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Interferon alpha therapy following questionable diagnosis

Forums General Melanoma Community Interferon alpha therapy following questionable diagnosis

  • Post
    none1234
    Participant

      Hey guys,

      I'm a bit lost and was hoping for some advice. I was diagnosed with a benign spitz naevus at the age of 13 which was surgically removed back then. In 2010 i noticed a small lump on the edge of the scar tissue from the old excision and had it removed. Back then it was identified as excess scar tissue (hyperplastic scar tissue). The following years the lump returned and was removed 3 times (always approx 12 months in between) with identical characterization.

      Now in 2014 the last excision was reviewed with more care and identified as a desmoplastic melanoma with slightly increased proliferation no ulceration and no apparent metastasis in the draining sentinels, no circulating S100 in the bloodstream and a clear sonography.

      Due to the fact that the tumor was mistaken for hyperplastic scar tissue there was never a clear staging or assessment of invasion depth.

      After the last excision the area stayed free of any unusual changes and i entered a regular postoperative screening schedule. 

      Now to the crucial part: My treating institution scheduled me with a low dose intron-A therapy which is to be continued for 18 months. I am on it for a month now and the side effects are very very very unpleasent.

      To my understanding the overall benefit of Interferon for survival was seldomly demonstrated. 

      Does it make sense to continue the treatment and risk my general good health and healthy mental state (retinal damage/depression/general immunosuppression)? I would suspect that the reoccuring growth was due to the fact that it was never fully removed and always still there right after surgery. Overall malignancy was suspected but not finally clearly demonstrated. 

      I can not get a definite statment from my responsible institution.. their remark was that they have to recommend it when the staging is not clear.

      Best,

      Lars

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        Ginger8888
        Participant

          Have they done any scans?…I did the 30 day HD interferon with some fatigue but it did not work for me so i just finished Yervoy and will have scans on the 23rd..Good luck

          Ginger8888
          Participant

            Have they done any scans?…I did the 30 day HD interferon with some fatigue but it did not work for me so i just finished Yervoy and will have scans on the 23rd..Good luck

              none1234
              Participant

                Hi, no scans yet. Only the ultrasonic of arm, shoulder and upper body. They will be setting up an MRT in about 5 months but till then this is it. Best of luck for your scan.

                 

                Ginger8888
                Participant

                  Thank you so much..I hope you find the answers you're looking for..

                  Ginger8888
                  Participant

                    Thank you so much..I hope you find the answers you're looking for..

                    Ginger8888
                    Participant

                      Thank you so much..I hope you find the answers you're looking for..

                      none1234
                      Participant

                        Hi, no scans yet. Only the ultrasonic of arm, shoulder and upper body. They will be setting up an MRT in about 5 months but till then this is it. Best of luck for your scan.

                         

                        none1234
                        Participant

                          Hi, no scans yet. Only the ultrasonic of arm, shoulder and upper body. They will be setting up an MRT in about 5 months but till then this is it. Best of luck for your scan.

                           

                        Ginger8888
                        Participant

                          Have they done any scans?…I did the 30 day HD interferon with some fatigue but it did not work for me so i just finished Yervoy and will have scans on the 23rd..Good luck

                          Janner
                          Participant

                            Helpful info on whether or not to do Interferon:

                             

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

                              none1234
                              Participant

                                Thanks. That's pretty much consistent with the publications I read.

                                none1234
                                Participant

                                  Thanks. That's pretty much consistent with the publications I read.

                                  none1234
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks. That's pretty much consistent with the publications I read.

                                  Janner
                                  Participant

                                    Helpful info on whether or not to do Interferon:

                                     

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

                                    Janner
                                    Participant

                                      Helpful info on whether or not to do Interferon:

                                       

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

                                      Melissag0624
                                      Participant
                                        My question to you is can you live with not doing anything? My answer to that question was no and that’s why no matter what my final outcome is I know looking back I did everything possible to beat this. It is miserable but the alternative to me was more miserable. Keep trucking, it won’t last forever.
                                        Melissag0624
                                        Participant
                                          My question to you is can you live with not doing anything? My answer to that question was no and that’s why no matter what my final outcome is I know looking back I did everything possible to beat this. It is miserable but the alternative to me was more miserable. Keep trucking, it won’t last forever.
                                          Melissag0624
                                          Participant
                                            My question to you is can you live with not doing anything? My answer to that question was no and that’s why no matter what my final outcome is I know looking back I did everything possible to beat this. It is miserable but the alternative to me was more miserable. Keep trucking, it won’t last forever.
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