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Melanoma and Corneal Transplants
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Melanoma and Corneal Transplants

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Melanoma and Corneal Transplants

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    • March 9, 2011 at 6:23 pm
    Cookie
    Participant
      Have any of you had a corneal transplant (DLEK or DSAEK) since your MM dx? I had a 1.4 Clark's Level IV on my knee in 1995. No WLE, I had a conservative excision. No SNB as it was pretty new at the time. I am still NED with 6 month checkups with my derm and yearly chest x-rays and blood work. I now have Fuchs' Dystrophy and will have to have a corneal (or partial) transplants that will require steroid drops to prevent rejection. I read many years ago about the possibility of the MM returning if you use even over the counter steroid cream.

      Have any of you had a corneal transplant (DLEK or DSAEK) since your MM dx? I had a 1.4 Clark's Level IV on my knee in 1995. No WLE, I had a conservative excision. No SNB as it was pretty new at the time. I am still NED with 6 month checkups with my derm and yearly chest x-rays and blood work. I now have Fuchs' Dystrophy and will have to have a corneal (or partial) transplants that will require steroid drops to prevent rejection. I read many years ago about the possibility of the MM returning if you use even over the counter steroid cream. Just wondering if any of you have any info on this.
       
      Thanks,
      Cookie 

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    • Replies
        • March 9, 2011 at 7:37 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Steroid use is controversial, but eye drops are basically localized and not systemic.  Long term systemic use would be a higher risk.  You are many years out since your diagnosis and the chances that you had lingering disease that would reappear if you used steroids is pretty slim.  I was diagnosed in 1992 and have had 3 primaries (no recurrences).  I have also had several eye surgeries which required the use of steroid drops.  Your eyesight is the immediate need and steroid drops are pretty critical for healing.  If it were me, I'd consider the eye surgery THE most important thing.  I, personally, would not give another thought to the steroid drop use.  You, obviously, have to do what makes YOU the most comfortable.  Good luck on your upcoming surgery, and congrats on being 16 years NED.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

            • March 9, 2011 at 9:36 pm
            Cookie
            Participant

              Thanks Janner! That was pretty much what I was thinking but wanted to make sure that I am not missing something. I used to be a regular on this board (back in the MPIP) days but drifted away as the NED years passed. I have done searches but can't even find the articles I read way back then.

              Cookie

              • March 9, 2011 at 9:36 pm
              Cookie
              Participant

                Thanks Janner! That was pretty much what I was thinking but wanted to make sure that I am not missing something. I used to be a regular on this board (back in the MPIP) days but drifted away as the NED years passed. I have done searches but can't even find the articles I read way back then.

                Cookie

              • March 9, 2011 at 7:37 pm
              Janner
              Participant

                Steroid use is controversial, but eye drops are basically localized and not systemic.  Long term systemic use would be a higher risk.  You are many years out since your diagnosis and the chances that you had lingering disease that would reappear if you used steroids is pretty slim.  I was diagnosed in 1992 and have had 3 primaries (no recurrences).  I have also had several eye surgeries which required the use of steroid drops.  Your eyesight is the immediate need and steroid drops are pretty critical for healing.  If it were me, I'd consider the eye surgery THE most important thing.  I, personally, would not give another thought to the steroid drop use.  You, obviously, have to do what makes YOU the most comfortable.  Good luck on your upcoming surgery, and congrats on being 16 years NED.

                Best wishes,

                Janner

                • March 9, 2011 at 8:26 pm
                MichaelFL
                Participant

                  I just wanted to say nice job on hitting 16 years! Whatever you are doing, just keep doing it.

                  Michael-stage 1b with 14 years to go before hitting that 16 year mark.

                    • March 9, 2011 at 9:42 pm
                    Cookie
                    Participant

                      Thanks Michael! My docs also say to keep up what I am doing as it seems to be working. I drink green tea every day. For years I took 200 mcg Selenium but now I can get it in my multi-vitamin. Sounds like you are doing good. Just remember there are lots of people out there that have been disease free for years, you can be one of them too.

                      Best wishes!

                      Cookie

                      • March 9, 2011 at 9:42 pm
                      Cookie
                      Participant

                        Thanks Michael! My docs also say to keep up what I am doing as it seems to be working. I drink green tea every day. For years I took 200 mcg Selenium but now I can get it in my multi-vitamin. Sounds like you are doing good. Just remember there are lots of people out there that have been disease free for years, you can be one of them too.

                        Best wishes!

                        Cookie

                      • March 9, 2011 at 8:26 pm
                      MichaelFL
                      Participant

                        I just wanted to say nice job on hitting 16 years! Whatever you are doing, just keep doing it.

                        Michael-stage 1b with 14 years to go before hitting that 16 year mark.

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