What should we do next?
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What should we do next?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › What should we do next?

  • Post
    • September 7, 2011 at 6:40 pm
    Jewel
    Participant

    Hi,

    9/2/11 my husband went back in for a re-excision of his original tumor ( 3 spots showed recurrance) all in same area. They did a full ELND due to the fact that lymph node was (is) swollen. If you go back and look at my last 2 posts you will see my husbands full history which started in Nov, 2010. We have not gotten the results back yet from ELND. I apologise for not having yet filled out his profile.

    Hi,

    9/2/11 my husband went back in for a re-excision of his original tumor ( 3 spots showed recurrance) all in same area. They did a full ELND due to the fact that lymph node was (is) swollen. If you go back and look at my last 2 posts you will see my husbands full history which started in Nov, 2010. We have not gotten the results back yet from ELND. I apologise for not having yet filled out his profile.

    Now that the melanoma has traveled from his lower left calf to his left groin does that still make him a stage 3? Pet Scan and 2 MRI's one of head and left leg only showed cancer in calf and possible in groin.

    It is amazing how well he is doing concidering the drains and the 3 X 8 inch graft they took off his thigh and put on his calf.

    We are still waiting for the results.  If the groin proves positive in your opinion ( and I'm open to all) what would you do?

    A very concerned wife who does ALL the research. My husband refuses to live in fear.

    Thank you,

    Jewel

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  • Replies
      • September 8, 2011 at 10:30 am
      FormerCaregiver
      Participant

      Sorry to read that your husband has had to have surgery at the site of his original
      tumour.

      Here is some detailed info about the stages of melanoma:
      http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/melanoma/treatment/stages-of-melanoma

      I feel that the most important prognostic indicator at the moment is the depth of the
      primary tumour. As the depth (from a previous post) was 3.6mm, this would mean that
      melanoma cells would tend to spread via the lymph channels. So, one will need to be
      especially vigilant for any new lesions or lumps that could be melanoma.

      If the groin proves positive, you should discuss the situation with your husband's
      oncologist and keep researching treatment options.

      Some promising therapies include surgery and GM-CSF (Leukine), IL-2, Yervoy, BRAF
      inhibitors and TIL treatment.

      Hope this helps.

      Frank from Australia

      • September 8, 2011 at 10:30 am
      FormerCaregiver
      Participant

      Sorry to read that your husband has had to have surgery at the site of his original
      tumour.

      Here is some detailed info about the stages of melanoma:
      http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/melanoma/treatment/stages-of-melanoma

      I feel that the most important prognostic indicator at the moment is the depth of the
      primary tumour. As the depth (from a previous post) was 3.6mm, this would mean that
      melanoma cells would tend to spread via the lymph channels. So, one will need to be
      especially vigilant for any new lesions or lumps that could be melanoma.

      If the groin proves positive, you should discuss the situation with your husband's
      oncologist and keep researching treatment options.

      Some promising therapies include surgery and GM-CSF (Leukine), IL-2, Yervoy, BRAF
      inhibitors and TIL treatment.

      Hope this helps.

      Frank from Australia

        • September 8, 2011 at 7:42 pm
        Jewel
        Participant

        Frank,

        Thank you so much for your reply, we are still waiting for the results. I have read alot of your posts in the past and you are always willing to share your wisdom. Your wife would be very proud of what you have continued to do.

        Jewel

        • September 8, 2011 at 7:42 pm
        Jewel
        Participant

        Frank,

        Thank you so much for your reply, we are still waiting for the results. I have read alot of your posts in the past and you are always willing to share your wisdom. Your wife would be very proud of what you have continued to do.

        Jewel

        • September 9, 2011 at 4:17 am
        FormerCaregiver
        Participant

        Thanks Jewel, I really appreciate your kind words.

        I have been involved in reading and writing about various health and medical conditions since the early 1990's.

        It was in 2007 that my efforts were switched to learning everything that there is to know about melanoma.

        Best wishes to you and your husband.

        Frank from Australia

        • September 9, 2011 at 4:17 am
        FormerCaregiver
        Participant

        Thanks Jewel, I really appreciate your kind words.

        I have been involved in reading and writing about various health and medical conditions since the early 1990's.

        It was in 2007 that my efforts were switched to learning everything that there is to know about melanoma.

        Best wishes to you and your husband.

        Frank from Australia

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