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New Diagnosis – 27 years post primary – 4×4 tumor in liver
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New Diagnosis – 27 years post primary – 4×4 tumor in liver

› Forums › Ocular Melanoma Community › New Diagnosis – 27 years post primary – 4×4 tumor in liver

  • Post
    • October 24, 2017 at 11:44 pm
    JerLon
    Participant

      My Father-In-Law has recently been diagnosed as Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma (I am sure I will have some phrases or language usage wrong).  

      Age:62

      Male

      Symptoms: Abdominal Pain (began in June 2017), Weight Loss, Loss of Appetite

      Primary: Uveal Melanoma 27 years ago (1990), lost left eye.  Blood tests annually since with no symptoms until June of 2017

      Pathology Report: (Here are some of the details from path report) Metastatic Melanoma, The biopsy shows a nodule of densly packed malignant cells, some with cytoplasmic pigment and a largele spindled morpholy.  In stains… the tumor cells are mositive for Melan-A and HMB-25 with weak S100 staining.  The are negative for desmin, CD 117, pancytokeratin and CD34.  

      At appointment at oncologist, it was mentioned that the tumor is 4×4.  Oncologist indicated care plan is Nivolumad and Ipilimumad every 3 weeks for four cycles followed by Nivolumad every 2 weeks for a long time.  There was some discussion of clinical trials based on the outcome of scans in the coming weeks with therapy starting in 2-3 weeks.

       

      I am researching like crazy but figured this community might have some thoughts on where we are actually at and any advice on how to proceed.  Thanks for any input.

       

       

       

       

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    • Replies
        • October 25, 2017 at 1:20 am
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Hopefully this will help introduce you to the treatment options regarding your current situation:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/08/melanoma-intel-primer-for-current.html

          Ask additional questions as you need.  This forum has many knowledgeable and caring folk.  I wish you well.  Celeste

            • October 25, 2017 at 3:40 pm
            JerLon
            Participant

              Thank you, this was very helpful.

            • October 25, 2017 at 1:58 pm
            MovingOn
            Participant

              JerLon, I saw your question over on Boggleheads about financial planning regarding a cancer diagnosis. In my opinion, Melanoma.org discussions are mostly focused on the latest medical advancements for melanoma treatment as well as sharing individual experiences which may be helpful to others, however, there are people on here who can be helpful with identifying where to look for financial aspects of the treatment. You may also want to check American Cancer Society’s Survivor Forum. They tend to be more general to cancer diagnosis and therefore discuss more lifestyle, family concerns, and financial aspects which all cancer patients experience.

              Definitely ask about clinical trials available for immunotherapies after a treatment plan has been discussed (don’t limit yourself to only clinical trials but definitely ask about them. 

              Separately I’m wondering if your FIL has a final diagnosis or if it is possible the 4×4 is something else (hopefully something benign)?

                • October 25, 2017 at 3:40 pm
                JerLon
                Participant

                  What would indicate a "final" diagnosis?  I am, by no means, an expert on this and am trying to research for family.  

                   

                  • October 25, 2017 at 3:57 pm
                  MovingOn
                  Participant

                    I re-read the pathology details you provided and I had missed it previously. That is the final diagnosis.

                  • October 25, 2017 at 4:42 pm
                  JerLon
                  Participant

                    Someone on another forum mentioned eligibility for SSI Disability.  I know my in-laws are extremely concerned about income during this time.  Is that an option for Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma?

                      • October 31, 2017 at 7:59 pm
                      melanomafighter
                      Participant

                        I am sorry to hear this for you and your family after 27 years!  I had a friend I met with Melanoma that decided not to go back to work when I did and she filed for SSI fast track program and was approved right away.  I believer a Stage 3 or higher has that ability to be approved quickly but I am not positive.

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