New here and looking for some insight.

Thank you Kevin.  That was my thought process on it as well.  Even if he IS a IIB or IIC, which I suppose is almost a matter of opinion given his "borderline" scenerio, I just don't see the POSSIBILITY of the marginal at best benefits to be worth the horrible side effects and toxcicity of the treatment in his particular case.  If he were a young, otherwise healthy individual, I could possibly make a case for it.  But being as he would be entering into this treatment already significantly compromised, I just don't see this being an option that makes sense for HIM.  I certainly wouldn't knock anyone for taking the treatment, as each case is different, and I completely understand the psycological need to do SOMETHING.  "Watch and wait" is probably a difficult thing to wrap your head around when you're the one with the cancer.  I guess I just feel a bit guilty for encouraging my Dad to not accept treatment, but I'm truly just trying to do what's best for him and what will give him the highest quality of life for whatever tiime he has remaining here in this world.  I feel like the rug was pulled out from under him here.  He was so pleased that we were able to get him an appt. with a Melanoma Specialist who is considered to be world-renowned.  I was the one who recommended him!  And now I'm disagreeing with his treatment plan after the very first appt.  My Dad seemed to really like Dr. Kirkwood, and I don't want to damage that relationship for possible future interactions.  It all just seems like a very slippery slope at the moment. 

Thank you Hazel.  Yes, I've considered that option as well.  They live near Pittsburgh.  I live in Lancaster County.  I had offered to set up a 2nd (or 3rd as the case may be) opinion for him somewhere near me, such as Penn or Johns Hopkins.  This all just happened yesterday, and I think he's still a bit irritated by all of it.  He didn't seem too interested in muddying the waters even further by bringing in additional opinions at this time, but he may change his mind as the shock of yesterday wears off. 

Question regarding your husband: Did he have lymph node involvement that made him a stage IIB?  From what I can gather, the only thing that would possibly bump my Dad into IIB territory is the size of the tumor.  I believe 4mm is the "cutoff" so to speak between A and B, and his was 4mm. Possibly that combined with his positive mitotic activity and "focal ulceration" (not really clear on what that means) could conceivably bump him to IIB or even IIC I guess.  I really don't know.   I do know that the original report from the hospital and/or surgeon where he had his WLE has him down as a IIA. 

Is there a reliable source that you're aware of that lists open clinical trials based on staging?  I'm certainly not opposed to him receiving treatment. I just don't think, in his case, Interferon is the answer we're looking for.  A quick search on melanomacenter.org showed no results for clinical trials for stage II.

Unfortunately, either Philly or Baltimore would be some significant traveling for them, but I suppose it's not out of the question if the right situation presented itself.  It would obviously be much more convenient to continue with UPMC, as they are also very highly recommended, but I'm not sure how Dr, Kirkwood is going to respond if Dad decides against the Interferon.  I would THINK that he would be respectful of that decision, but I haven't met him and I really have no clue. 

Thank you Hazel.  Yes, I've considered that option as well.  They live near Pittsburgh.  I live in Lancaster County.  I had offered to set up a 2nd (or 3rd as the case may be) opinion for him somewhere near me, such as Penn or Johns Hopkins.  This all just happened yesterday, and I think he's still a bit irritated by all of it.  He didn't seem too interested in muddying the waters even further by bringing in additional opinions at this time, but he may change his mind as the shock of yesterday wears off. 

Question regarding your husband: Did he have lymph node involvement that made him a stage IIB?  From what I can gather, the only thing that would possibly bump my Dad into IIB territory is the size of the tumor.  I believe 4mm is the "cutoff" so to speak between A and B, and his was 4mm. Possibly that combined with his positive mitotic activity and "focal ulceration" (not really clear on what that means) could conceivably bump him to IIB or even IIC I guess.  I really don't know.   I do know that the original report from the hospital and/or surgeon where he had his WLE has him down as a IIA. 

Is there a reliable source that you're aware of that lists open clinical trials based on staging?  I'm certainly not opposed to him receiving treatment. I just don't think, in his case, Interferon is the answer we're looking for.  A quick search on melanomacenter.org showed no results for clinical trials for stage II.

Unfortunately, either Philly or Baltimore would be some significant traveling for them, but I suppose it's not out of the question if the right situation presented itself.  It would obviously be much more convenient to continue with UPMC, as they are also very highly recommended, but I'm not sure how Dr, Kirkwood is going to respond if Dad decides against the Interferon.  I would THINK that he would be respectful of that decision, but I haven't met him and I really have no clue. 

Thank you Hazel.  Yes, I've considered that option as well.  They live near Pittsburgh.  I live in Lancaster County.  I had offered to set up a 2nd (or 3rd as the case may be) opinion for him somewhere near me, such as Penn or Johns Hopkins.  This all just happened yesterday, and I think he's still a bit irritated by all of it.  He didn't seem too interested in muddying the waters even further by bringing in additional opinions at this time, but he may change his mind as the shock of yesterday wears off. 

Question regarding your husband: Did he have lymph node involvement that made him a stage IIB?  From what I can gather, the only thing that would possibly bump my Dad into IIB territory is the size of the tumor.  I believe 4mm is the "cutoff" so to speak between A and B, and his was 4mm. Possibly that combined with his positive mitotic activity and "focal ulceration" (not really clear on what that means) could conceivably bump him to IIB or even IIC I guess.  I really don't know.   I do know that the original report from the hospital and/or surgeon where he had his WLE has him down as a IIA. 

Is there a reliable source that you're aware of that lists open clinical trials based on staging?  I'm certainly not opposed to him receiving treatment. I just don't think, in his case, Interferon is the answer we're looking for.  A quick search on melanomacenter.org showed no results for clinical trials for stage II.

Unfortunately, either Philly or Baltimore would be some significant traveling for them, but I suppose it's not out of the question if the right situation presented itself.  It would obviously be much more convenient to continue with UPMC, as they are also very highly recommended, but I'm not sure how Dr, Kirkwood is going to respond if Dad decides against the Interferon.  I would THINK that he would be respectful of that decision, but I haven't met him and I really have no clue. 

Thank you Kevin.  That was my thought process on it as well.  Even if he IS a IIB or IIC, which I suppose is almost a matter of opinion given his "borderline" scenerio, I just don't see the POSSIBILITY of the marginal at best benefits to be worth the horrible side effects and toxcicity of the treatment in his particular case.  If he were a young, otherwise healthy individual, I could possibly make a case for it.  But being as he would be entering into this treatment already significantly compromised, I just don't see this being an option that makes sense for HIM.  I certainly wouldn't knock anyone for taking the treatment, as each case is different, and I completely understand the psycological need to do SOMETHING.  "Watch and wait" is probably a difficult thing to wrap your head around when you're the one with the cancer.  I guess I just feel a bit guilty for encouraging my Dad to not accept treatment, but I'm truly just trying to do what's best for him and what will give him the highest quality of life for whatever tiime he has remaining here in this world.  I feel like the rug was pulled out from under him here.  He was so pleased that we were able to get him an appt. with a Melanoma Specialist who is considered to be world-renowned.  I was the one who recommended him!  And now I'm disagreeing with his treatment plan after the very first appt.  My Dad seemed to really like Dr. Kirkwood, and I don't want to damage that relationship for possible future interactions.  It all just seems like a very slippery slope at the moment. 

Thank you Kevin.  That was my thought process on it as well.  Even if he IS a IIB or IIC, which I suppose is almost a matter of opinion given his "borderline" scenerio, I just don't see the POSSIBILITY of the marginal at best benefits to be worth the horrible side effects and toxcicity of the treatment in his particular case.  If he were a young, otherwise healthy individual, I could possibly make a case for it.  But being as he would be entering into this treatment already significantly compromised, I just don't see this being an option that makes sense for HIM.  I certainly wouldn't knock anyone for taking the treatment, as each case is different, and I completely understand the psycological need to do SOMETHING.  "Watch and wait" is probably a difficult thing to wrap your head around when you're the one with the cancer.  I guess I just feel a bit guilty for encouraging my Dad to not accept treatment, but I'm truly just trying to do what's best for him and what will give him the highest quality of life for whatever tiime he has remaining here in this world.  I feel like the rug was pulled out from under him here.  He was so pleased that we were able to get him an appt. with a Melanoma Specialist who is considered to be world-renowned.  I was the one who recommended him!  And now I'm disagreeing with his treatment plan after the very first appt.  My Dad seemed to really like Dr. Kirkwood, and I don't want to damage that relationship for possible future interactions.  It all just seems like a very slippery slope at the moment. 

Thanks so much Janner.  It helps to know that I'm not in this alone, and that someone else has been in my shoes.  I've read a lot of your replies here on the board, and I'd like to thank you personally for your contribution to this site and the invaluable insight you're able to share.  My mother just doesn't have the medical understanding to make any informed decisions on the matter, and unfortunately neither does my Dad.  That puts a lot of it on my shoulders.  I don't mind, as I love my family deeply.  But I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing before I make a true recommendation to Dad, as I know that he'll likely do whatever I suggest. 

Thanks so much Janner.  It helps to know that I'm not in this alone, and that someone else has been in my shoes.  I've read a lot of your replies here on the board, and I'd like to thank you personally for your contribution to this site and the invaluable insight you're able to share.  My mother just doesn't have the medical understanding to make any informed decisions on the matter, and unfortunately neither does my Dad.  That puts a lot of it on my shoulders.  I don't mind, as I love my family deeply.  But I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing before I make a true recommendation to Dad, as I know that he'll likely do whatever I suggest. 

Also,  my condolences on the loss of your Dad.  He was extremely blessed to have a son like you in his corner. 

Also,  my condolences on the loss of your Dad.  He was extremely blessed to have a son like you in his corner. 

Also,  my condolences on the loss of your Dad.  He was extremely blessed to have a son like you in his corner. 

Oooops!  So very sorry.  I should have checked your profile perhaps.  In any case, your father was extremely fortunate to have a loving CHILD (in this case a DAUGHTER) such as you!  🙂

Oooops!  So very sorry.  I should have checked your profile perhaps.  In any case, your father was extremely fortunate to have a loving CHILD (in this case a DAUGHTER) such as you!  🙂

Oooops!  So very sorry.  I should have checked your profile perhaps.  In any case, your father was extremely fortunate to have a loving CHILD (in this case a DAUGHTER) such as you!  🙂

Thanks so much Janner.  It helps to know that I'm not in this alone, and that someone else has been in my shoes.  I've read a lot of your replies here on the board, and I'd like to thank you personally for your contribution to this site and the invaluable insight you're able to share.  My mother just doesn't have the medical understanding to make any informed decisions on the matter, and unfortunately neither does my Dad.  That puts a lot of it on my shoulders.  I don't mind, as I love my family deeply.  But I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing before I make a true recommendation to Dad, as I know that he'll likely do whatever I suggest. 

Thank you.  That's valuable advice for sure.  Dad is having a PetScan tomorrow, and I think we'll decide what direction to go after we get results from that.  Obviously, if there are areas of concern, that will need to be addressed first.  If it's clean, we'll make a decision on the Interferon, and probably look into getting a 3rd opinion. Unfortunately, I don't think the 3rd opinion will matter much in terms of whether or not to do the Interferon.  I believe that should be started within 70 days of WLE and I highly doubt we'd be able to get an appointment with a reputable specialist in that short of a time period.  We're already a little over a month and half removed from his initial surgery.  I need to arrange to get a all of his records in my possession soon though, as once we have chosen a 3rd opinion, I can get that information to them ASAP.

This is a relentless disease.  I think we all breathed a sigh of relief after the surgery and the initial positive news regarding his SLNB.  But that feeling was short-lived, as we were soon thrown back into decision making process regarding possible treatment.  I guess I'm guilty in that I kinda just expected the Oncologist to take the "watch and wait" approach in my Dad's case.  When he recommended Interferon, it definitely threw us all for a bit of a loop.  But we'll get it figured out and continue the fight.  "One step at a time" is what I keep preaching to my Dad.  "We'll cross bridges as we come to them".  But that advice is often easier to say than practice.  Thanks again! 

Thank you.  That's valuable advice for sure.  Dad is having a PetScan tomorrow, and I think we'll decide what direction to go after we get results from that.  Obviously, if there are areas of concern, that will need to be addressed first.  If it's clean, we'll make a decision on the Interferon, and probably look into getting a 3rd opinion. Unfortunately, I don't think the 3rd opinion will matter much in terms of whether or not to do the Interferon.  I believe that should be started within 70 days of WLE and I highly doubt we'd be able to get an appointment with a reputable specialist in that short of a time period.  We're already a little over a month and half removed from his initial surgery.  I need to arrange to get a all of his records in my possession soon though, as once we have chosen a 3rd opinion, I can get that information to them ASAP.

This is a relentless disease.  I think we all breathed a sigh of relief after the surgery and the initial positive news regarding his SLNB.  But that feeling was short-lived, as we were soon thrown back into decision making process regarding possible treatment.  I guess I'm guilty in that I kinda just expected the Oncologist to take the "watch and wait" approach in my Dad's case.  When he recommended Interferon, it definitely threw us all for a bit of a loop.  But we'll get it figured out and continue the fight.  "One step at a time" is what I keep preaching to my Dad.  "We'll cross bridges as we come to them".  But that advice is often easier to say than practice.  Thanks again! 

Thank you.  That's valuable advice for sure.  Dad is having a PetScan tomorrow, and I think we'll decide what direction to go after we get results from that.  Obviously, if there are areas of concern, that will need to be addressed first.  If it's clean, we'll make a decision on the Interferon, and probably look into getting a 3rd opinion. Unfortunately, I don't think the 3rd opinion will matter much in terms of whether or not to do the Interferon.  I believe that should be started within 70 days of WLE and I highly doubt we'd be able to get an appointment with a reputable specialist in that short of a time period.  We're already a little over a month and half removed from his initial surgery.  I need to arrange to get a all of his records in my possession soon though, as once we have chosen a 3rd opinion, I can get that information to them ASAP.

This is a relentless disease.  I think we all breathed a sigh of relief after the surgery and the initial positive news regarding his SLNB.  But that feeling was short-lived, as we were soon thrown back into decision making process regarding possible treatment.  I guess I'm guilty in that I kinda just expected the Oncologist to take the "watch and wait" approach in my Dad's case.  When he recommended Interferon, it definitely threw us all for a bit of a loop.  But we'll get it figured out and continue the fight.  "One step at a time" is what I keep preaching to my Dad.  "We'll cross bridges as we come to them".  But that advice is often easier to say than practice.  Thanks again!