MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Is surgery the best option
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Is surgery the best option

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Is surgery the best option

  • Post
    • December 13, 2013 at 1:46 pm
    bradcope1
    Participant

      Yesterday we were told by our oncologist that although our daughters tumor in her lung is operable, the reason they recommended systemic (IL 2) over VATS was the short duration of time between initial primary 3B diagonsis and diagonsis of lung tumor in stage 4—exactly 2 years. They say 3 years is a better indicator of success. In my last conversation with the surgeon, his reasons to delay surgery were to achieve 3-6 months assurance that there was only one site. We are well within that time frame with only one tumor. We are soliciting second opinions Sloan and Sarah Cannon on this, but would be interested in hearing from anyone with experience, long or short time between reoccurance or CR.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • December 13, 2013 at 8:49 pm
        killmel
        Participant

          melanoma is totally upredictable. There are no guidelenes for a timeframe for a recurrence. Some people on this board have gove 5, 10, 15 and yes even 20 yrs and then got a recurrence. I had a recurrence at 4.5 yrs. May I suggest take care of the cancer now and do not look at the future recurrence. Deal with recurrence as they happen! That is my 2 cents.

            • December 19, 2013 at 1:21 pm
            bradcope1
            Participant

              Thank you all, we are leaning this way as well. 

              • December 19, 2013 at 1:21 pm
              bradcope1
              Participant

                Thank you all, we are leaning this way as well. 

                • December 19, 2013 at 1:21 pm
                bradcope1
                Participant

                  Thank you all, we are leaning this way as well. 

                • December 13, 2013 at 8:49 pm
                killmel
                Participant

                  melanoma is totally upredictable. There are no guidelenes for a timeframe for a recurrence. Some people on this board have gove 5, 10, 15 and yes even 20 yrs and then got a recurrence. I had a recurrence at 4.5 yrs. May I suggest take care of the cancer now and do not look at the future recurrence. Deal with recurrence as they happen! That is my 2 cents.

                  • December 13, 2013 at 8:49 pm
                  killmel
                  Participant

                    melanoma is totally upredictable. There are no guidelenes for a timeframe for a recurrence. Some people on this board have gove 5, 10, 15 and yes even 20 yrs and then got a recurrence. I had a recurrence at 4.5 yrs. May I suggest take care of the cancer now and do not look at the future recurrence. Deal with recurrence as they happen! That is my 2 cents.

                    • December 17, 2013 at 3:46 am
                    Jocks wife
                    Participant

                      Hi, I had surgery on 5 separate sites (3 subcutaneous, adrenal and pancreas)after 5years between primary and stage 4. That was 20 months ago, and I remain disease free, so my views are biased, but the cure rates for survival are still the best with surgery.

                      I understand your surgeons wish to wait and see, as everyone's disease is different, if there are more tumours just starting to grow a systematic therapy might be a better option, but my opinion remains, get it out!

                      I am not a religious person, I told my surgeon that he is my higher being, but I wish your daughter a positive outcome. A solitary tumour can offer you hope, there are long term survivors out there who have had a solitary tumour surgically removed.

                      Best wishes to you and your daughter.

                      • December 17, 2013 at 3:46 am
                      Jocks wife
                      Participant

                        Hi, I had surgery on 5 separate sites (3 subcutaneous, adrenal and pancreas)after 5years between primary and stage 4. That was 20 months ago, and I remain disease free, so my views are biased, but the cure rates for survival are still the best with surgery.

                        I understand your surgeons wish to wait and see, as everyone's disease is different, if there are more tumours just starting to grow a systematic therapy might be a better option, but my opinion remains, get it out!

                        I am not a religious person, I told my surgeon that he is my higher being, but I wish your daughter a positive outcome. A solitary tumour can offer you hope, there are long term survivors out there who have had a solitary tumour surgically removed.

                        Best wishes to you and your daughter.

                        • December 17, 2013 at 3:46 am
                        Jocks wife
                        Participant

                          Hi, I had surgery on 5 separate sites (3 subcutaneous, adrenal and pancreas)after 5years between primary and stage 4. That was 20 months ago, and I remain disease free, so my views are biased, but the cure rates for survival are still the best with surgery.

                          I understand your surgeons wish to wait and see, as everyone's disease is different, if there are more tumours just starting to grow a systematic therapy might be a better option, but my opinion remains, get it out!

                          I am not a religious person, I told my surgeon that he is my higher being, but I wish your daughter a positive outcome. A solitary tumour can offer you hope, there are long term survivors out there who have had a solitary tumour surgically removed.

                          Best wishes to you and your daughter.

                      Viewing 5 reply threads
                      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                      About the MRF Patient Forum

                      The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                      The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                      Popular Topics