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Looking For Recommended Treatment Options. Lived In House Contaminated With

Posted on Thu, 2 Jul 2020

Question: Looking for recommended treatment options. Lived in house contaminated with chlordane termite treatment for 15 years, unknown to us. (Once treated chemical stays, off-gassing for 30-50 years). Later confirmed with testing. Exposure 10-40 times "safe" levels. Causes liver cancer, blood cancers, other cancers and now called probable human carcinogen. Now, I have 2 large liver cysts, and gall bladder polyp, 5 mm in posterior wall of gall bladder shown by ultrasound. Recently tested for blood cancers and none so far. Pressure and slight pain around liver into the back. What to do now? Remove gall bladder, test polyp for malignancy, hope for the best ? GB and liver cancer both deadly, studies in animals showed chemical causes liver cancer and blood cancers, lymphoma, now what ?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
May be observed

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

I understand your concerns. Chlordane is considered a potential carcinogen in humans. In animals, chronic exposure leads to liver cancers and blood disorders including cancers. But evidence in human is equivocal. Hence it's not a confirmed carcinogen in human.

Now, in your case, liver cysts are harmless. They are present in many, and are incidental findings. They don't turn into cancer. Gall bladder polyp can also be observed in my opinion. Just because of chlordane exposure we shouldn't hurry and remove it. I guess you need just surveillance periodically by imaging for liver and gallbladder, and blood counts too.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (7 hours later)

What other tests recommended now. Currently sick from something. Negative for lyme and polycythemia vera (PV), and hematologist says no blood cancers, which I presume means lymphomas, leukemia, PV not evident. What other tests seem reasonable. My current symptoms: malaise, night sweats, lack energy, weak, low appetite, dizziness, concentrated urine (1.25), no thirst, purple angiomas showing up skin, 5 years ago lupus diagnosis but not taking meds. Am I just hypochondriac? Any other meds, or tests recommended ? Patholgens? Rocky mountain fever, ticks bugs everywhere here. Feel listless, half dead.

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need to assess lupus activity

Detailed Answer:
Lupus can explain lot of your symptoms. Has it been assessed recently? Is there any weight loss?

I don't have access to your full blood work but I assume they are fine as you have already consulted an hematologist. So if these symptoms are persistent, a PET CT scan may be done which can rule out occult malignancy or infections.

If blood work and PET both normal then only can think of hypochondriac.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (6 hours later)

Not assessed recently. 2017-rheumatologist Dr. assessed and noted I have Bechet's gene, some lupus symptoms. Purple skin spots, mouth sores off and on. No genital sores. Yes, much weight loss, 15 pounds in a month. Little appetite, comes and goes. Little thirst, concentrated urine, eating lots of food-weight stays stable, otherwise losing. Former Dr. had prescribed plaquinil, then later cellcept-I didn't take either. Had positive ANA and XXXXXXX I think, double strand DNA breaks?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I think it's the lupus

Detailed Answer:
All symptoms can more or less be explained by active lupus. Some medications are definitely required.

Please consult your rheumatologist again.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad