HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Crohn's and cancer treatments

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/6/2019 6:53 AM (GMT -7)
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had insights/resources related to whether/how cancer treatment affects IBD. I recently switched from Entyvio to Stelara (have only had my first infusion). This week I found out I have breast cancer. I still don't have a treatment plan but one of my first thoughts was whether chemo/radiation would mess with my Crohn's, and I'm guessing at least a few folks on this board have dealt with similar situations.
Posted 12/8/2019 11:46 AM (GMT -7)
I have no insight or advice and I hope someone will reply who does. I just wanted to say I'm so sorry about your diagnosis and maybe you can keep posting here to let us know how you're doing. I wish you all the best.
Posted 12/8/2019 12:00 PM (GMT -7)
I'm very sorry to hear about your diagnosis as well. I don't have any advice but hopefully someone else will chime in. I hope your treatment goes well. Will be thinking about you.
Posted 12/8/2019 6:06 PM (GMT -7)
I too sadly have no advice. I hope someone chimes in soon with some good advice, but if not, maybe your GI can refer you to someone with expertise to answer all the potential questions you will have. Hope the treatments go well. Keep us posted.
Posted 12/8/2019 7:11 PM (GMT -7)
I don’t have any first had experience either but also wanted to add my support with everyone else. Please do let us know how you are doing!
Posted 12/9/2019 6:11 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks all. I've been on this board for 14 years and have always valued your support so much.

I have a MRI tomorrow and my "tumor board" meeting Thursday, so I should have details on the staging of the cancer and a treatment plan at that time. I'll make sure to keep everyone posted.
Posted 12/9/2019 7:27 AM (GMT -7)
Ugh. The double whammy. As if CD isn't enough.

You can get radiation burns anywhere from tip to tail and it's pretty likely to happen in the intestine for those of us already blessed with a dysfunctional colon. You may also get chemo induced colitis. Your treatment team may recommend a diversion/ostomy to prevent the added damage to your colon. There's really not much else to be done to stop radiation burns....


You'll likely need to stop Stelara as well So sorry. Let us know how you're doing.
Posted 12/9/2019 10:53 AM (GMT -7)
Vitaka, like the others has said, so sorry to read this new diagnosis. I did dig around in the archives here & found a few old posts, but honestly I don't know if they would benefit you at all. Treatment of breast cancer has changed a lot over the years with newer medications. I do hope that your gi is going to be working with your drs on this, he/she needs to be in the arena too.

Keep us posted on what you find out. Take care.
Posted 12/18/2019 7:46 PM (GMT -7)
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I hope you are able to find the best treatment option and be on the road to recovery soon!
Posted 12/26/2019 5:43 PM (GMT -7)
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I had cancer (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) in 2014 and the chemo put my CD in to remission for almost 3 years. I would make sure your GI doctor and oncologist discuss how to best manage and treat both diseases. We all worked as a team to make the best decisions about my care.

All the best!
Posted 2/10/2020 2:22 PM (GMT -7)
Hi all,

Just wanted to share a quick update. I had surgery (lumpectomy) last month to remove the tumor plus five lymph nodes, one of which was positive. I'm still waiting to finalize my treatment plan but it'll most likely be chemo then radiation then hormone therapy (tamoxifen) for 10 years.

Out of an abundance of caution, my GI decided to stop treatment until I complete chemo + radiation. So I've been off Crohn's meds for the first time in years. It's been a bit rough so far but here's hoping nothing major goes wrong. I think I have enough on my plate already.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply