Anal Melanoma

Jeannine     My husband does not have either the Ckit or BRAF mutation.  He was doing well for 18 months, and on a regularly scheduled scan at Dana Farber in July, they found his lung tumor, and he had his right middle lobe removed.  He is currently NED. Please feel free to e-mail me directly, [email protected] , if you have further questions.  My husband did both radiation and interferon, with our local oncologist in Saratoga NY, and Dr Hodi was aware of his treatments and understood that we needed to do something and it was our personal choice.  While, Phil and you have some unique things in common, mucosal anal melanoma and go to Dana Farber, one thing I have learned is that everyone's journey with melanoma is their own story.  I could relate our experience in further detail through email, if you are interested. 

Finally, just know that I never in a million years would have thought I would be doing okay with my husband having surgery to remove part of his lung and moving to Stage 4, but we are holding our own.  Phil works his job, and helps with our young children, and does all the normal stuff in our day to day lives.  And, for that I am thankful, and I no longer take it for granted!  Enjoy all the little moments and try hard not to obsess about cancer, it does get a little easier as times goes on.  Take Care!  Valerie

Jeannine     My husband does not have either the Ckit or BRAF mutation.  He was doing well for 18 months, and on a regularly scheduled scan at Dana Farber in July, they found his lung tumor, and he had his right middle lobe removed.  He is currently NED. Please feel free to e-mail me directly, [email protected] , if you have further questions.  My husband did both radiation and interferon, with our local oncologist in Saratoga NY, and Dr Hodi was aware of his treatments and understood that we needed to do something and it was our personal choice.  While, Phil and you have some unique things in common, mucosal anal melanoma and go to Dana Farber, one thing I have learned is that everyone's journey with melanoma is their own story.  I could relate our experience in further detail through email, if you are interested. 

Finally, just know that I never in a million years would have thought I would be doing okay with my husband having surgery to remove part of his lung and moving to Stage 4, but we are holding our own.  Phil works his job, and helps with our young children, and does all the normal stuff in our day to day lives.  And, for that I am thankful, and I no longer take it for granted!  Enjoy all the little moments and try hard not to obsess about cancer, it does get a little easier as times goes on.  Take Care!  Valerie

The Motel 6 would't let me log into the MPIP Suday night. 
(Had tire trouble Saturday and only went about 198 miles that day!)  )  Arrived in Colorado Springs Tuesday.   Laura Downs, whose husband died from melanoma in May 2010 came over to visit us.  She is a wonderful compassionate young lady with a delightful 2 year old daughter that is studyig to be an Oncological Nurse to help in the fight against what melanoma is doing to so many of our group.  She was much appreciated by my wife last year when I was in the Denver and Springs hospitals.  She was very helpful and gracious in spite of having just lost her husband and the father that loved his baby girl so much.

  I emailed Jean-9 tonight.  and I understand her name here better now.  My middle daughter whose huse I had the horse accidet at  last year is also named Jeannine!

The Motel 6 would't let me log into the MPIP Suday night. 
(Had tire trouble Saturday and only went about 198 miles that day!)  )  Arrived in Colorado Springs Tuesday.   Laura Downs, whose husband died from melanoma in May 2010 came over to visit us.  She is a wonderful compassionate young lady with a delightful 2 year old daughter that is studyig to be an Oncological Nurse to help in the fight against what melanoma is doing to so many of our group.  She was much appreciated by my wife last year when I was in the Denver and Springs hospitals.  She was very helpful and gracious in spite of having just lost her husband and the father that loved his baby girl so much.

  I emailed Jean-9 tonight.  and I understand her name here better now.  My middle daughter whose huse I had the horse accidet at  last year is also named Jeannine!

Hi Jeannine,

My name is Jackie.  I have been a registered member of this site for quite a while, but I'm pretty sure I've never posted.

As you already know, you are not alone in this journey.  I was diagnosed in 7/08 with anal mucosal melanoma, stage IIIb.  I thought I had a hemorrhoid.  I had an APR (abdominal-peritoneal resection), with colostomy, total hyster, and lymph node dissection, with one positive node. I did have a year of interferon. I am happy to report that I have celebrated 3 years since my diagnosis.  I feel wonderful.

I would like to offer you hope and encouragement.  It is so hard when you're first diagnosed.  It felt like it was all a dream.  I hope that you have wonderful friends and family to surround and support you.

You will find good information here and people that can truly relate to your circumstance.  Please feel free to ask me any questions about my journey

Blessings to you,

Jackie

I was told by the general surgeon that rremoved my first tumor that anal melanoma could not be staged.  He didn't even follow up by cheking the lmph nodes.  It is my impression that when (a cancer?) or at  least melanoma reaches the nearby lymph nodes it is always then stage III and when it reaches distand site it becomes stage IV.

I was told by the general surgeon that rremoved my first tumor that anal melanoma could not be staged.  He didn't even follow up by cheking the lmph nodes.  It is my impression that when (a cancer?) or at  least melanoma reaches the nearby lymph nodes it is always then stage III and when it reaches distand site it becomes stage IV.

Mine was over 4 because during the 9 additional visits to Dr Thrasher, Jan (2003-2006) after the first one, he never again had me drop my drawers and neve looked at it again.  Just kept saying "keep using Prep H".  I've always wondered if it startd as a melanoma, or if the irritation it encountered in the nest 3 1/2 years led to the mutations.  Now I tell people that if Prep H doesn't work in a short time to get to someone who will remove it and have a pathology exam run on it.  Delay can be deadly!

Mine was over 4 because during the 9 additional visits to Dr Thrasher, Jan (2003-2006) after the first one, he never again had me drop my drawers and neve looked at it again.  Just kept saying "keep using Prep H".  I've always wondered if it startd as a melanoma, or if the irritation it encountered in the nest 3 1/2 years led to the mutations.  Now I tell people that if Prep H doesn't work in a short time to get to someone who will remove it and have a pathology exam run on it.  Delay can be deadly!

Hi Jeannine,

I hope that you are finding some peace since being in contact with "others of us." 

I agree with Jerry about the staging.  I was diagnosed at IIIB. This is my interpretation of it:  I am a 3 because I had lymph node involvement, and B because, although it only involved one positive node, it was large.  Hope that helps answer your question.

As far as which came first (the cancer or the size?) I would guess the cancer.  But that is just a guess.

I was diagnosed at age 46.  I am now 49.  I'm married with 2 sons that are both starting their first teaching jobs.  They are 22 and 24.

As Deb said, I have also bargained with God and prayer saying, "Please just let me see my kids get through college, then please just let me see them find love, and please just let me see them find jobs."  I keep revising my prayers too!  I want to be here for a long time yet.  I'd like to see grandchildren some day (down the road!)

I am so glad that Phil is back to work and enjoying time with the kids.

I find it so energizing to hear about other's victories over this obstacle. 

Be well.

God's blessings to you,

Jackie

Hi Jeannine,

I too believe that everything happens for a reason, and we may never know the reasons why.

I like the lady at church!  How wonderful and encouraging to have her acknowledge your victories. Give her some pom poms, 'cause you've got a cheerleader!

Since being diagnosed, things have just become clearer for me. Every blessing is a miracle, and everday is too.  I am so much more grateful for so many more things.

I have learned so much about myself and my christian relationships, including that with our Saviour.

Be Well,

♥ Jackie

Hi Jeannine,

I too believe that everything happens for a reason, and we may never know the reasons why.

I like the lady at church!  How wonderful and encouraging to have her acknowledge your victories. Give her some pom poms, 'cause you've got a cheerleader!

Since being diagnosed, things have just become clearer for me. Every blessing is a miracle, and everday is too.  I am so much more grateful for so many more things.

I have learned so much about myself and my christian relationships, including that with our Saviour.

Be Well,

♥ Jackie

Hi Jeannine,

I hope that you are finding some peace since being in contact with "others of us." 

I agree with Jerry about the staging.  I was diagnosed at IIIB. This is my interpretation of it:  I am a 3 because I had lymph node involvement, and B because, although it only involved one positive node, it was large.  Hope that helps answer your question.

As far as which came first (the cancer or the size?) I would guess the cancer.  But that is just a guess.

I was diagnosed at age 46.  I am now 49.  I'm married with 2 sons that are both starting their first teaching jobs.  They are 22 and 24.

As Deb said, I have also bargained with God and prayer saying, "Please just let me see my kids get through college, then please just let me see them find love, and please just let me see them find jobs."  I keep revising my prayers too!  I want to be here for a long time yet.  I'd like to see grandchildren some day (down the road!)

I am so glad that Phil is back to work and enjoying time with the kids.

I find it so energizing to hear about other's victories over this obstacle. 

Be well.

God's blessings to you,

Jackie

Hi Jeannine,

My name is Jackie.  I have been a registered member of this site for quite a while, but I'm pretty sure I've never posted.

As you already know, you are not alone in this journey.  I was diagnosed in 7/08 with anal mucosal melanoma, stage IIIb.  I thought I had a hemorrhoid.  I had an APR (abdominal-peritoneal resection), with colostomy, total hyster, and lymph node dissection, with one positive node. I did have a year of interferon. I am happy to report that I have celebrated 3 years since my diagnosis.  I feel wonderful.

I would like to offer you hope and encouragement.  It is so hard when you're first diagnosed.  It felt like it was all a dream.  I hope that you have wonderful friends and family to surround and support you.

You will find good information here and people that can truly relate to your circumstance.  Please feel free to ask me any questions about my journey

Blessings to you,

Jackie

Vikas,

I would suggest that you open a new BB post (topic) for your entry.  Some people use the viewing order of the base original post and others use the order of the last post.  Under the base post order your post are listed under Jean9's as of 8/21/2011.

   Don't know if you  have read my profile, please do so.  I was mis-diaagnosed by local doctor for 3 1/2 years then slow rolled by a  local surgeon for another 7 months.  i had one tumor in the anus and three tumors just outside of the anal opening.  One pathology report stated that that the tumor was mucousal melanoma.  It was decided that a local excision was possible versus having to have a complete colostomy.  It is haard to tell whhih is the best thing to have done.  I have a close friend that had the complete colostomy done and after a couple of years has had spread and continued operations and treatments. 

  i would most likely be dead if it were not for the great response and treatment action from the University of Virginia (UVA) Oncology team of Dr Slingluff (surgeon) and Dr G. Weiss (head of the Medcal Oncology dept).  Initial diagnosis was May 2006, reached stage IV in Feb 2007.  Local Onc told me that i would most likely be dead within 6 months. of Feb.    Upon the stage IV diagnosis I immediately went into IL-2 treatment at UVA with Dr G. Weiss (Who has been working with IL-2 since the early 1980's)  One needs to have an experienced IL-2 team.  (IL-2 is still the most successful broad based melanoma treatment.)  This was successsful for 20 months and then the Tumor growth went wild again.

During this time my research had found one aarticle published by one Oncologist about  one patient in  one peer rrviewed publication that showed a good success with a treatment for mucousal melanoma with the C-kit oncoprotein over exprssion and also containing a c-kit DNA mutation in the tumor.  I also talked with Dr. Wen Jen Hwu at MD Anderson (MDA) in Texas, who was also working with the c-kit tumors.    The UVA Oncologists consulted with Dr Hwu and then decided that even though they had never tried the Gleevec (Glevic) for mucousal c-kit melanoma, that it appeared to be the most favorablea route to try.  I have been essentially stable for 5 years now on this treatment (Not FDA approved for melanoma)  The Gleevec has been approved for three other types of cancer  which also may contain c-kit mutations.

        I have also learned that Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (http://www.vicc.org/news/category/melanoma) is also doing much work on Mucosal Melanoma.

Vikas,

I would suggest that you open a new BB post (topic) for your entry.  Some people use the viewing order of the base original post and others use the order of the last post.  Under the base post order your post are listed under Jean9's as of 8/21/2011.

   Don't know if you  have read my profile, please do so.  I was mis-diaagnosed by local doctor for 3 1/2 years then slow rolled by a  local surgeon for another 7 months.  i had one tumor in the anus and three tumors just outside of the anal opening.  One pathology report stated that that the tumor was mucousal melanoma.  It was decided that a local excision was possible versus having to have a complete colostomy.  It is haard to tell whhih is the best thing to have done.  I have a close friend that had the complete colostomy done and after a couple of years has had spread and continued operations and treatments. 

  i would most likely be dead if it were not for the great response and treatment action from the University of Virginia (UVA) Oncology team of Dr Slingluff (surgeon) and Dr G. Weiss (head of the Medcal Oncology dept).  Initial diagnosis was May 2006, reached stage IV in Feb 2007.  Local Onc told me that i would most likely be dead within 6 months. of Feb.    Upon the stage IV diagnosis I immediately went into IL-2 treatment at UVA with Dr G. Weiss (Who has been working with IL-2 since the early 1980's)  One needs to have an experienced IL-2 team.  (IL-2 is still the most successful broad based melanoma treatment.)  This was successsful for 20 months and then the Tumor growth went wild again.

During this time my research had found one aarticle published by one Oncologist about  one patient in  one peer rrviewed publication that showed a good success with a treatment for mucousal melanoma with the C-kit oncoprotein over exprssion and also containing a c-kit DNA mutation in the tumor.  I also talked with Dr. Wen Jen Hwu at MD Anderson (MDA) in Texas, who was also working with the c-kit tumors.    The UVA Oncologists consulted with Dr Hwu and then decided that even though they had never tried the Gleevec (Glevic) for mucousal c-kit melanoma, that it appeared to be the most favorablea route to try.  I have been essentially stable for 5 years now on this treatment (Not FDA approved for melanoma)  The Gleevec has been approved for three other types of cancer  which also may contain c-kit mutations.

        I have also learned that Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (http://www.vicc.org/news/category/melanoma) is also doing much work on Mucosal Melanoma.

Vikas,

I would suggest that you open a new BB post (topic) for your entry.  Some people use the viewing order of the base original post and others use the order of the last post.  Under the base post order your post are listed under Jean9's as of 8/21/2011.

   Don't know if you  have read my profile, please do so.  I was mis-diaagnosed by local doctor for 3 1/2 years then slow rolled by a  local surgeon for another 7 months.  i had one tumor in the anus and three tumors just outside of the anal opening.  One pathology report stated that that the tumor was mucousal melanoma.  It was decided that a local excision was possible versus having to have a complete colostomy.  It is haard to tell whhih is the best thing to have done.  I have a close friend that had the complete colostomy done and after a couple of years has had spread and continued operations and treatments. 

  i would most likely be dead if it were not for the great response and treatment action from the University of Virginia (UVA) Oncology team of Dr Slingluff (surgeon) and Dr G. Weiss (head of the Medcal Oncology dept).  Initial diagnosis was May 2006, reached stage IV in Feb 2007.  Local Onc told me that i would most likely be dead within 6 months. of Feb.    Upon the stage IV diagnosis I immediately went into IL-2 treatment at UVA with Dr G. Weiss (Who has been working with IL-2 since the early 1980's)  One needs to have an experienced IL-2 team.  (IL-2 is still the most successful broad based melanoma treatment.)  This was successsful for 20 months and then the Tumor growth went wild again.

During this time my research had found one aarticle published by one Oncologist about  one patient in  one peer rrviewed publication that showed a good success with a treatment for mucousal melanoma with the C-kit oncoprotein over exprssion and also containing a c-kit DNA mutation in the tumor.  I also talked with Dr. Wen Jen Hwu at MD Anderson (MDA) in Texas, who was also working with the c-kit tumors.    The UVA Oncologists consulted with Dr Hwu and then decided that even though they had never tried the Gleevec (Glevic) for mucousal c-kit melanoma, that it appeared to be the most favorablea route to try.  I have been essentially stable for 5 years now on this treatment (Not FDA approved for melanoma)  The Gleevec has been approved for three other types of cancer  which also may contain c-kit mutations.

        I have also learned that Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (http://www.vicc.org/news/category/melanoma) is also doing much work on Mucosal Melanoma.

Vikas,

I would suggest that you open a new BB post (topic) for your entry.  Some people use the viewing order of the base original post and others use the order of the last post.  Under the base post order your post are listed under Jean9's as of 8/21/2011.   We don't separate posts by the type of melanoma, but list all posts (by either the date of original posting or by the date  of replies.

   Don't know if you  have read my profile, please do so.  I was mis-diagnosed by local doctor for 3 1/2 years then slow rolled by a  local surgeon for another 7 months.  i had one tumor in the anus and three tumors just outside of the anal opening.  One pathology report stated that that the tumor was mucosal melanoma.  It was decided that a local excision was possible versus having to have a complete colostomy.  It is hard to tell which is the best thing to have done.  I have a close friend that had the complete colostomy done and after a couple of years has had spread and continued operations and treatments. 

  i would most likely be dead if it were not for the great response and treatment action from the University of Virginia (UVA) Oncology team of Dr Slingluff (surgeon) and Dr G. Weiss (head of the Medical Oncology dept).  Initial diagnosis was May 2006, reached stage IV in Feb 2007.  Local Onc told me that i would most likely be dead within 6 months. of Feb.    Upon the stage IV diagnosis I immediately went into IL-2 treatment at UVA with Dr G. Weiss (Who has been working with IL-2 since the early 1980's)  One needs to have an experienced IL-2 team.  (IL-2 is still the most successful broad based melanoma treatment.)  This was successful for 20 months and then the Tumor growth went wild again.

During this time my research had found one article published by one Oncologist about  one patient in  one peer reviewed publication that showed a good success with a treatment for mucosal melanoma with the C-kit oncoprotein over expression and also containing a c-kit DNA mutation in the tumor.  I also talked with Dr. Wen Jen Hwu at MD Anderson (MDA) in Texas, who was also working with the c-kit tumors.    The UVA Oncologists consulted with Dr Hwu and then decided that even though they had never tried the Gleevec (Glevic) for mucosal c-kit melanoma, that it appeared to be the most favorable route to try.  I have been essentially stable for 5 years now on this treatment (Not FDA approved for melanoma)  The Gleevec has been approved for three other types of cancer  which also may contain c-kit mutations.

        I have also learned that Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (http://www.vicc.org/news/category/melanoma) is also doing much work on Mucosal Melanoma.

Vikas,

I would suggest that you open a new BB post (topic) for your entry.  Some people use the viewing order of the base original post and others use the order of the last post.  Under the base post order your post are listed under Jean9's as of 8/21/2011.   We don't separate posts by the type of melanoma, but list all posts (by either the date of original posting or by the date  of replies.

   Don't know if you  have read my profile, please do so.  I was mis-diagnosed by local doctor for 3 1/2 years then slow rolled by a  local surgeon for another 7 months.  i had one tumor in the anus and three tumors just outside of the anal opening.  One pathology report stated that that the tumor was mucosal melanoma.  It was decided that a local excision was possible versus having to have a complete colostomy.  It is hard to tell which is the best thing to have done.  I have a close friend that had the complete colostomy done and after a couple of years has had spread and continued operations and treatments. 

  i would most likely be dead if it were not for the great response and treatment action from the University of Virginia (UVA) Oncology team of Dr Slingluff (surgeon) and Dr G. Weiss (head of the Medical Oncology dept).  Initial diagnosis was May 2006, reached stage IV in Feb 2007.  Local Onc told me that i would most likely be dead within 6 months. of Feb.    Upon the stage IV diagnosis I immediately went into IL-2 treatment at UVA with Dr G. Weiss (Who has been working with IL-2 since the early 1980's)  One needs to have an experienced IL-2 team.  (IL-2 is still the most successful broad based melanoma treatment.)  This was successful for 20 months and then the Tumor growth went wild again.

During this time my research had found one article published by one Oncologist about  one patient in  one peer reviewed publication that showed a good success with a treatment for mucosal melanoma with the C-kit oncoprotein over expression and also containing a c-kit DNA mutation in the tumor.  I also talked with Dr. Wen Jen Hwu at MD Anderson (MDA) in Texas, who was also working with the c-kit tumors.    The UVA Oncologists consulted with Dr Hwu and then decided that even though they had never tried the Gleevec (Glevic) for mucosal c-kit melanoma, that it appeared to be the most favorable route to try.  I have been essentially stable for 5 years now on this treatment (Not FDA approved for melanoma)  The Gleevec has been approved for three other types of cancer  which also may contain c-kit mutations.

        I have also learned that Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (http://www.vicc.org/news/category/melanoma) is also doing much work on Mucosal Melanoma.

Vikas,

I would suggest that you open a new BB post (topic) for your entry.  Some people use the viewing order of the base original post and others use the order of the last post.  Under the base post order your post are listed under Jean9's as of 8/21/2011.   We don't separate posts by the type of melanoma, but list all posts (by either the date of original posting or by the date  of replies.

   Don't know if you  have read my profile, please do so.  I was mis-diagnosed by local doctor for 3 1/2 years then slow rolled by a  local surgeon for another 7 months.  i had one tumor in the anus and three tumors just outside of the anal opening.  One pathology report stated that that the tumor was mucosal melanoma.  It was decided that a local excision was possible versus having to have a complete colostomy.  It is hard to tell which is the best thing to have done.  I have a close friend that had the complete colostomy done and after a couple of years has had spread and continued operations and treatments. 

  i would most likely be dead if it were not for the great response and treatment action from the University of Virginia (UVA) Oncology team of Dr Slingluff (surgeon) and Dr G. Weiss (head of the Medical Oncology dept).  Initial diagnosis was May 2006, reached stage IV in Feb 2007.  Local Onc told me that i would most likely be dead within 6 months. of Feb.    Upon the stage IV diagnosis I immediately went into IL-2 treatment at UVA with Dr G. Weiss (Who has been working with IL-2 since the early 1980's)  One needs to have an experienced IL-2 team.  (IL-2 is still the most successful broad based melanoma treatment.)  This was successful for 20 months and then the Tumor growth went wild again.

During this time my research had found one article published by one Oncologist about  one patient in  one peer reviewed publication that showed a good success with a treatment for mucosal melanoma with the C-kit oncoprotein over expression and also containing a c-kit DNA mutation in the tumor.  I also talked with Dr. Wen Jen Hwu at MD Anderson (MDA) in Texas, who was also working with the c-kit tumors.    The UVA Oncologists consulted with Dr Hwu and then decided that even though they had never tried the Gleevec (Glevic) for mucosal c-kit melanoma, that it appeared to be the most favorable route to try.  I have been essentially stable for 5 years now on this treatment (Not FDA approved for melanoma)  The Gleevec has been approved for three other types of cancer  which also may contain c-kit mutations.

        I have also learned that Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (http://www.vicc.org/news/category/melanoma) is also doing much work on Mucosal Melanoma.

Hi Jeannine,

Thank you very much for guidance and support to me. 

i Have gone through all the articles and helped me to understand the seriouness of the deasese. 

As i am from India and currently undergoing treatment on Ruby Clinic pune, doctor suggested me to go for Colostomy surgery. Need to check with the doctor for other alternative treatments.

Thanks

Vikas

Hi Jeannine,

Thank you very much for guidance and support to me. 

i Have gone through all the articles and helped me to understand the seriouness of the deasese. 

As i am from India and currently undergoing treatment on Ruby Clinic pune, doctor suggested me to go for Colostomy surgery. Need to check with the doctor for other alternative treatments.

Thanks

Vikas

Hi Jeannine,

Thank you very much for guidance and support to me. 

i Have gone through all the articles and helped me to understand the seriouness of the deasese. 

As i am from India and currently undergoing treatment on Ruby Clinic pune, doctor suggested me to go for Colostomy surgery. Need to check with the doctor for other alternative treatments.

Thanks

Vikas

Hi Vikas,

So sorry that your father is battling this illness.  Bless you for seeking the best care for him.  This is a rare cancer which is treated differently from individual to individual and hospital to hospital.  I know of a few of us and no two have received the same treatment plan. 

As Jeannine mentioned, Dana Farber and MD Anderson are renowned facilities.  I have had my surgeries and treatments at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  It would be good for your father to be cared for by someone that has dealt with mucosal melanoma in the past.

I was diagnosed in July, 08 as stage 3B.  I had the abdominal/peritoneal resection with a colostomy, a lymph node dissection with 1 positive node and a year of interferon.  This summer will mark 4 years since my diagnosis. 

I will gladly answer any further questions that you may have.  I am 50.  How old is your dad?

Saying prayers for healing for your dad. 

Be well,

Jackie

Hi Vikas,

So sorry that your father is battling this illness.  Bless you for seeking the best care for him.  This is a rare cancer which is treated differently from individual to individual and hospital to hospital.  I know of a few of us and no two have received the same treatment plan. 

As Jeannine mentioned, Dana Farber and MD Anderson are renowned facilities.  I have had my surgeries and treatments at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  It would be good for your father to be cared for by someone that has dealt with mucosal melanoma in the past.

I was diagnosed in July, 08 as stage 3B.  I had the abdominal/peritoneal resection with a colostomy, a lymph node dissection with 1 positive node and a year of interferon.  This summer will mark 4 years since my diagnosis. 

I will gladly answer any further questions that you may have.  I am 50.  How old is your dad?

Saying prayers for healing for your dad. 

Be well,

Jackie

Hi Vikas,

So sorry that your father is battling this illness.  Bless you for seeking the best care for him.  This is a rare cancer which is treated differently from individual to individual and hospital to hospital.  I know of a few of us and no two have received the same treatment plan. 

As Jeannine mentioned, Dana Farber and MD Anderson are renowned facilities.  I have had my surgeries and treatments at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  It would be good for your father to be cared for by someone that has dealt with mucosal melanoma in the past.

I was diagnosed in July, 08 as stage 3B.  I had the abdominal/peritoneal resection with a colostomy, a lymph node dissection with 1 positive node and a year of interferon.  This summer will mark 4 years since my diagnosis. 

I will gladly answer any further questions that you may have.  I am 50.  How old is your dad?

Saying prayers for healing for your dad. 

Be well,

Jackie