Diving and Cancer Question

[zuzanne]

Hubby has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer. Its treatable but not curable. He has been undergoing chemo and radiation theraphy for past 2 years trying to get it into remission. Can he dive with this type of cancer/treatment? He has no other health related problems. His Doctor doesn't have an answer as he is not a diver.

Thanks.
Zuzanne

 

[TonyW388]

I am sorry to hear about your husbands battle with cancer. I hope the doctors can get his cancer in remission.

You might get better responses from some of the physicians on scubaboard in the diving medicine forum.

You could also try the non-emergency line to DAN:
DAN Divers Alert Network : Contact DAN

They could put you in contact with a physician with diving knowledge to evaluate your husband.

 

[Diver0001]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

moved to the dive medicine forum

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[cutlass]

This is wve's area. But generally, rad and chemo taxes many body systems which affect exercise capacity, healing ability, and resistance to infection. It's probably best that scuba diving be put aside for now. Even afterwards, there may be lingering side-effects, especially from certain chemo on lung and thence heart function, which could exclude diving for some time. All the best wishes for the both of you....

 

[HBO MD]

Glad to hear that you're still thinking about diving.
In terms of the ramifications of NHL therapy, the questions are related to cardio pulmonary function. In other words, did he undergo radiation therapy to his lungs, or receive chemo which would potentially effect his heart and lungs. If the answer is yes, then there are some tests that can quickly determine his ability to continue to dive.
These include an assessment of lung diffusion capacity ; ie the ability of his lungs to take up oxygen. And he will also require some standard tests such as, lung function to determine any obstruction/restriction, ECG, chest x-ray, and possibly even an echocardiogram to evaluate his underlying heart function. His oncologist should be able to facilitate these.
In the absence of such agents or radiation, he should be OK.
I wish you all the best!
Good luck!

 

[DocVikingo]

In terms of the ramifications of NHL therapy, the questions are related to cardio pulmonary function.

Hi HBO MD,

While the possible adverse affects of radiation and antineoplastic agents upon cardiorespiratory fitness, and more specifically pulmonary function and anatomy, are critical to consider, there are other questions as well.

The ability of an immune system compromised by CA treatment to rise to the challenges of diving in pathogen-laced waters is not a trivial matter. Both bacterial (e.g., Staph, Strep) and protozoal (e.g., Naegleria, Acanthamoeba) infection are a real concern.

Other body systems can be adversely impacted as well and have implications for SCUBA. I'll just quickly mention the effects of chemo on the GI tract, which commonly include diarrhea that can predispose to dehydration.

Then of course there's the weariness, weakness, lack of energy, general malaise, and
trouble thinking/concentrating/remembering that frequently accompany a treatment regimen such as is described by the OP.

As an aside, if lung scarring is suspected, the battery of diagnostic tests should include a high-resolution CAT scan.

Regards,

DocVikingo

Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. Albert Einstein

 

[DocVikingo]

It's probably best that scuba diving be put aside for now. Even afterwards, there may be lingering side-effects, especially from certain chemo on lung and thence heart function, which could exclude diving for some time.

I couldn't agree more.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[HBO MD]

Yes, thanks. I was under the impression that remission had been achieved.