Leukaemia & Medicals

[Zakk]

Hi all,

this is my first post so here goes...

Im currently 15 years old and im doing a PPL at RAF Cosford, UK

however,

i am also having treatment (chemotherapy) for Acute Lymphobastic Leukaemia, its all going well and i am scheduled to finish it this coming june/ july.

would there be any issues regarding a medical?

thanks,

Zakk

[gingernut]

Hi Zak,

I'm sure this was discussed on this forum before, but I can't find anything on a search.

I seem to remember that the advice was positive, but it may be worth having a chat with the CAA medical department, who should be able to give you a definative answer.

Good luck.

I have just done a search as well. I will check out the Forum's archival threads, see what I can find. Hawk.

[Say again s l o w l y]

Good luck with the treatment. I've been having chemo for Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and I shouldn't have any real issue getting my class 1 back.

Give the CAA medical department a ring on 01293 573700, they are really very helpful.

All the best and as already said, good luck!

[Zakk]

thanks for the advice guys,

ill give the CAA a call later

[C172 Hawk XP]

Look here :
http://www.jaa.nl/licensing/manual_2...GY%20Amdt5.pdf

You will be interested in section # 6, on page 4.

I guess you will NOT be so very happy to see that it says, in 6.1.a

Applicants with the diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukaemia as an adult shall be assessed as unfit. Applicants with a medical history of acute lymphocytic leukaemia in childhood may be assessed as fit if they are in complete remission and without treatment for at least ten years

Advice to contact CAA Med Dept with full details is still good advice.

Best of luck, anyway !

[Say again s l o w l y]

Hmm, that document is confusing me somewhat. According to it, someone with hodgkins or non-hodgkins is disqualified for upto 5 years, but that isn't what our friendly medical bods at the CAA told me, or the experience of people I know who have had either disease.

6.2 Lymphomas
a Hodgkin’s disease
Applicants with active Hodgkin’s disease or individuals undergoing therapy should not be [assessed as fit]. Persons with Stage I and II-A who have had no evidence of disease for two years after completion of treatment may be [assessed as fit].
Persons with Stage II-B through IV-B should be free of disease and therapy for at least five years before [they may be considered for a fit assessment] and they should be [reassessed] every six months for ten years. After ten years there should be annual [reassessments].
b Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Well differentiated and poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma, mixed lymphocytic lymphoma and histiocytic lymphoma of either the nodular or diffuse type, are usually disqualifying. Persons with B-cell, diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, particularly in the early stages, may be cured by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. If they are free of disease without therapy for at least three years they may be [assessed as fit] with [re-assessment] every three months for three years and then every six months. Persons with T-cell, diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, including immunoblastic lymphoma and T-cell lymphoblastic sarcoma, should not be [assessed as fit] because of the high degree of malignancy of these disorders and their unpredictability. Cases of Burkitt's lymphoma are usually disqualifying, but may be [assessed as fit] at the discretion of the AMS.

I had large B-cell Lymphoma mainly and a tiny bit of Hodgkins.
I think a phonecall to Aviation House might be in order tomorrow.

[Say again s l o w l y]

Well that's as clear as mud. Having spoken to the CAA this morning, it seems that the JAA document is irrelevant in their eyes!

Whilst they couldn't give me a direct figure as they haven't had my Consultants report yet, 3 years away from flying would be highly unlikely despite what that document says. I may get an OML restriction, but that's about it.

So as per usual, if you have a problem, get in direct touch with the CAA as there are so many variables.

[stansdead]

Hi, I'm an SFO with Virgin Atlantic.

Earlier this year, I was acutely unwell on a trip and hospitalised.

It turns out that I had a very VERY rare form of Leukaemia, called Chronic Eosinophilic Leukaemia. It is similar to Myeloid Leukaemia, in that it proliferates out of my bone marrow.

I am being treated with a targeted therapeutic called IMATINIB (Glivec) and my blood counts rapidly normalised. I am now in complete Haematological, Cytogenic and Molecular remission. Hopefully, the future looks bright.... and long.

Anyhow, what I would say is that the CAA are very practical when it comes to these matters now. They completely deferred to my Specialists as to whether I could fly again or not. And I can.

Get your Consultants views on whether it will affect you or not in terms of flying, and try and get as many senior Consultants behind you as possible to support your application for a flying licence.

But, Zakk, from what I know, ALL is one of the most CURABLE Leukaemias there is. You stand an excellent chance of recovering from this and having a rewarding career. NEVER GIVE UP.

[Zakk]

Thanks for the advice,

Im gald you in remission now

oh,

and
as you said

ILL NEVER GIVE UP

[Romeo India Xray]

C172 Hawk XP

Not sure if you have lifeted that quote from an old ammendment. The following is up to date - additional info from JAR-FCL3

(e) Applicants with acute leukaemia shall be
assessed as unfit. After established remission,

[
][applicants] may be [ ][assessed as fit] by the
AMS. [ ][Applicants] with chronic leukaemias
shall be assessed as unfit. [ ][After a period of
demonstrated stability a fit assessment may be
considered by the AMS. See] paragraph 3

Appendix 5 to Subpart B.