MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Multiple melanomas in close proximity and imiquimod
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.

Multiple melanomas in close proximity and imiquimod

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Multiple melanomas in close proximity and imiquimod

  • Post
    • January 16, 2014 at 10:01 pm
    profgal43
    Participant

      Hi everyone, 

      I am curious to know if anyone else has had similar experiences to mine and if so how your treatment proceeded.  I also just wanted to reach out and connect with others who are fighting this illness and winning.  

      My first melanoma was stage one in 2009. It was on the front of my right lower leg.  My second was about three inches from the first and it was excised six months ago; it was also stage one.  I am currently waiting for surgery next week for melanoma #3 and #4, both again on the front of my lower right leg.  I am now enrolled in a melanoma clinic at my local research hospital.  The docs say the melanomas are not satellites, but there is a "field of damage" on that leg and I am likely to keep growing melanomas. (I have also had five other spots biopsied in that same area and all had abnormal cells.) The other issue I have is I have many moles (100+) and the moles that have been melanoma look just like the rest. I have identified the last three based only on the fact that they were new and growing and in the area of my original surgery. I feel like a ticking time bomb!  There are twelve new little moles on that leg right now and are they anywhere else?? Nerve wracking.  I do know that I have been very lucky to have them diagnosed so early thus far.  I had a lymph node biopsy 6 months ago and it was clear.  

      Has anyone else had similar experiences?  What course of treatment have your docs followed?  My melanoma doc is going to treat my leg with imiquimod after the surgery.  Has anyone else had experience with this? I know its experimental, but it seems like its worth a shot as the only other option is to keep cutting and cutting and hope we get them all.  

      Any words of wisdom or encouragement you have to offer is appreciated.  I have been waiting for close to two months now for this surgery and my anxiety has been through the roof.

      Best wished and good thoughts and prayers for all of you, 

      Karen

       

       

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 17, 2014 at 3:17 am
        Janner
        Participant

          I've never really seen anyone post with a situation like yours.  Sounds like the "field of damage" is something significant.  I know my doc has used Immiquod (Aldera) to reduce the size of Lentigo Maligna lesions (mostly on the face) before using Mohs to remove the melanoma.  But he only does that for Lentigo Maligna, not any other type of melanoma.  He was running a clinical trial using Aldera and was definitely having good results.  Do you know your "type" of melanoma?  I can't offer much advice but I agree, it's probably worth a shot!

          Janner

          Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

           

            • January 17, 2014 at 3:29 pm
            profgal43
            Participant

              Thank you, Janner, for your response.  This is one of those situations where I would definitely prefer not to be unique!! I really want to understand why this is happening, and what the long term implications might be, but there are no answers.  I agree the trial with imiquimod is worth a shot. My doctor has explained that it is experimental but he is optimistic that it could work in my case.  It's very surprising to me, both in my case and in the stories I have read from others here how much we still don't know about melanoma.  As my doc explained, there isn't a lot of money to be made in melanoma research so trials are small and few and far between. 

              My melanoma would be considered superficial spreading melanoma I believe.  

              Thank you again for your response! 

              Be well!  Karen

              • January 23, 2014 at 12:23 am
              profgal43
              Participant

                I had two wide excisions today and about 12 more punch biopsies.  If anyone wants support and has some to share, I would be happy to share information and keep in touch.  I don't know anyone with melanoma and mine will be back. Let me know. Thanks!

                • January 27, 2014 at 4:41 pm
                Pink
                Participant

                  I had isolated local infusion just in my left leg where there were 9 new nodules. They put a tourniquet way up on the thigh and the medication only goes to that leg and they then wash it out. On my first PET after I had pretty good results all the. Ovules had disappeared or got smaller.

                  • January 27, 2014 at 4:41 pm
                  Pink
                  Participant

                    I had isolated local infusion just in my left leg where there were 9 new nodules. They put a tourniquet way up on the thigh and the medication only goes to that leg and they then wash it out. On my first PET after I had pretty good results all the. Ovules had disappeared or got smaller.

                    • January 27, 2014 at 4:41 pm
                    Pink
                    Participant

                      I had isolated local infusion just in my left leg where there were 9 new nodules. They put a tourniquet way up on the thigh and the medication only goes to that leg and they then wash it out. On my first PET after I had pretty good results all the. Ovules had disappeared or got smaller.

                      • January 23, 2014 at 12:23 am
                      profgal43
                      Participant

                        I had two wide excisions today and about 12 more punch biopsies.  If anyone wants support and has some to share, I would be happy to share information and keep in touch.  I don't know anyone with melanoma and mine will be back. Let me know. Thanks!

                        • January 23, 2014 at 12:23 am
                        profgal43
                        Participant

                          I had two wide excisions today and about 12 more punch biopsies.  If anyone wants support and has some to share, I would be happy to share information and keep in touch.  I don't know anyone with melanoma and mine will be back. Let me know. Thanks!

                          • January 17, 2014 at 3:29 pm
                          profgal43
                          Participant

                            Thank you, Janner, for your response.  This is one of those situations where I would definitely prefer not to be unique!! I really want to understand why this is happening, and what the long term implications might be, but there are no answers.  I agree the trial with imiquimod is worth a shot. My doctor has explained that it is experimental but he is optimistic that it could work in my case.  It's very surprising to me, both in my case and in the stories I have read from others here how much we still don't know about melanoma.  As my doc explained, there isn't a lot of money to be made in melanoma research so trials are small and few and far between. 

                            My melanoma would be considered superficial spreading melanoma I believe.  

                            Thank you again for your response! 

                            Be well!  Karen

                            • January 17, 2014 at 3:29 pm
                            profgal43
                            Participant

                              Thank you, Janner, for your response.  This is one of those situations where I would definitely prefer not to be unique!! I really want to understand why this is happening, and what the long term implications might be, but there are no answers.  I agree the trial with imiquimod is worth a shot. My doctor has explained that it is experimental but he is optimistic that it could work in my case.  It's very surprising to me, both in my case and in the stories I have read from others here how much we still don't know about melanoma.  As my doc explained, there isn't a lot of money to be made in melanoma research so trials are small and few and far between. 

                              My melanoma would be considered superficial spreading melanoma I believe.  

                              Thank you again for your response! 

                              Be well!  Karen

                            • January 17, 2014 at 3:17 am
                            Janner
                            Participant

                              I've never really seen anyone post with a situation like yours.  Sounds like the "field of damage" is something significant.  I know my doc has used Immiquod (Aldera) to reduce the size of Lentigo Maligna lesions (mostly on the face) before using Mohs to remove the melanoma.  But he only does that for Lentigo Maligna, not any other type of melanoma.  He was running a clinical trial using Aldera and was definitely having good results.  Do you know your "type" of melanoma?  I can't offer much advice but I agree, it's probably worth a shot!

                              Janner

                              Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

                               

                              • January 17, 2014 at 3:17 am
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                I've never really seen anyone post with a situation like yours.  Sounds like the "field of damage" is something significant.  I know my doc has used Immiquod (Aldera) to reduce the size of Lentigo Maligna lesions (mostly on the face) before using Mohs to remove the melanoma.  But he only does that for Lentigo Maligna, not any other type of melanoma.  He was running a clinical trial using Aldera and was definitely having good results.  Do you know your "type" of melanoma?  I can't offer much advice but I agree, it's probably worth a shot!

                                Janner

                                Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

                                 

                            Viewing 2 reply threads

                            Tagged: 

                            • 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.