› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Further Update on Mum: Yervoy & Chemo Option
- This topic has 4 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 7 months ago by
FormerCaregiver.
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- September 2, 2011 at 1:51 am
Hi there,
Thought I'd keep updating the process with Mum. Since I last posted the hopefully immunology response being the vaccine & Yervoy, there have been a few changes (not significant). Immunology response was Yervoy + vaccine created via large biopsy of tumour on spine (+ chemo before Yervoy to get access to Yervoy).
Hi there,
Thought I'd keep updating the process with Mum. Since I last posted the hopefully immunology response being the vaccine & Yervoy, there have been a few changes (not significant). Immunology response was Yervoy + vaccine created via large biopsy of tumour on spine (+ chemo before Yervoy to get access to Yervoy).
Radiologist & oncologist are almost sure that the radiation that Mum had for 4 weeks on her spine had little or nil effect, as they alluded to earlier. The oncologist is not confident that Gleevac would work (which was his only alternative apart from seeing an immunologist)…which is what Dad and I suspected all along, as Mum is not positive for the C-kit mutation. We will revist this if need be – i.e. if immunology approach doesn't work.
Mum has seen her (stupid – it appears, no offence to generalise, that they are all completely full of themselves!!!!) orthapedic surgeon….he wants another MRI as he personally does not entirely believe that the radiation hasn't worked, and believes that an MRI may give him a better idea of whether radiation has affected inside of the tumour itself. He talked about all the risk factors involved in taking this large biopsy due to the location of Mum's tumour, but has agreed, however, that he will basically do the large biopsy if required, whcih is a relief.
Mum still needs to talk to the immunologist now….but Dad is talking about just trying Mum on chemo first along with Yervoy before we go into the vaccine/large biopsy part of things to minimise risk. They also said if Mum gets another metastasis that they could formulate the vaccine on that (at the moment, apart from a spot on her leg which was radiated, there are no other metastasis than the main tumour on the spine).
Things have been challenging for me lately. We received some news that there is also a genetic syndrome running in the family and my Nan has tested postive for it…which means that my Dad + myself could be carriers…which would affect my ability to have children naturally. They say bad news all happens at once (and in three's!)….
So that's where things are at now…will keep you updated once the next appointment comes up.
Hope you are all doing well and keeping positive… x A
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- September 2, 2011 at 4:24 am
Thanks for the update. If one does not at least test c-kit positive on the local stain test then there is close to zero chance that Gleevec will have any positive effect. I have not heard much good about radiation doing much to elininate large melanoma tumors. It may reduce the size to make surgery more viable, but that is about all to expect. Do you know what type of radiation device was used? For critical locations like near the heart, spine and such areas I would like to see more Proton Radiation therapy used because it does less damage to the surrounding tissue. (Insurance doesn't like the cost.)
Does your Mother have a melanoma specialist surgeon? She should see one. Hopefully no new tumors and the spine one starts regressing.
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- September 2, 2011 at 4:24 am
Thanks for the update. If one does not at least test c-kit positive on the local stain test then there is close to zero chance that Gleevec will have any positive effect. I have not heard much good about radiation doing much to elininate large melanoma tumors. It may reduce the size to make surgery more viable, but that is about all to expect. Do you know what type of radiation device was used? For critical locations like near the heart, spine and such areas I would like to see more Proton Radiation therapy used because it does less damage to the surrounding tissue. (Insurance doesn't like the cost.)
Does your Mother have a melanoma specialist surgeon? She should see one. Hopefully no new tumors and the spine one starts regressing.
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- September 2, 2011 at 4:36 am
Thanks for the latest update, Ashley. Unfortunately, melanoma tends to be resistant to radiotherapy, although this can usually limit tumor growth for a while.
I wonder if the orthopaedic surgeon is the best person to be dealing with regarding your mum's spinal tumour? I feel that it could be a good idea to consult a surgical oncologist, as operating on malignant tumours can be a very specilised field.
Sorry to read about the genetic syndrome in your family. Humans are very complicated, and most people will have some genes that may not be perfect resulting in health challenges at some stage of life.
I hope that things will improve soon.
Take care
Frank from Australia
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- September 2, 2011 at 4:36 am
Thanks for the latest update, Ashley. Unfortunately, melanoma tends to be resistant to radiotherapy, although this can usually limit tumor growth for a while.
I wonder if the orthopaedic surgeon is the best person to be dealing with regarding your mum's spinal tumour? I feel that it could be a good idea to consult a surgical oncologist, as operating on malignant tumours can be a very specilised field.
Sorry to read about the genetic syndrome in your family. Humans are very complicated, and most people will have some genes that may not be perfect resulting in health challenges at some stage of life.
I hope that things will improve soon.
Take care
Frank from Australia
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