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Diverticulitis
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Diverticulitis

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Diverticulitis

  • Post
    • March 9, 2013 at 8:06 pm
    doro
    Participant

      Hi all,

      Hi all,

       My dad (in his 60s, Stage 3c) came down with diverticulitis after a week on interferon; fortunately, antibiotics seem to be working to reduce the inflammation. The oncologist said he can't be sure that interferon is not the culprit so he doesn't want Dad continuing with it.  This leaves us wondering about possible treatment options and, as a secondary question, how this recent illness may affect his ability to get into clinical trials. It seems like side effects for most treatments involve potential bowel/intestinal issues (e.g., ipi and colitis). We are supposed to talk with the oncologist again in a couple weeks when the inflammation has further subsided.

      Does anyone have any experience with diverticulitis or thoughts/suggestions on how to procede or ideas to bring up with the oncologist? We know at his current stage there aren't a lot of approved treatment options. There don't seem to be a lot of clinical trials out here – there are a couple for ipi (vs interferon) and braf/mek (with a placebo) but we aren't sure those seem appropriate.

      Thanks!

      Doro

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • March 9, 2013 at 10:54 pm
        POW
        Participant

          Doro, diverticulosis (out-pocketing of the large intestine) is extremely common in people over 40. When one of these out-pockets becomes inflamed (often by something you eat, like nuts) it's called diverticulitis. Interferon has been used to treat melanoma for 20 years, so I would think that interferon causing diverticulitis would be a known side effect by now. Before your father makes any final decisions aabout stopping treatment,  you might want to look into this more. 

          • March 9, 2013 at 10:54 pm
          POW
          Participant

            Doro, diverticulosis (out-pocketing of the large intestine) is extremely common in people over 40. When one of these out-pockets becomes inflamed (often by something you eat, like nuts) it's called diverticulitis. Interferon has been used to treat melanoma for 20 years, so I would think that interferon causing diverticulitis would be a known side effect by now. Before your father makes any final decisions aabout stopping treatment,  you might want to look into this more. 

              • March 10, 2013 at 12:46 am
              NYKaren
              Participant
                Hi Doro,
                Is your dad being seen by a melanoma specialist?
                Is he BRAF positive? I am IIIc unresectible and am on Zelbarof.
                Karen
                • March 10, 2013 at 12:46 am
                NYKaren
                Participant
                  Hi Doro,
                  Is your dad being seen by a melanoma specialist?
                  Is he BRAF positive? I am IIIc unresectible and am on Zelbarof.
                  Karen
                  • March 11, 2013 at 5:16 am
                  doro
                  Participant

                    Thanks POW and Karen.

                    He is 3c resectable (all known cancers removed a few months ago and scans were clear last month), so I'm not sure Zelboraf is an option. His oncologist, who is a melanoma specialist, had brought it up before though so we'll see. We will make a plan when the inflammation goes down (and the oncologist returns from out of town) in a couple weeks.

                    • March 11, 2013 at 5:16 am
                    doro
                    Participant

                      Thanks POW and Karen.

                      He is 3c resectable (all known cancers removed a few months ago and scans were clear last month), so I'm not sure Zelboraf is an option. His oncologist, who is a melanoma specialist, had brought it up before though so we'll see. We will make a plan when the inflammation goes down (and the oncologist returns from out of town) in a couple weeks.

                      • March 11, 2013 at 5:16 am
                      doro
                      Participant

                        Thanks POW and Karen.

                        He is 3c resectable (all known cancers removed a few months ago and scans were clear last month), so I'm not sure Zelboraf is an option. His oncologist, who is a melanoma specialist, had brought it up before though so we'll see. We will make a plan when the inflammation goes down (and the oncologist returns from out of town) in a couple weeks.

                        • March 10, 2013 at 12:46 am
                        NYKaren
                        Participant
                          Hi Doro,
                          Is your dad being seen by a melanoma specialist?
                          Is he BRAF positive? I am IIIc unresectible and am on Zelbarof.
                          Karen
                        • March 9, 2013 at 10:54 pm
                        POW
                        Participant

                          Doro, diverticulosis (out-pocketing of the large intestine) is extremely common in people over 40. When one of these out-pockets becomes inflamed (often by something you eat, like nuts) it's called diverticulitis. Interferon has been used to treat melanoma for 20 years, so I would think that interferon causing diverticulitis would be a known side effect by now. Before your father makes any final decisions aabout stopping treatment,  you might want to look into this more. 

                          • March 10, 2013 at 5:43 am
                          LynnLuc
                          Participant

                            I have diverticulitis thoughout my intestines. I had it before I was diagnosed and treated but was unaware until I had my first scans. I am stage 4 and NED. As a previous post states it is quite common and hasn't been an issue for me getting into any trials.- Lynn 

                            • March 10, 2013 at 5:43 am
                            LynnLuc
                            Participant

                              I have diverticulitis thoughout my intestines. I had it before I was diagnosed and treated but was unaware until I had my first scans. I am stage 4 and NED. As a previous post states it is quite common and hasn't been an issue for me getting into any trials.- Lynn 

                                • March 11, 2013 at 5:17 am
                                doro
                                Participant

                                  Thanks for the info!

                                  • March 11, 2013 at 5:17 am
                                  doro
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks for the info!

                                    • March 12, 2013 at 5:01 am
                                    Colleen66
                                    Participant

                                      Doro, just another thought.  I've seen studies where eating a gluten free diet has helped with these digestive issues that come with treatment.  Celiac Disease causes inflammation as do other autoimmune diseases, they have actually seen a benefit when started with interferon.  I will do some more research on that.  I have Celiac Disease and the diet is easy to switch to and is a great diet for cancer.  Whole foods, fruits, vegies, limited meat. Nuts and seeds, eggs and salads.

                                      Good luck to you

                                      Colleen 

                                      • March 12, 2013 at 5:01 am
                                      Colleen66
                                      Participant

                                        Doro, just another thought.  I've seen studies where eating a gluten free diet has helped with these digestive issues that come with treatment.  Celiac Disease causes inflammation as do other autoimmune diseases, they have actually seen a benefit when started with interferon.  I will do some more research on that.  I have Celiac Disease and the diet is easy to switch to and is a great diet for cancer.  Whole foods, fruits, vegies, limited meat. Nuts and seeds, eggs and salads.

                                        Good luck to you

                                        Colleen 

                                        • March 12, 2013 at 5:01 am
                                        Colleen66
                                        Participant

                                          Doro, just another thought.  I've seen studies where eating a gluten free diet has helped with these digestive issues that come with treatment.  Celiac Disease causes inflammation as do other autoimmune diseases, they have actually seen a benefit when started with interferon.  I will do some more research on that.  I have Celiac Disease and the diet is easy to switch to and is a great diet for cancer.  Whole foods, fruits, vegies, limited meat. Nuts and seeds, eggs and salads.

                                          Good luck to you

                                          Colleen 

                                          • March 11, 2013 at 5:17 am
                                          doro
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks for the info!

                                          • March 10, 2013 at 5:43 am
                                          LynnLuc
                                          Participant

                                            I have diverticulitis thoughout my intestines. I had it before I was diagnosed and treated but was unaware until I had my first scans. I am stage 4 and NED. As a previous post states it is quite common and hasn't been an issue for me getting into any trials.- Lynn 

                                            • March 17, 2013 at 3:02 am
                                            bj63
                                            Participant

                                              I've had problems with diverticulitis off and on for years, even before I was diagnosed with melanoma.  There is a lot of information on the web about dietary things suspected of sometimes causing flare-ups.  I used to eat a lot of nuts – maiinly almonds – and have found for myself that cutting them out of my diet seems to have significantly improved the problem for me.  If he continues to have issues with it, he probably should see a gastroenterologist, if he hasn't already. His onc might even have one that he recommends or works with.

                                              • March 17, 2013 at 3:02 am
                                              bj63
                                              Participant

                                                I've had problems with diverticulitis off and on for years, even before I was diagnosed with melanoma.  There is a lot of information on the web about dietary things suspected of sometimes causing flare-ups.  I used to eat a lot of nuts – maiinly almonds – and have found for myself that cutting them out of my diet seems to have significantly improved the problem for me.  If he continues to have issues with it, he probably should see a gastroenterologist, if he hasn't already. His onc might even have one that he recommends or works with.

                                                • March 17, 2013 at 3:02 am
                                                bj63
                                                Participant

                                                  I've had problems with diverticulitis off and on for years, even before I was diagnosed with melanoma.  There is a lot of information on the web about dietary things suspected of sometimes causing flare-ups.  I used to eat a lot of nuts – maiinly almonds – and have found for myself that cutting them out of my diet seems to have significantly improved the problem for me.  If he continues to have issues with it, he probably should see a gastroenterologist, if he hasn't already. His onc might even have one that he recommends or works with.

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