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advice on interferon
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advice on interferon

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › advice on interferon

  • Post
    • August 4, 2014 at 11:11 am
    sally1980
    Participant

      I was recently diagnosed with a t4 tumour on my chest. My pet scan was clear and my sentinel lymph node biopsy was clear, which puts me at stage 2b.

      I went to see an oncologist today who recommended going on interferon for a year because the melanoma was on my chest. My surgeon isn't so sure it is necessary so I have to make the decision!

      Everything I read on this makes me more confused, I was wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation and can offer some advice.

      I have two young children and live abroad so I'm not sure I will have the support I need to get through such a tough year. Would appreciate any advice!

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 4, 2014 at 8:57 pm
        Fen
        Participant

          As far as I know, interferon is not used as treatment for stage 2 – at least in the states it is more often given for stage 3.   It is a rough treatment for some people and others sail through.  Research suggests it is not very effect so do your reading and use the search function on this board to get a more opinions.

          Good luck!

          • August 4, 2014 at 8:57 pm
          Fen
          Participant

            As far as I know, interferon is not used as treatment for stage 2 – at least in the states it is more often given for stage 3.   It is a rough treatment for some people and others sail through.  Research suggests it is not very effect so do your reading and use the search function on this board to get a more opinions.

            Good luck!

              • August 5, 2014 at 3:48 pm
              Cooper
              Participant

                Interferon does not extend your overall survival, not worth a year of misery.  Look for the article that was posted here about making the decision.  It is an old drug with few uses these days.

                • August 5, 2014 at 3:56 pm
                Cooper
                Participant

                  There's a lot over on melanomaforum.org about this too.

                  • August 5, 2014 at 3:56 pm
                  Cooper
                  Participant

                    There's a lot over on melanomaforum.org about this too.

                    • August 5, 2014 at 3:56 pm
                    Cooper
                    Participant

                      There's a lot over on melanomaforum.org about this too.

                      • August 6, 2014 at 3:53 am
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Helping Melanoma Patients Decide Whether to Choose Adjuvant High-Dose Interferon-α2b

                        http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/10/9/739.full

                        • August 6, 2014 at 3:53 am
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Helping Melanoma Patients Decide Whether to Choose Adjuvant High-Dose Interferon-α2b

                          http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/10/9/739.full

                          • August 6, 2014 at 3:53 am
                          Janner
                          Participant

                            Helping Melanoma Patients Decide Whether to Choose Adjuvant High-Dose Interferon-α2b

                            http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/10/9/739.full

                            • August 5, 2014 at 3:48 pm
                            Cooper
                            Participant

                              Interferon does not extend your overall survival, not worth a year of misery.  Look for the article that was posted here about making the decision.  It is an old drug with few uses these days.

                              • August 5, 2014 at 3:48 pm
                              Cooper
                              Participant

                                Interferon does not extend your overall survival, not worth a year of misery.  Look for the article that was posted here about making the decision.  It is an old drug with few uses these days.

                              • August 4, 2014 at 8:57 pm
                              Fen
                              Participant

                                As far as I know, interferon is not used as treatment for stage 2 – at least in the states it is more often given for stage 3.   It is a rough treatment for some people and others sail through.  Research suggests it is not very effect so do your reading and use the search function on this board to get a more opinions.

                                Good luck!

                                • August 6, 2014 at 2:47 am
                                brittanyx
                                Participant
                                  You can’t base the negativity people have about this drug on what you want to do. If you feel this treatment is what you want to do, go for it. I’ve talked to people that are and have been NED for awhile now and they did interferon. Every body is different. It doesn’t work for some people, and it does for others. Sending positive thoughts!
                                  • August 6, 2014 at 2:47 am
                                  brittanyx
                                  Participant
                                    You can’t base the negativity people have about this drug on what you want to do. If you feel this treatment is what you want to do, go for it. I’ve talked to people that are and have been NED for awhile now and they did interferon. Every body is different. It doesn’t work for some people, and it does for others. Sending positive thoughts!
                                    • August 6, 2014 at 2:47 am
                                    brittanyx
                                    Participant
                                      You can’t base the negativity people have about this drug on what you want to do. If you feel this treatment is what you want to do, go for it. I’ve talked to people that are and have been NED for awhile now and they did interferon. Every body is different. It doesn’t work for some people, and it does for others. Sending positive thoughts!
                                      • August 7, 2014 at 6:17 pm
                                      scots
                                      Participant

                                        I was in a similar situation. My surgeon and oncologist disagreed with interferon.  I went with the advice of my oncologist  and completed the high and low dose interferon treatment. 4 years NED in October. I have to say it was not easy by no means and I had the help ans support of my wife and family. I did work the entire year. If I was not working, I sleeping.  Everyone has a different story.

                                        good luck

                                         

                                        scot

                                        • August 7, 2014 at 6:17 pm
                                        scots
                                        Participant

                                          I was in a similar situation. My surgeon and oncologist disagreed with interferon.  I went with the advice of my oncologist  and completed the high and low dose interferon treatment. 4 years NED in October. I have to say it was not easy by no means and I had the help ans support of my wife and family. I did work the entire year. If I was not working, I sleeping.  Everyone has a different story.

                                          good luck

                                           

                                          scot

                                          • August 7, 2014 at 6:17 pm
                                          scots
                                          Participant

                                            I was in a similar situation. My surgeon and oncologist disagreed with interferon.  I went with the advice of my oncologist  and completed the high and low dose interferon treatment. 4 years NED in October. I have to say it was not easy by no means and I had the help ans support of my wife and family. I did work the entire year. If I was not working, I sleeping.  Everyone has a different story.

                                            good luck

                                             

                                            scot

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