Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
The participation of Dr. Graeme Moyle in this Forum is made possible by Gilead Sciences.
|
|
 |
|
Breast Lump; what will cancer treatment do to my immune system?
Feb 10, 2002
I am a 29 yo HIV-positive female and at my annual physical my MD discovered a lump in my breast. It measureed 4cm x 2cm. Since breast cancer runs in my family, can you tell me, what would happen to my immune system in the worst case senario that I have cancer? Right now I do not take any meds (CD4-1297, VRL-72), but I am concerned about what cancer drugs (radiation/chemotherapy) would do to my immune system. Can you give me any advice on this situation?
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Dezube
The first step, of course, is to have your lump biopsied. Not all lumps are cancerous. If indeed you do have breast cancer, then your treatment would be the exact same as the treatment of a woman who is HIV-negative. In general breast cancer patients with HIV do quite well. The chemotherapy and radiation typically do not affect the viral load. These treatments, however, can cause the CD4 count to go down. Your CD4 count of 1297 is quite robust and should be able to handle the chemotherapy which we give women with breast cancer. Once the course of chemotherapy is completed, the CD4 count should rise, though perhaps not to the pre-treatment level. Good luck. Bruce Dezube (AIDS Cancer Forum)
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
