melanoma treatment options for someone on immunosuppression drugs after kidney transplant
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

melanoma treatment options for someone on immunosuppression drugs after kidney transplant

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › melanoma treatment options for someone on immunosuppression drugs after kidney transplant

  • Post
    • December 3, 2012 at 8:18 pm
    nsabel
    Participant

    Hi– thanks for taking time to look at this question. 

    Hi– thanks for taking time to look at this question. 

    My 70 year old father received a kidney transplant in early 2008 and melanoma was found on his neck and several lymph nodes around his jaw/neck in mid-2009. All impacted areas were surgically removed (at tampa general) and he has been doing well until the most recent pet scan (5 lymph node areas in neck).  We're trying to find someone who understands his situation (metastatic melanoma in a immunosuppressed patient) and can spearhead a treatment plan. He doesnt really have a DR right now who is guiding his through things. Does anyone have experience with this situation? Any DRs you could recommend contacting? He can go anywhere for treatment but lives near tampa  and also in ohio. 

    thanks so much,

    Naomi

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • December 4, 2012 at 12:08 am
      kylez
      Participant

      Hi Naomi,

      I don't have any experience with the melanoma in an immunosuppressed state.

      Tampa does have a very well regarded, NCI-designated cancer center of excellence, in the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Dr. Jeff Weber from Moffitt is often mentioned (as someone to see) by patients of his on this board. See: 

      http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters/find-a-cancer-center/moffitt

      Best of luck, Kyle

      • December 4, 2012 at 12:08 am
      kylez
      Participant

      Hi Naomi,

      I don't have any experience with the melanoma in an immunosuppressed state.

      Tampa does have a very well regarded, NCI-designated cancer center of excellence, in the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Dr. Jeff Weber from Moffitt is often mentioned (as someone to see) by patients of his on this board. See: 

      http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters/find-a-cancer-center/moffitt

      Best of luck, Kyle

        • December 4, 2012 at 5:53 pm
        nsabel
        Participant

        Kyle– thanks so much

        • December 4, 2012 at 5:53 pm
        nsabel
        Participant

        Kyle– thanks so much

        • December 4, 2012 at 5:53 pm
        nsabel
        Participant

        Kyle– thanks so much

      • December 4, 2012 at 12:08 am
      kylez
      Participant

      Hi Naomi,

      I don't have any experience with the melanoma in an immunosuppressed state.

      Tampa does have a very well regarded, NCI-designated cancer center of excellence, in the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Dr. Jeff Weber from Moffitt is often mentioned (as someone to see) by patients of his on this board. See: 

      http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters/find-a-cancer-center/moffitt

      Best of luck, Kyle

      • December 4, 2012 at 4:43 am
      Swanee
      Participant

      Hi Naomi,

      Sorry your father has been diagnosed with melanoma.  I am glad you found this board, it can be a real life saver and is a great source of comfort, answers, love and support.  

      Right after my diagnosis a friend dropped a book off to me called "the anti-cancer  – A new way of life" book (excellent for anyone undergoing cancer) and in one of the chapters they talk about someone getting an organ transplant and the patient receiving the transplant who developed melanoma from the donor, even though the donor's melanoma was 20 yrs. previous, not in an advanced stage at all and donor was declared cured.  But because a transplant patient has to take so many immunosuppressed drugs in order to receive the transplant it can bring to life dormant melanoma cells.  This might all be related to the transplant and I would suggest to investigate that possibility.  Reading that story has opened my mind to the tenacious personality of this disease and how it survives beyond death,  it is truly a stubborn cancer that doesn't go away.

      This is just a small tidbit of information but I hope it helps you in your journey with this melanoma battle.  Stay in touch and report your progress.  I think their are a lot of great melanoma treatment centers in Tampa, Florida……so good luck!

      Best wishes as you love and support your father through this melanoma maze!

      Swanee 

      • December 4, 2012 at 4:43 am
      Swanee
      Participant

      Hi Naomi,

      Sorry your father has been diagnosed with melanoma.  I am glad you found this board, it can be a real life saver and is a great source of comfort, answers, love and support.  

      Right after my diagnosis a friend dropped a book off to me called "the anti-cancer  – A new way of life" book (excellent for anyone undergoing cancer) and in one of the chapters they talk about someone getting an organ transplant and the patient receiving the transplant who developed melanoma from the donor, even though the donor's melanoma was 20 yrs. previous, not in an advanced stage at all and donor was declared cured.  But because a transplant patient has to take so many immunosuppressed drugs in order to receive the transplant it can bring to life dormant melanoma cells.  This might all be related to the transplant and I would suggest to investigate that possibility.  Reading that story has opened my mind to the tenacious personality of this disease and how it survives beyond death,  it is truly a stubborn cancer that doesn't go away.

      This is just a small tidbit of information but I hope it helps you in your journey with this melanoma battle.  Stay in touch and report your progress.  I think their are a lot of great melanoma treatment centers in Tampa, Florida……so good luck!

      Best wishes as you love and support your father through this melanoma maze!

      Swanee 

        • December 4, 2012 at 11:30 am
        JC
        Participant

        So is what this book is saying is that melanoma never really is gone on anyone?  So even folks who had very early thin lesions that were 95% curable with WLE. .they are really never rid of the cancer, that is lies dormant in everyone who ever had it, and it's just a matter of if it comes out of dormancy or not? 

        • December 4, 2012 at 11:30 am
        JC
        Participant

        So is what this book is saying is that melanoma never really is gone on anyone?  So even folks who had very early thin lesions that were 95% curable with WLE. .they are really never rid of the cancer, that is lies dormant in everyone who ever had it, and it's just a matter of if it comes out of dormancy or not? 

        • December 4, 2012 at 7:25 pm
        Swanee
        Participant

        To Anonymous,

        You would have to read this section of the book, I can't go into detail here.  The donor that I was referring to, all or most of the recipients of her organs, ended up with melanoma and many of the patients had the transplanted organ removed, some stopped their immunopressive drugs or some died.  Cancer cells live in all of us and it is our immune system that keeps them in check.  Melanoma seems to have a strong connection with our immune system and I think that is why it doesn't respond well to chemotherapy and is more successfully treated  with immunotherapy.  I'm not saying melanoma lives dormant in everyone who has had it but I know it's likely with us,  (if we've had it)  and it's our immune system that keeps in under control.  

        The book I am referring to is written by a doctor who had cancer, David Servan-Schreiber and is a must read for everyone……especially those who don't have cancer because it really emphasizes a healthy lifestyle.  It's not particular to any one cancer it is just a general overview of the whole situation.  Hope you can find a copy and read, you won't be disappointed!

        Swanee

        • December 4, 2012 at 7:25 pm
        Swanee
        Participant

        To Anonymous,

        You would have to read this section of the book, I can't go into detail here.  The donor that I was referring to, all or most of the recipients of her organs, ended up with melanoma and many of the patients had the transplanted organ removed, some stopped their immunopressive drugs or some died.  Cancer cells live in all of us and it is our immune system that keeps them in check.  Melanoma seems to have a strong connection with our immune system and I think that is why it doesn't respond well to chemotherapy and is more successfully treated  with immunotherapy.  I'm not saying melanoma lives dormant in everyone who has had it but I know it's likely with us,  (if we've had it)  and it's our immune system that keeps in under control.  

        The book I am referring to is written by a doctor who had cancer, David Servan-Schreiber and is a must read for everyone……especially those who don't have cancer because it really emphasizes a healthy lifestyle.  It's not particular to any one cancer it is just a general overview of the whole situation.  Hope you can find a copy and read, you won't be disappointed!

        Swanee

        • December 4, 2012 at 7:25 pm
        Swanee
        Participant

        To Anonymous,

        You would have to read this section of the book, I can't go into detail here.  The donor that I was referring to, all or most of the recipients of her organs, ended up with melanoma and many of the patients had the transplanted organ removed, some stopped their immunopressive drugs or some died.  Cancer cells live in all of us and it is our immune system that keeps them in check.  Melanoma seems to have a strong connection with our immune system and I think that is why it doesn't respond well to chemotherapy and is more successfully treated  with immunotherapy.  I'm not saying melanoma lives dormant in everyone who has had it but I know it's likely with us,  (if we've had it)  and it's our immune system that keeps in under control.  

        The book I am referring to is written by a doctor who had cancer, David Servan-Schreiber and is a must read for everyone……especially those who don't have cancer because it really emphasizes a healthy lifestyle.  It's not particular to any one cancer it is just a general overview of the whole situation.  Hope you can find a copy and read, you won't be disappointed!

        Swanee

        • December 4, 2012 at 11:30 am
        JC
        Participant

        So is what this book is saying is that melanoma never really is gone on anyone?  So even folks who had very early thin lesions that were 95% curable with WLE. .they are really never rid of the cancer, that is lies dormant in everyone who ever had it, and it's just a matter of if it comes out of dormancy or not? 

        • December 4, 2012 at 5:55 pm
        nsabel
        Participant

        Swanee– I will definitely check out the book. 

        thanks,

        Naomi

        • December 4, 2012 at 5:55 pm
        nsabel
        Participant

        Swanee– I will definitely check out the book. 

        thanks,

        Naomi

        • December 4, 2012 at 5:55 pm
        nsabel
        Participant

        Swanee– I will definitely check out the book. 

        thanks,

        Naomi

      • December 4, 2012 at 4:43 am
      Swanee
      Participant

      Hi Naomi,

      Sorry your father has been diagnosed with melanoma.  I am glad you found this board, it can be a real life saver and is a great source of comfort, answers, love and support.  

      Right after my diagnosis a friend dropped a book off to me called "the anti-cancer  – A new way of life" book (excellent for anyone undergoing cancer) and in one of the chapters they talk about someone getting an organ transplant and the patient receiving the transplant who developed melanoma from the donor, even though the donor's melanoma was 20 yrs. previous, not in an advanced stage at all and donor was declared cured.  But because a transplant patient has to take so many immunosuppressed drugs in order to receive the transplant it can bring to life dormant melanoma cells.  This might all be related to the transplant and I would suggest to investigate that possibility.  Reading that story has opened my mind to the tenacious personality of this disease and how it survives beyond death,  it is truly a stubborn cancer that doesn't go away.

      This is just a small tidbit of information but I hope it helps you in your journey with this melanoma battle.  Stay in touch and report your progress.  I think their are a lot of great melanoma treatment centers in Tampa, Florida……so good luck!

      Best wishes as you love and support your father through this melanoma maze!

      Swanee 

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

Popular Topics