Duration of Raynaud’s after Bleomycin

Bleomycin is basically an antibiotic which is obtained from cultures of the bacterium streptomyces verticillus and is utilized in the form of its sulfate for treating various neoplasms.

Bleomycin kills cancer cells by destroying the genetic material known as DNA, thus preventing cells from repairing themselves. Bleomycin is used for treating many different cancers, comprising cancer of the neck and head, esophagus, skin, testis, lung, vulva, penis, genitourinary and cervix tract. Furthermore, it is used for treating Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.

Lung problems are a severe side effect affecting many patients who receive bleomycin. Other side effects of bleomycin may consist of problems of skin and change of skin color, allergic reactions, hair and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Additionally, nausea and vomiting and headache may also occur. Patients who have testicular tumors and receive numerous chemotherapy agents consisting of bleomycin may develop cardiovascular disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Raynaud’s disease is basically a condition which affects the supply of blood to the toes, fingers and sometimes to the ears and nose. It can be classified as one of the two types: primary or idiopathic and secondary which is also called as Raynaud’s phenomenon.

The causes of primary and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon are not yet known. Abnormal nerve control of the blood vessel diameter as well as nerve sensitivity to cold exposure has been found out to be the contributing factors. The characteristic changes in color of the digits are in part associated with initial blood vessel narrowing because of spasm of the tiny muscles in the wall of the vessels, pursued by sudden opening, as explained above. The small arteries of the digits can possess microscopic thickness of their inner lining, which also causes abnormal constricting of the blood vessels.

Symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon depend on the severity, duration and frequency of the blood vessel spasm. Majority of patients with mild disease only find skin discoloration on exposure to cold. They may also suffer through numbness and mild tingling of the involved digits which will appear after the color gets back to normal. When the spasms of blood-vessel turns out to be more sustained, the sensory nerves become annoyed due to lack of oxygen and can lead to pain in the involved digits. Occasionally, poor supply of oxygen to the tissue can lead to the tips of the digits to ulcerate.

Less common areas of the body which can be affected by Raynaud’s phenomenon consist of the nose, tongue and ears. While these areas hardly ever develop ulcers and they can be related to a sensation of pain and numbness. Patients with secondary RP can also experience symptoms associated with their underlying disease.

Thus, for avoiding Raynaud’s phenomenon to take place in your body, avoid taking antibiotic such as bleomycin.