LDH levels

http://skincancer.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/LDH.htm

The LDH Test for Melanoma Diagnosis – What is the LDH Test for Melanoma Metastasis

"In general, the LDH level is measured in order to check for tissue damage, especially to the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, and lungs — all of which elevates the normally low LDH level in the blood. For patients with melanoma, it is used to determine if the cancer has metastasized (spread) to organs beyond the skin or lymph nodes; this usually occurs in the liver or lungs. Although LDH is not specific for melanoma, it may be useful at diagnosis or to monitor post-surgery (adjuvant) treatment. The staging system for melanoma uses the LDH level to subdivide patients with stage IV disease."

http://skincancer.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/LDH.htm

The LDH Test for Melanoma Diagnosis – What is the LDH Test for Melanoma Metastasis

"In general, the LDH level is measured in order to check for tissue damage, especially to the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, and lungs — all of which elevates the normally low LDH level in the blood. For patients with melanoma, it is used to determine if the cancer has metastasized (spread) to organs beyond the skin or lymph nodes; this usually occurs in the liver or lungs. Although LDH is not specific for melanoma, it may be useful at diagnosis or to monitor post-surgery (adjuvant) treatment. The staging system for melanoma uses the LDH level to subdivide patients with stage IV disease."

http://skincancer.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/LDH.htm

The LDH Test for Melanoma Diagnosis – What is the LDH Test for Melanoma Metastasis

"In general, the LDH level is measured in order to check for tissue damage, especially to the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, and lungs — all of which elevates the normally low LDH level in the blood. For patients with melanoma, it is used to determine if the cancer has metastasized (spread) to organs beyond the skin or lymph nodes; this usually occurs in the liver or lungs. Although LDH is not specific for melanoma, it may be useful at diagnosis or to monitor post-surgery (adjuvant) treatment. The staging system for melanoma uses the LDH level to subdivide patients with stage IV disease."

Nancy,

As Jerry's quote summarizes, LDH is used quite ofter as a marker for the quantity/activity of melanoma matastasis in the body.  I've been told that it isn't always a direct linear relationship and sometimes may not have any relationship at all but I would say you have reason to be cautiously optimistic about the LDH results.

Brian

Nancy,

As Jerry's quote summarizes, LDH is used quite ofter as a marker for the quantity/activity of melanoma matastasis in the body.  I've been told that it isn't always a direct linear relationship and sometimes may not have any relationship at all but I would say you have reason to be cautiously optimistic about the LDH results.

Brian

Nancy,

As Jerry's quote summarizes, LDH is used quite ofter as a marker for the quantity/activity of melanoma matastasis in the body.  I've been told that it isn't always a direct linear relationship and sometimes may not have any relationship at all but I would say you have reason to be cautiously optimistic about the LDH results.

Brian

Hello

I think it can mean something good for you.  My husband's was very high (1200) and the scans showed he had moved to stage IV before he started in his clinical trial and as time went on it was down in the normal range and his scans have showed that his lesions had shrunk and now are gone.

His oncologist said this was a very good sign and was pleased by it.  I am hoping the same for your husband.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED for over 10 months.

Hello

I think it can mean something good for you.  My husband's was very high (1200) and the scans showed he had moved to stage IV before he started in his clinical trial and as time went on it was down in the normal range and his scans have showed that his lesions had shrunk and now are gone.

His oncologist said this was a very good sign and was pleased by it.  I am hoping the same for your husband.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED for over 10 months.

Hello

I think it can mean something good for you.  My husband's was very high (1200) and the scans showed he had moved to stage IV before he started in his clinical trial and as time went on it was down in the normal range and his scans have showed that his lesions had shrunk and now are gone.

His oncologist said this was a very good sign and was pleased by it.  I am hoping the same for your husband.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED for over 10 months.

As in the first post, LDH raises in response to tissue damge. Other factors can raise your LDh, so it is not a tumor marker as they use in some other cancers… but it can be a good indicator if there is much change in either direction, and this is why they monitor it.Having it trend down may likely be a sign of a lessening tumor load.But you are right, it is not definitive. Nothing will tell you for certain until the scans are done. However, it sounds like you have reason for optimism here, though! Do you know how high they had gone, and what they were on the last check?

Tina

As in the first post, LDH raises in response to tissue damge. Other factors can raise your LDh, so it is not a tumor marker as they use in some other cancers… but it can be a good indicator if there is much change in either direction, and this is why they monitor it.Having it trend down may likely be a sign of a lessening tumor load.But you are right, it is not definitive. Nothing will tell you for certain until the scans are done. However, it sounds like you have reason for optimism here, though! Do you know how high they had gone, and what they were on the last check?

Tina

As in the first post, LDH raises in response to tissue damge. Other factors can raise your LDh, so it is not a tumor marker as they use in some other cancers… but it can be a good indicator if there is much change in either direction, and this is why they monitor it.Having it trend down may likely be a sign of a lessening tumor load.But you are right, it is not definitive. Nothing will tell you for certain until the scans are done. However, it sounds like you have reason for optimism here, though! Do you know how high they had gone, and what they were on the last check?

Tina

No, it is NOT easy to do with melanoma… you are right. He is blessed to have you looking into things for him and trying to figure it out. The scans will be the only definitive way to show changes, for sure. I also have found this board to be full of very helpful, and knowlegable people. Especially in this day and age of so many new treatments, it is priceless to gain from each others' experiences.

Tina

No, it is NOT easy to do with melanoma… you are right. He is blessed to have you looking into things for him and trying to figure it out. The scans will be the only definitive way to show changes, for sure. I also have found this board to be full of very helpful, and knowlegable people. Especially in this day and age of so many new treatments, it is priceless to gain from each others' experiences.

Tina

No, it is NOT easy to do with melanoma… you are right. He is blessed to have you looking into things for him and trying to figure it out. The scans will be the only definitive way to show changes, for sure. I also have found this board to be full of very helpful, and knowlegable people. Especially in this day and age of so many new treatments, it is priceless to gain from each others' experiences.

Tina