Switching CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) for Sirolimus (rapamycin)?

Posted by hello1234 @hello1234, Oct 14, 2025

Hi Transplant Family!
I am celebrating my FIVE year kidney transplant anniversary. Everything is going great except all of the sudden I am now dealing with lots of MOHS surgeries on my scalp and face for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell. My doctors are discussing swapping my Cellcept for Sirolimus (Rapamycin). I wanted to see if anyone in our community is successfully dealing with these types of skin cancers and also if anyone switched to Sirolimus (or Rapamycin) and what was your experience with the switch. It makes me nervous to switch immune suppression meds since my kidney transplant is nice and stable. Please let me know your thoughts and any experience you may have with these skin cancers and possibly switching to Sirolimus or Rapamycin. Thank you so much everyone!

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Profile picture for hello1234 @hello1234

@charliesilberman
Wow, you have really done it all! I received my kidney transplant five years ago and in the last year the skin cancer problem has really fired up. How long have you had your transplant? I am on Cellcept and Envarsus XR.
Did you find that one type of treatment was more effective than another in keeping things under control? I was thinking of trying the blue light?
How often do you go the dermatologist for check ups?
I have discovered that my dermatologist can not find the squamous. I find them by the way the feel.
Is your dermatologist able to find the squamous or do you find the problem areas yourself by the way they feel?
Thank you for sharing your experiences. It's very helpful to meet someone going through a similar issue with immune suppression meds.

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@hello1234 we have similarities. I had a kidney transplant. I inherited pkd from my dad's side. What caused your kidneys to quit? I was transplanted 16 years ago. Around year 5 the cancers began. When I suspect skin cancer I make an appointment with my derm. She does the biopsies and if necessary mohs surgery. There are preventative measures but no effective treatment. Because of the immunosuppressants we are at a high risk for reoccurrence.

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Profile picture for charliesilberman @charliesilberman

@hello1234 we have similarities. I had a kidney transplant. I inherited pkd from my dad's side. What caused your kidneys to quit? I was transplanted 16 years ago. Around year 5 the cancers began. When I suspect skin cancer I make an appointment with my derm. She does the biopsies and if necessary mohs surgery. There are preventative measures but no effective treatment. Because of the immunosuppressants we are at a high risk for reoccurrence.

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@charliesilberman
I am so happy to hear that you are on your 16th kidney transplant anniversary. How wonderful! I received a deceased donor kidney and I pray that my kidney has a nice long life like yours. 👍
Other than the skin cancers, have you experienced any other challenges or are things pretty much smooth sailing?
I needed my transplant because of childhood nephritis (most likely caused by a childhood illness that ended up in the kidney).
Are you enjoying the cooler weather in sunny Miami. Florida is having delicious weather!

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Profile picture for rachel5239 @rachel5239

@hello1234 I have appointments on Dec 8 to see. An oncologist and a couple of other appointments. I hope I get some direction on Tuesday. Thanks for your support.

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@rachel5239
Thinking of you. Hope all of your appointments go well.

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Profile picture for Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya

@rachel5239
Thinking of you. Hope all of your appointments go well.

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@rosemarya my news isn’t good. I have a MRI tomorrow and see the doctors on Friday. I had a PET scan last Friday. The report says I have stage 3 metastatic breast cancer. At 74 i will not do chemo. Not sure if surgery and radiation will help extend my life. I am choosing to be thankful for my 40 bonus years. I have gotten to watch my 7 grandchildren grow up and they are all very special people. I am very proud of all of them! I have also been blest with 4 great grandchildren. I choose to remain thankful. Thanks for checking and for the support!

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Profile picture for rachel5239 @rachel5239

@rosemarya my news isn’t good. I have a MRI tomorrow and see the doctors on Friday. I had a PET scan last Friday. The report says I have stage 3 metastatic breast cancer. At 74 i will not do chemo. Not sure if surgery and radiation will help extend my life. I am choosing to be thankful for my 40 bonus years. I have gotten to watch my 7 grandchildren grow up and they are all very special people. I am very proud of all of them! I have also been blest with 4 great grandchildren. I choose to remain thankful. Thanks for checking and for the support!

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@rachel5239
Oh, Dear Rachel, I was aware that you were going to be undergoing some tests, but had no idea that you had already had a PET scan on Friday with this result. I will be thinking of you this and feel confident that the doctors will provide the information and guidance that you need. As a transplant recipient, this does carry additional concern for all of us.
I'm sending hugs and whispering prayers.

Will your Mayo MN liver transplant team be involved in your upcoming breast cancer follow-up?

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Profile picture for Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya

@rachel5239
Oh, Dear Rachel, I was aware that you were going to be undergoing some tests, but had no idea that you had already had a PET scan on Friday with this result. I will be thinking of you this and feel confident that the doctors will provide the information and guidance that you need. As a transplant recipient, this does carry additional concern for all of us.
I'm sending hugs and whispering prayers.

Will your Mayo MN liver transplant team be involved in your upcoming breast cancer follow-up?

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@rosemarya yes my transplant team is involved. I see an oncologist and I also have an appointment with the radiation department. I will not do chemo but if they think surgery and radiation will help, I might be willing to do that.

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I have been on some of these drugs since I was 16 years old. I am now 74. If this was caused from my transplant and the drugs, which I am not sure about, it has taken a very very long time. Just keep getting your monograms. God's blessings on your transplant journey.

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Profile picture for rachel5239 @rachel5239

I have been on some of these drugs since I was 16 years old. I am now 74. If this was caused from my transplant and the drugs, which I am not sure about, it has taken a very very long time. Just keep getting your monograms. God's blessings on your transplant journey.

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@rachel5239
My transplant team has been very direct in making sure that I stay up-to-date on all health screenings and treatments. Also they provide guidance on the imunizations that I should get.

My friends say that they are jealous of the idividualized care that I get! I am 2 years older than you and have 1 granddaughter, and I do feel blessed every day. Thank you.

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Profile picture for Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya

@rachel5239
My transplant team has been very direct in making sure that I stay up-to-date on all health screenings and treatments. Also they provide guidance on the imunizations that I should get.

My friends say that they are jealous of the idividualized care that I get! I am 2 years older than you and have 1 granddaughter, and I do feel blessed every day. Thank you.

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@rosemarya I really like and appreciate all of my doctors at Mayo. They show concern and always answer any questions you may have. They always make sure I am up to date on all of my vaccines. I know there a lot of people that no longer believe in science. I believe my doctors would never suggest I get something that could possibly harm me.

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Profile picture for rachel5239 @rachel5239

@rosemarya I really like and appreciate all of my doctors at Mayo. They show concern and always answer any questions you may have. They always make sure I am up to date on all of my vaccines. I know there a lot of people that no longer believe in science. I believe my doctors would never suggest I get something that could possibly harm me.

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@rachel5239 I just caught up on my messages and saw this update. I understand your no chemo decision, but I am also very hopeful that surgery and/or radiation may be helpful. Have you discussed these options yet or is that conversation scheduled with a different doctor at a future appointment? Sending love your way ❤️

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