CancerCompass message board discussion started by Worried Daughter on 10/14/2006 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,7270,0.htm Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I am worried sick about my Dad. He started taking topical Efudex/5FU on September 29, 2006. 9 days later he ended up in the hospital due to complaints of shortness of breath and weakness. They discovered that his WBC's, Hbg, Hct and platelets were all dangerously low. The Doctors said that he was very close to his body completely shutting down. He was sent to Hershey Medical Center for further evaluation. Since then they have found that his bone marrow is aplastic and are thinking that he has a rare blood disease called Aplastic Anemia. I have been doing a ton of research on the internet on side effects and causes and have discovered this potential link to DPD enzyme deficiency and the use of Efudex/5FU. The Dermatologist that prescribed the drug told him it was a 1 in a million chance that this would happen to him. However, I am finding it to be more common than that number. Can anyone give me more accurate information on that statistic? I found that 1 in 100 people has the genetic mutation. Also, is there anyone out there that had a similiar occurance with the topical cream or a family member that had a similiar situation? I am clinging to hope that this is the cause and am looking for any advice. Thank you Worried Daughter Sat, 14 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT I hope your father is improving. I was not pre-tested before treatment and while I did not experience such sideeeffects as your dad, I did have problems whcih were not taken seriously by my physician. I had intense headaaches, cancer sores, sensitivity to light and extreme eye pain in addition to the side effect give in the Carac brochure ( similar drug to your father's). When I reported the side effect to my dermatologist his answer was "I never heard of it". I was astounded that a profession was so ignorant. Please tell me if your father had any of the specific side effects as myself. I contacted my pharmacist and was advised the problems I was experiencing were sufficent to discontinue use. In a few days I went to my family doctor who advised my skin was damaged and the treatment should be stopped immediately. As a result, however, of the 3 weeks of treatment I now have permanent damage ( broken cappilaries) where there was no damage before. Thank you. Good luck to yourfather and yourself. Mollyb Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT