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Can Psoriasis Cause Elevation In CLL Levels?

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Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016
Question: I have CLL and my latest lab tests show an absolute Lymphocytes count of 7611 and I have an advancing case of poriasis (sp). Is the phoriasis in any way related to the CLL or did the Rituxin treatments that I took for several years have contributed to it and would an immune supressant (sp) drug for the skin disorder have an adverse effect on the CLL condition?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
no connection with either

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

your CLL seems to be a mild one at this time since your lymphocytes count is so low. Psoriasis is not related to CLL or the drug. Rituxin has no adverse effect on CLL (the side effects excluded of course) and is actually also used for the treatment of CLL!

I hope it helps!
Please contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (6 hours later)
I have had chemo when my white count hit 158000 and platlets were dangerously low.
The follow up was with the targeting agent, Rituxin. Several years later as the count climbed once again to 35000, I took Rituxin infulsions every 3 months for two years. When the psoriasis first appeared, the oncologist stopped the Rituxin mantenance treatment. The psoriasis has sense spread over both hands completely, up over my elbows, on my feet, and has left psoriasis scars on my calves and ankles. It continues to progress. There are immune suppresant drugs that are given as one form of treatment. My question.....will these suppresant drugs ( such as Embrol)(sp) exasperate my CLL or make future treatment with Rituxin less effective. I respond so well to it....and I would not want to go back to chemo. but the psoriasis is becoming unbearable.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
no problem foreseen

Detailed Answer:
I don't understand why the oncologist stopped rituximab since there is no connection to psoriasis (or does the oncologist believe that there is?).

Regarding future treatment issues for psoriasis with enbrel, I don't foresee any. I can't say the same with CLL though but perhaps the oncologist should be asked for that. Enbrel may cause various problems including some hematologic ones. Patients treated with enbrel have a higher risk for lymphomas and leukemias.

Perhaps you should discuss about rituximab with the oncologist. Perhaps the drug was stopped because of side effects?

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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Can Psoriasis Cause Elevation In CLL Levels?

Brief Answer: no connection with either Detailed Answer: Hello, your CLL seems to be a mild one at this time since your lymphocytes count is so low. Psoriasis is not related to CLL or the drug. Rituxin has no adverse effect on CLL (the side effects excluded of course) and is actually also used for the treatment of CLL! I hope it helps! Please contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!