Older patients and Interferon
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Older patients and Interferon

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Older patients and Interferon

  • Post
    • December 2, 2011 at 1:30 am
    Denise
    Participant

    Hello.  My mother was recently diagnosed Stage 2b and is having surgery on December 14th.  Her doctor (Dr. John Kirkwood in Pittsburgh) has recommended interferon therapy following.   I've researched it and it does seem scary.  I'm particualry curious if anyone has personal experience with an older patient on this treatment?   I understand there will be side effects, and that all patients react differently, but any insight/advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Hello.  My mother was recently diagnosed Stage 2b and is having surgery on December 14th.  Her doctor (Dr. John Kirkwood in Pittsburgh) has recommended interferon therapy following.   I've researched it and it does seem scary.  I'm particualry curious if anyone has personal experience with an older patient on this treatment?   I understand there will be side effects, and that all patients react differently, but any insight/advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Praying for a CURE not only for my mother but for all melanoma patients!   St. Jude, please pray for us.

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • December 2, 2011 at 12:39 pm
      Fen
      Participant

      How old is older?  I did interferon in my 50's and had an awful time – but that is probably just my physiology.  Drugs always hit me hard.    Do lots of research on the effectiveness of interferon and maybe get a second opinion.  It is a rough road for many people so go into it with armed with information.

      good luck!

      • December 2, 2011 at 12:39 pm
      Fen
      Participant

      How old is older?  I did interferon in my 50's and had an awful time – but that is probably just my physiology.  Drugs always hit me hard.    Do lots of research on the effectiveness of interferon and maybe get a second opinion.  It is a rough road for many people so go into it with armed with information.

      good luck!

      • December 2, 2011 at 12:39 pm
      Fen
      Participant

      How old is older?  I did interferon in my 50's and had an awful time – but that is probably just my physiology.  Drugs always hit me hard.    Do lots of research on the effectiveness of interferon and maybe get a second opinion.  It is a rough road for many people so go into it with armed with information.

      good luck!

      • December 2, 2011 at 1:43 pm
      DonnaK
      Participant

      I'm sorry to see your mom is in this situation.  I don't have any advice on interferon for older patients, but I would seriously suggest getting a second opinion. Dr. Kirkwood championed Interferon therapy and is likely biased. I'm not necessarilly against Interferon…(my husband is currently taking it.)  I'm just not sure how necessary it is for Stage 2B…

      Best of luck.

      Donna

        • December 2, 2011 at 4:11 pm
        Denise
        Participant

        Thank you.   I'm trying to arm myself with as much information as possible.   From what I've been reading, I don't think Sloan Kettering is even using interferon any longer.  We're lucky enough to know someone at Johns Hopkins, and we're getting him involved for his input as well.  I just want to make sure that we're comfortable with the decision.

        • December 2, 2011 at 4:11 pm
        Denise
        Participant

        Thank you.   I'm trying to arm myself with as much information as possible.   From what I've been reading, I don't think Sloan Kettering is even using interferon any longer.  We're lucky enough to know someone at Johns Hopkins, and we're getting him involved for his input as well.  I just want to make sure that we're comfortable with the decision.

        • December 3, 2011 at 7:55 pm
        eaca
        Participant

        Denise,

        I'm stage 2b as well and have been taking Peg-Interferon on a clinical trial since September.  You may want to investigate Peg-Intron as an alternative to the regular interferon therapy, as there are fewer injections and the side-effects for some are reportedly less.  Some research results have indicated that interferon/Peg-intron is especially effective for earlier stage ulcerated melanomas, and that is why additional trials are being carried out using it.

        You're right to arm yourself with all the information you can to help make your decision.  Good luck in your fight and wishing you the best.

        Elisa

        • December 3, 2011 at 7:55 pm
        eaca
        Participant

        Denise,

        I'm stage 2b as well and have been taking Peg-Interferon on a clinical trial since September.  You may want to investigate Peg-Intron as an alternative to the regular interferon therapy, as there are fewer injections and the side-effects for some are reportedly less.  Some research results have indicated that interferon/Peg-intron is especially effective for earlier stage ulcerated melanomas, and that is why additional trials are being carried out using it.

        You're right to arm yourself with all the information you can to help make your decision.  Good luck in your fight and wishing you the best.

        Elisa

        • December 3, 2011 at 7:55 pm
        eaca
        Participant

        Denise,

        I'm stage 2b as well and have been taking Peg-Interferon on a clinical trial since September.  You may want to investigate Peg-Intron as an alternative to the regular interferon therapy, as there are fewer injections and the side-effects for some are reportedly less.  Some research results have indicated that interferon/Peg-intron is especially effective for earlier stage ulcerated melanomas, and that is why additional trials are being carried out using it.

        You're right to arm yourself with all the information you can to help make your decision.  Good luck in your fight and wishing you the best.

        Elisa

        • December 3, 2011 at 11:39 pm
        Cooper
        Participant

        You're right about Dr. Kirkwood and interferon, he and his institution set up melanoma.com which is a site that promoted interferon use.  Also, Sloan Kettering, Hopkins and many others stopped prescribing it years ago. It doesn't improve survival odds. Older patients may not tolerate the severe toxic reactions that some encounter.  Peg Interferon has been shown be even MORE toxic.  I wouldn't let my senior aged  parents take either or relatives of any age for that matter.

        • December 3, 2011 at 11:39 pm
        Cooper
        Participant

        You're right about Dr. Kirkwood and interferon, he and his institution set up melanoma.com which is a site that promoted interferon use.  Also, Sloan Kettering, Hopkins and many others stopped prescribing it years ago. It doesn't improve survival odds. Older patients may not tolerate the severe toxic reactions that some encounter.  Peg Interferon has been shown be even MORE toxic.  I wouldn't let my senior aged  parents take either or relatives of any age for that matter.

        • December 3, 2011 at 11:39 pm
        Cooper
        Participant

        You're right about Dr. Kirkwood and interferon, he and his institution set up melanoma.com which is a site that promoted interferon use.  Also, Sloan Kettering, Hopkins and many others stopped prescribing it years ago. It doesn't improve survival odds. Older patients may not tolerate the severe toxic reactions that some encounter.  Peg Interferon has been shown be even MORE toxic.  I wouldn't let my senior aged  parents take either or relatives of any age for that matter.

        • December 2, 2011 at 4:11 pm
        Denise
        Participant

        Thank you.   I'm trying to arm myself with as much information as possible.   From what I've been reading, I don't think Sloan Kettering is even using interferon any longer.  We're lucky enough to know someone at Johns Hopkins, and we're getting him involved for his input as well.  I just want to make sure that we're comfortable with the decision.

      • December 2, 2011 at 1:43 pm
      DonnaK
      Participant

      I'm sorry to see your mom is in this situation.  I don't have any advice on interferon for older patients, but I would seriously suggest getting a second opinion. Dr. Kirkwood championed Interferon therapy and is likely biased. I'm not necessarilly against Interferon…(my husband is currently taking it.)  I'm just not sure how necessary it is for Stage 2B…

      Best of luck.

      Donna

      • December 2, 2011 at 1:43 pm
      DonnaK
      Participant

      I'm sorry to see your mom is in this situation.  I don't have any advice on interferon for older patients, but I would seriously suggest getting a second opinion. Dr. Kirkwood championed Interferon therapy and is likely biased. I'm not necessarilly against Interferon…(my husband is currently taking it.)  I'm just not sure how necessary it is for Stage 2B…

      Best of luck.

      Donna

Viewing 5 reply threads
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