Addisons disease

Hello Nickmine,

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Megan, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

Welcome back to the online community. I can see you are part of the ‘Melanoma forum’ and ‘Skin cancer forum’ and I do hope you have previously found these platforms warm and supportive.

Although stated as a rare side effect, meaning a reported side effect in less than 1 in every 100 (less than 1%), Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can cause damage to the adrenal gland which can cause a drop in the level of certain hormones such as cortisol, leading to Addison’s disease.

I was sorry to read that this may have been the case for you.

I have included general information on Addison’s disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, including how it is treated, that I hope you will find useful in reading.

As explained it is treated with medications and is only dangerous if it is left untreated and your body experiences an adrenal crisis.

As we are a charity and do not have access to healthcare records, we would always encourage you to speak with your hospital team about what this will mean for you and how this will be managed.

If it is a confirmed diagnosis your clinical team should also pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS).

I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Best wishes, Megan

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

Ref MD/VG