cancer risk - Immune Disorders Message Board

wendyk33 · 04-09-2004, 11:24 AM

Does anyone know if someone with an immune deficiency has an increased cancer risk. I have been very worried about this and need to put my mind to rest. The drs thought my son had cancer in June and did a bone marrow test and it was negative but now I am scared he will get it. He has geneticly low c4 level. 0.05 is his level and the normal is 1.9-3.9.

wendy

Aston · 04-24-2004, 12:47 PM

My daughter has an immune system problem too, i get worried too, but i try & give her good vitamin & mineral supplements, garlic & extra c, with no meds & she is a lot healthier than other children with her condition who are on meds. Just try & build up his immune system & im sure he will be fine.

catbirdpondlady · 04-25-2004, 09:28 AM

I have a couple of thoughts that I would like to share.
1. There are varying degrees and varying types of immune deficiencies. Treatment is based on both. Some are managed well with supplements and healthy life style. This is true for both children and adults. However, there are some severe and more complicated cases that need pharmacological intervention (meds prescribed by the doc). By all means, consider all of the treatments available. Become as educated as you can about your child's health problems. Ask questions of the doc......there are no stupid questions. Health and life are at risk here. Contact the Immune Deficiency Foundation's web site at [url]www.*************.org[/url] for current and up to date information.
2. Some cancers are linked to immune problems, but not usually in the way that you are thinking. I have never heard of a child having this type of problem unless he has AIDS. In any case, the cancer comes first and the immune problem is secondary. I'm sure that's the reason that a bone marrow was checked was to rule out cancer as a primary cause for his altered blood count. I had the same thing done.
The disease that my husband has, CIDP, is immune related, and often times is cancer related. But my CVIDS and MS (which are both immune related) are not cancer related.
I believe that there is some key thinking that helps me through all of this: It is important to be knowledgeable and vigilant. It is prudent to take care of problems as they arise. We are only given a certain amount of energy. I can choose to use this energy worrying about things that I have very little or no control over (Am I going to get an infection tomorrow? What if my husband developes a horrible cancer? etc.) That thinking leaves me stressed and worn out, which in turn opens the door for real problems with my health. OR, I can choose to focus my energy on things that make me feel happy, useful, fulfilled, etc. It would be a sad thing, if at the end of my time here on earth, I had not used my energy (what little bit I have) positively.
Love, Penny

wendyk33 · 04-26-2004, 11:22 AM

Penny,
I agree with the fact that you can't dwell on a problem or it will wear you out. Luke got sick last May, when he was 16 months old, and the drs didn't know what the problem was. They thought it was cancer because he had so many symptoms, pancytopenia, enlarged liver and spleen, fluid around the heard, lungs and in the abdomen, fever, rash, swelling, unable to walk or sit for 10 days due to pain, etc. When the test came back negative they treated him for Kawaski disease for lack of any better ideas and the treatment worked and from that time until Feb they have been trying to find out what the problem was. Finally in Feb we comfirmed a genetic C4 deficiency. But the worry from that time until now was hard to deal with. When you know what is wrong it is easier deal with and understand.

We also have an 11 year old born with hirschsrpungs disease so we are no stranger to worry. Life is much easier when you look at the bright side. Thanks for the information. Take care.

Wendy

Thanks Aston for your input. I will try the extra vitamins.

catbirdpondlady · 04-26-2004, 12:22 PM

My heart goes out to you.........you certainly have your hands full! Both your children are fortunate to have a mom like you who loves them so much! Keep me posted re: how all of you are doing.
Love, Penny