› Forums › Mucosal Melanoma Community › Mucosal Melanoma of the Vulva
- This topic has 7 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 10 months ago by
Ed Everest.
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- May 26, 2011 at 9:16 pm
I had a long conversation today with a patient who has had three boughts with mucosal melanoma of the vulva–all treated wtih surgery. Now that she has gone the third round she feels that another approach is warranted. Her surgeon is recommending resection of the vulva and lymph nodes, then treat with leukine. A gynecological oncologist has recommended radiation. She does not have the c-kit mutation.
I had a long conversation today with a patient who has had three boughts with mucosal melanoma of the vulva–all treated wtih surgery. Now that she has gone the third round she feels that another approach is warranted. Her surgeon is recommending resection of the vulva and lymph nodes, then treat with leukine. A gynecological oncologist has recommended radiation. She does not have the c-kit mutation.
This patient has no computer and no access to a computer. She has an appointment with a melanoma doctor tomorrow afternoon, but is completely confused as to what course of action to take.
Can anyone suggest questions she should ask of the doctor she sees tomorrow? I know a few doctors who have treated a lot of mucosal melanoma, but some of the particulars are likely to escape me.
I wil be speaking with her again tomorrow late morning.
Tim–MRF
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- May 27, 2011 at 7:24 am
I just would like to give my opinion about this case. It looks like the surgeon who is
recommending resection of the vulva and lymph nodes, followed by leukine could be taking
the right approach. Here is a recent thread about leukine:
http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/ned-stage-iv-and-gm-csf-leukineSurgery seems to be the better option as it is always best to remove any evidence of
melanoma if possible, as this reduces the tumour burden.Radiation given after resection can be helpful and might result in a better prognosis. The
following article about surgical treatment and radiotherapy supports this view:
http://journals.lww.com/melanomaresearch/Fulltext/2008/02000/Evidence_and_interdisciplinary_consensus_based.10.aspxI feel that radiation treatment alone without resection would result in a worse prognosis.
As to what questions to ask the doctor? Has the patient had a PET scan recently? If not,
then is it unreasonable that a PET scan be carried out soon?Best wishes
Frank from Australia
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- May 27, 2011 at 7:24 am
I just would like to give my opinion about this case. It looks like the surgeon who is
recommending resection of the vulva and lymph nodes, followed by leukine could be taking
the right approach. Here is a recent thread about leukine:
http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/ned-stage-iv-and-gm-csf-leukineSurgery seems to be the better option as it is always best to remove any evidence of
melanoma if possible, as this reduces the tumour burden.Radiation given after resection can be helpful and might result in a better prognosis. The
following article about surgical treatment and radiotherapy supports this view:
http://journals.lww.com/melanomaresearch/Fulltext/2008/02000/Evidence_and_interdisciplinary_consensus_based.10.aspxI feel that radiation treatment alone without resection would result in a worse prognosis.
As to what questions to ask the doctor? Has the patient had a PET scan recently? If not,
then is it unreasonable that a PET scan be carried out soon?Best wishes
Frank from Australia
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- June 13, 2013 at 5:57 pm
There's a thread started on 9th June 2013 called "Melanomas of the vujlva and vagina" here http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/melanomas-vulva-and-vagina which I think anyone diagnosed with melanoma of the vulva or vagina or cervix will find very useful reading. On Facebook there are two very active vulva cancer support and information groups which can be found by putting "vulva cancer" into the Facebook search window.
Cheers – Ed -
- June 13, 2013 at 5:57 pm
There's a thread started on 9th June 2013 called "Melanomas of the vujlva and vagina" here http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/melanomas-vulva-and-vagina which I think anyone diagnosed with melanoma of the vulva or vagina or cervix will find very useful reading. On Facebook there are two very active vulva cancer support and information groups which can be found by putting "vulva cancer" into the Facebook search window.
Cheers – Ed -
- June 13, 2013 at 5:57 pm
There's a thread started on 9th June 2013 called "Melanomas of the vujlva and vagina" here http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/melanomas-vulva-and-vagina which I think anyone diagnosed with melanoma of the vulva or vagina or cervix will find very useful reading. On Facebook there are two very active vulva cancer support and information groups which can be found by putting "vulva cancer" into the Facebook search window.
Cheers – Ed
Tagged: mucosal melanoma
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