| | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 3 | I just started Erbitux along with chemo (Carboplatin) and radiation 2 days ago. I am already seeing redness on my cheeks and neck. This is my second round of chemo and radiation (I didn't have Erbitux the first time)and I didn't see any redness until the last week of treatment. I've read about Erbitux and the horrible rash you can get and I'm worried. Has anyone else had Erbitux? If so, what was your experience?
Surgery:10/09 removed tumor rt floor of mouth/mandible,4 molars,rt neck dissection removed lymph nodes; reconstruct:flap lft forearm,skin graft lft thigh. Chemo-cysplatin/radiation.
Surgery:04/10 lft neck dissection removed tumor,muscle,jugular vein,lymph nodes.Chemo(Carboplatin),Erbitux/radiation.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Get some Eucerin and some Aquaphor and use it a few times a day. I had the Erbitux and Rads. My skin even seeped a redish foul looking liquid, but 2 weeks after the treatments ended or less, my skin was clear.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I also had pure aloe my Dr gave me to use. Don't know how I forgot that. Must be old age time. LOL
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Dwillson I just read your other post and you have a great attitude plus an inspirational life story. wow, third time must be hard, I know the second time floored me harder than anything ever. Erbitux rash is supposed to have a connection between intensity and efficacy. In other words, the worse the rash, the better it is doing. My RO thought I would never have the cancer come back as my reaction to Erbitux was the worst they have seen out of all the patients in my CCC. The key is to stay ahead of the skin damage. Lotions like aloe are fine at first, but start asking now for prescription speciality cremes like "SAF-Gel" or any variation of a "hydrating dermal wound dressing with alginate". Unfortunately, I just stuck with aloe too long and ended up needing that fake burn skin, Vigilon. And don't forget, that I was a worst case scenario. Lots of posters here have had Erbitux and just normal rashes. Just monitor it daily and don't be afraid to speak up and ask for help. It was a Radiation Oncology nurse that finally helped us - she had seen so many Erbitux rashes that ended up with what she called "wooden soldier neck" - too painful to move the neck until she started getting the doctors to prescribe Saf-gel and Vigilon. You should be just fine if you stay on top of it. Good luck Charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 75 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 75 | My dad had Erbitux and his rash lasted about 2 weeks after he completed radiation. It was not had, looked like acne. I put aquaphor on it and it worked great. Good luck, you will be fine.
Last edited by boston; 07-03-2010 01:13 PM.
Squamous cell / BOT with lymph node involvment, Stage 4, HIV-, cisplatin 3 weeks of 7, stopped due to kidney issues and neuropathy,35 radiation treatment started 5/6/09,started weekly erbitux on 6/2/09. Completed tx on 6/24/09, biopsy 8/11/09 clean, PET Scan 10/5/09 clear, PET Scan 6/11/10 clear
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 5 Member | | Member
Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 5 | Good Day
The Regular Chemo Treatment seems to be out for me due to a pre existing health issue with my immune system. They did mention ERBITU as a stand alone injection. Has anyone used this drug alone with radiation after surgery with positive results or is this drug new to new to have stats?
Regards
Herbert
Sugery June 22 2010 waiting for wounds to heal
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 5 Member | | Member
Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 5 | Hi Dwillson, This is jennifer, the new member of this forum. I am worried about the rash too. My mom (73yrs, cancer on the cheeks and just finished neck dissection removed lymph nodes; reconstruct:flap lft forearm,skin graft lft thigh. The oncology suggested Cisplatin and Radia, but we are afraid of side effect, such as hearing loss (she saw double vision due to other problem, so hearing is only thing for her now) and others. so we decide to go with Erbitux + Radia instead. I am not sure if she can tolarence the rash now after the surgery (done six weeks ago). How the rash done to the surgery side, such as neck. Thanks. ( | | |
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