Duke consult on Monday with Dr. Tyler
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Duke consult on Monday with Dr. Tyler

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Duke consult on Monday with Dr. Tyler

  • Post
    • March 28, 2014 at 11:23 am
    Leslie’sHusband
    Participant

    Les and I are heading to Duke on Monday morning for a consult with Dr. Tyler.  I know that we are going to discuss the clinical trial "Feasibility and Safety of Minimally Invasive Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Melanoma".  Based on conversations with our local surgical oncologist, the "normal" surgery sounds pretty involved for an outpatient surgery.  Moving a muscle, or at least part of a muscle, to cover exposed major blood vessels sounds a little bit on the "involved" side to us.  Les wants to do whatever it takes to make sure that this cancer is out of her body, though. 

    We are also going to ask about the E1609 trial as well, though I will admit that I don't like the statistics I'm seeing on the Interferon success rates.  Interferon was the only treatment offered locally.

    Any advice on what questions to ask would be greatly appreciated.

     

    David

Viewing 8 reply threads
  • Replies
      • March 28, 2014 at 12:38 pm
      hbecker
      Participant

      David,

         Two questions – first, have Leslie ask the doctor what assurance there is that doing the surgery will make sure the cancer is out of her body. I'm pretty sure I know the answer – there is no assurance. So, whether to have the surgery boils down to a risk/benefit analysis, in my opinion.

         Second, find out how much this procedure has been tested, not so much for effectiveness as for side effects and what can/does go wrong.

         Best of luck – please let us know the answers and what you decide.

      ~Hazel

      • March 28, 2014 at 12:38 pm
      hbecker
      Participant

      David,

         Two questions – first, have Leslie ask the doctor what assurance there is that doing the surgery will make sure the cancer is out of her body. I'm pretty sure I know the answer – there is no assurance. So, whether to have the surgery boils down to a risk/benefit analysis, in my opinion.

         Second, find out how much this procedure has been tested, not so much for effectiveness as for side effects and what can/does go wrong.

         Best of luck – please let us know the answers and what you decide.

      ~Hazel

      • March 28, 2014 at 12:38 pm
      hbecker
      Participant

      David,

         Two questions – first, have Leslie ask the doctor what assurance there is that doing the surgery will make sure the cancer is out of her body. I'm pretty sure I know the answer – there is no assurance. So, whether to have the surgery boils down to a risk/benefit analysis, in my opinion.

         Second, find out how much this procedure has been tested, not so much for effectiveness as for side effects and what can/does go wrong.

         Best of luck – please let us know the answers and what you decide.

      ~Hazel

        • March 30, 2014 at 9:36 pm
        Leslie’sHusband
        Participant

        Thank you, Hazel.

        I'll post back after the consult tomorrow.

        • March 30, 2014 at 9:36 pm
        Leslie’sHusband
        Participant

        Thank you, Hazel.

        I'll post back after the consult tomorrow.

        • March 30, 2014 at 9:36 pm
        Leslie’sHusband
        Participant

        Thank you, Hazel.

        I'll post back after the consult tomorrow.

      • March 29, 2014 at 12:12 am
      BrianP
      Participant

      David,

      I don't really have any suggestions for questions but I will tell you that Dr. Tyler is a fantastic surgeon.  I think you are in great hands with him.  He may seem a little stiff and dry but after you get to know him you will occasionally see him crack a smile.  He is really highly regarded in the melanoma surgical oncology community.

      Brian

      • March 29, 2014 at 12:12 am
      BrianP
      Participant

      David,

      I don't really have any suggestions for questions but I will tell you that Dr. Tyler is a fantastic surgeon.  I think you are in great hands with him.  He may seem a little stiff and dry but after you get to know him you will occasionally see him crack a smile.  He is really highly regarded in the melanoma surgical oncology community.

      Brian

      • March 29, 2014 at 12:12 am
      BrianP
      Participant

      David,

      I don't really have any suggestions for questions but I will tell you that Dr. Tyler is a fantastic surgeon.  I think you are in great hands with him.  He may seem a little stiff and dry but after you get to know him you will occasionally see him crack a smile.  He is really highly regarded in the melanoma surgical oncology community.

      Brian

      • March 29, 2014 at 1:51 am
      Momrn5
      Participant

      After much research I decided to have an inguinal node dissection.  I was lucky in that they were able to easily access my nodes without having to move muscle, etc. so that made recovery time that much easier. It was still no walk in the park.  The thing is, there is a study out there now that says for the 20% that have spread to additional nodes! this surgery is a life extender or curative. So, I wasn't ready to take my chances by not doing it.  Best wishes in your decision. Not an easy road for sure.

       

      • March 29, 2014 at 1:51 am
      Momrn5
      Participant

      After much research I decided to have an inguinal node dissection.  I was lucky in that they were able to easily access my nodes without having to move muscle, etc. so that made recovery time that much easier. It was still no walk in the park.  The thing is, there is a study out there now that says for the 20% that have spread to additional nodes! this surgery is a life extender or curative. So, I wasn't ready to take my chances by not doing it.  Best wishes in your decision. Not an easy road for sure.

       

      • March 29, 2014 at 1:51 am
      Momrn5
      Participant

      After much research I decided to have an inguinal node dissection.  I was lucky in that they were able to easily access my nodes without having to move muscle, etc. so that made recovery time that much easier. It was still no walk in the park.  The thing is, there is a study out there now that says for the 20% that have spread to additional nodes! this surgery is a life extender or curative. So, I wasn't ready to take my chances by not doing it.  Best wishes in your decision. Not an easy road for sure.

       

        • March 30, 2014 at 9:26 pm
        Leslie’sHusband
        Participant

        Momrn5,

        She is definitely having the inguinal node dissection, the only question right now is who will be doing it.  We both like the local surgical oncologist, but we wanted to look into the minimal invasive surgery at Duke, also.  We should know more by this time tomorrow.

        Thank you,

        Dave

        • March 30, 2014 at 9:26 pm
        Leslie’sHusband
        Participant

        Momrn5,

        She is definitely having the inguinal node dissection, the only question right now is who will be doing it.  We both like the local surgical oncologist, but we wanted to look into the minimal invasive surgery at Duke, also.  We should know more by this time tomorrow.

        Thank you,

        Dave

        • March 30, 2014 at 9:26 pm
        Leslie’sHusband
        Participant

        Momrn5,

        She is definitely having the inguinal node dissection, the only question right now is who will be doing it.  We both like the local surgical oncologist, but we wanted to look into the minimal invasive surgery at Duke, also.  We should know more by this time tomorrow.

        Thank you,

        Dave

Viewing 8 reply threads
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