hello to all, lurked around the site for a while gathering info before joining, just finished 5 weeks radiation, 2 weeks ago, survived it quite well, just some swallowing issues but kept eating throughout, lost 10 lbs. gained 5 back already. waiting for pet scan in mid sept. to see if im clear. cancer scc, bot primary, p-16, t2n2. started cetuximab in the beginning, loading dose + second dose, but the rash on my face got out of control so i had to stop the chemo. i still have a slight rash 6 weeks later and i only had two doses! so i guess my first question is, has anyone had the cetuximab rash linger this long? im getting concerned it might not go away.thanks

Hi rdb, and congratulations on being through radiation and chemo. I don't have any experience with the cetuximab rash but you'll no doubt hear from others here who do. I hope it clears up soon from you, and rooting for an all-clear for you in September.

Lynn

Welcome, rdb, I had Erbitux last October, and the rash started my 2nd dose, and lasted for a few weeks after completion, but not on my face as much, but lingered on top of my head, arms, legs. I felt an itch ball with the dry skin too. Did they give you Minocycline 500mg 3x a day? I took a few days, and my light rash on the face went away, which looked funny cause it was right on the tip of my nose lol. After that was gone, I stopped taking the meds, which I probably should not have.

Seems to be a reduction of treatment theses days with HPV positive in the oropharynx. I had 70Gy my first time.

Good luck with your PET scan.

yup got the minocycline plus some mixed cream, it seemed to tame it down a bit but not enough to continue with the cetuximab, they explained that the bad rash can mean the drug is working so hopefully i benefited from the loading dose and the second dose.i came back after the weekend and the rash was so bad it freaked out a few of the nurses at the cancer agency, the docs were worried it might jeopardize the radiation treatment which was more important than the chemo. so i think the right call was made.just hope it will resolve with time, but if i end up cancer free in sept. heck i will gladly keep the rash!!!!

I had Taxotere with the Erbitux, but the Taxotere was cut out by the 3rd week due to worsening my neuropathy, which I already had. They do that for best reasons not to jeopardize the radiation or other chemo. The rash could have gotten infectious, septic if not stopped. Anyway, the radiation completion is more important, the real curative. The rash will go away.

From what I have learned about the Erbitux, the worse the rash the better it works. Ask your doc for a cream to help you get rid of the rash. Ive heard it can be quite uncomfortable.

Hi there... I've heard the same about the rash. How many did you miss?

welcome!!! ;o)

thanks for the welcome, i guess i missed 4 doses, i also researched the side effects further and found out if you are male (which i am) under 70 years old (which i am, im 53) and fair skinned (which i am) the rash can be worse for these people, so who knows? also got told for my condition the added chemo would only benefit 1 in 10 people,not really game changing odds, but i still went for it as i was trying to do everything i could to up the odds in my favor...

My husband's continued for a few weeks after the treatment ended. Sorry it is being difficult for you, but it certainly sounds like it is doing something. Bests wishes on the itches!
Maria

I want to add my welcome and good luck in sept.