ATM and Chemotherapy

[PRatcliff]

I have a friend recently diagnosed with Acute Transverse Myelitis. As I understand ATM, this is not a disease but a syndrome which can be idiopathic or be caused by a virus, inoculation, etc. In other words, there are a number of possible causes.

I've found, while researching online, that there are several people who state that they were diagnosed with ATM some time after chemotherapy. Is there any current information/research studying the possible connection between chemotherapy and ATM? Is there any information about ATM as a late effect of chemotherapy?

FYI, my friend was treated last year for breast cancer, receiving both localized radiation and chemotherapy.

Thank you

[lynnifer]

I was stricken with TM twenty years ago. It left me a complete paraplegic and in a wheelchair.

As I understand it, the concensus is an auto-immune like disorder. I wonder if it's possible her immune system was so compromised from the chemo?

I was taking Prednisone at age 12 for severe allergies, which also lowered my immune system, and I believe led to my current predicament.

[Sue Pendleton]

PR, was your friend diagnosed by results of tests such as lumbar punture, blood work ups, MRI, etc? Or is it idiopathic? I have met several people paralyzed by radiation therapy near or to the spine and most recovered maybe 90% of previous strength and sensation. While I haven't heard of chemo causing ATM there are others who might have. Try asking at:

www.myelitis.org/

Has the American Cancer Society or National Cancer Institute said anything about the two being related? I would be very interested in hearing if they had.