't know of actual data to indicate a clear association between two years of prednisone and and increased risk for any of the many types of cancer. (Of course, I do not know ALL data that has been published especially since I am now a retired cancer doctor.)
I think you must be quite intelligent and well informed to think of this.
It is a factor that should be considered and weighed against the benefits you are gaining with control of whatever disorder has prompted the chronic prednisone therapy.
I believe it also matters what dose level you are taking. Higher doses chronically would concern me more than low dose prednisone. Of course high dose chronic prednisone has many other side effects which you are probably familiar with - Cushinoid changes and other problems.
Best of luck to you. Hope you do not develop a malignancy, but if you do - you still will not be able to tell whether it was the prednisone which contributed. If it is possible to reduce the dose or get off the prednisone, that might be best. But if you are going to have to substitute Cytoxan - don't do it. The Cytoxan is more of a risk of actually causing cellular damage leading to malignancy.
As others have said, discussing this with the doctor(s) who knows your case in detail is the appropriate thing to do here.
Powered by Yahoo Answers