Biologics for crohnes disease
I have been on vedolizimub for 3 years. One of the side effects apart from liver and kidney problems is squamous cell cancer,-. skin cancer. I was diagnosed with skin cancer a year ago and have told all my doctors who take no notice when I mention could it be my biologics, my dermatologist says she must see me every 6 months because I am on biologics even though I have had it removed, even the "Crohnes and Colitis" society who are the big deal for us in the UK, took no notice, but on a lot of web sites , it mentions it is a possible side effect. Having said that my crohnes is much improved. So it's a worry !!
Hi
. Your concerns are certainly understandable. I have seen articles citing research finding an increased risk of skin cancer with Enyvio (see: https://www.verywellhealth.com/ibd-and-risk-of-skin-cancer-4062681). This article notes, much like you did, that the cancer risk "needs to be compared against the risk of letting inflammation from IBD go unchecked and cause serious complications both in the intestines and outside the intestines. Talk to your gastroenterologist about your overall risks and how to put everything in perspective. A dermatologist can also help and give suggestions on how to avoid sun exposure and how to determine your individual risk." Hopefully your doctors will take your concerns seriously, as you deserve to be heard. Best, Richard (Team Member) hi Richard, thanks for your reply.. my gastroenterologist said the risks of getting skin cancer on biologics is no greater than the risk for people not on biologics or with IBD which I didn't actually believe, the dermatologist said the squamous cell cancer - in my leg was probably caused by sunburn as a child which I doubted cos I am now 74 and it only appeared last year so that didn't quite make sense. Here's a question do you know anything about Bio - kult my friend who has motor neurone disease has just been prescribed it from the hospital and I read the packet and thought it would be good for me to use. I don't know who to ask for advice. I live in the UK and no one is much help to be honest. Thank you. SopiaMay Hi
. Your frustration with not feeling heard is certainly understandable. There is research finding that sun exposure as child increases likelihood of skin cancer. This article notes "Studies indicate that excessive sun exposure during the first 10-20 years of life greatly increases the risk of skin cancer:" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1764876. Also, I want to provide the research article cited in the link I previously provided: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(15)00299-2/abstract and this other one on biologics and skin cancer: https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/home/topics/skin-cancer/immunosuppressant-biologic-medication-use-may-increase-skin-cancer-risk/.
Concerning the Bio-Kult, I can't personally speak to this product, but I want to share with you this article from our editorial team on probiotics and prebiotics: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/treatment/complementary-and-alternative-therapies/probiotics. You may want to post a separate Forum question on Bio-Kult and probiotics to get more community feedback. Best, Richard (Team Member)
