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› Forums › General Melanoma Community › questions

  • Post
    • February 9, 2013 at 10:35 pm
    bikerwife
    Participant

    we had gamma knife on brain mets have to go back on the 18 and finish he had 22 very small ones.

    none of the tumors that were visible be fore z has returned. Can z be working in body and not brain?

    we had gamma knife on brain mets have to go back on the 18 and finish he had 22 very small ones.

    none of the tumors that were visible be fore z has returned. Can z be working in body and not brain?

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  • Replies
      • February 9, 2013 at 10:51 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Any time you deal with cancer in the brain, it brings on a whole new level of complexity.  The blood-brain barrier (BBB) doesn't allow larger molecules to pass to the brain, so many drugs will not help the brain althrough they may treat cancer elsewhere.  There are clinical trials right now looking at Zelboraf for brain mets.  Temodar is often used for melanoma warriors who have brain mets because it is a chemo that does pass the BBB.  I've seen some taking Zelboraf here who seem to respond to Z in the brain, others not so much.  So if Z is working everywhere except the brain, then Temodar, gamma knife or WBR would all be viable treatments for the brain while still remaining on Zelboraf.

      Just curious, with all those small tumors, have they discussed WBR (whole brain radiation) instead of gamma knife?

      Best wishes,

      Janner

      • February 9, 2013 at 10:51 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Any time you deal with cancer in the brain, it brings on a whole new level of complexity.  The blood-brain barrier (BBB) doesn't allow larger molecules to pass to the brain, so many drugs will not help the brain althrough they may treat cancer elsewhere.  There are clinical trials right now looking at Zelboraf for brain mets.  Temodar is often used for melanoma warriors who have brain mets because it is a chemo that does pass the BBB.  I've seen some taking Zelboraf here who seem to respond to Z in the brain, others not so much.  So if Z is working everywhere except the brain, then Temodar, gamma knife or WBR would all be viable treatments for the brain while still remaining on Zelboraf.

      Just curious, with all those small tumors, have they discussed WBR (whole brain radiation) instead of gamma knife?

      Best wishes,

      Janner

      • February 9, 2013 at 10:51 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Any time you deal with cancer in the brain, it brings on a whole new level of complexity.  The blood-brain barrier (BBB) doesn't allow larger molecules to pass to the brain, so many drugs will not help the brain althrough they may treat cancer elsewhere.  There are clinical trials right now looking at Zelboraf for brain mets.  Temodar is often used for melanoma warriors who have brain mets because it is a chemo that does pass the BBB.  I've seen some taking Zelboraf here who seem to respond to Z in the brain, others not so much.  So if Z is working everywhere except the brain, then Temodar, gamma knife or WBR would all be viable treatments for the brain while still remaining on Zelboraf.

      Just curious, with all those small tumors, have they discussed WBR (whole brain radiation) instead of gamma knife?

      Best wishes,

      Janner

        • February 10, 2013 at 3:27 am
        bikerwife
        Participant

        had that in nov of last year when first diagnosed for 7 mets. it almost killed him, he was so ill. thats why we switched Drs.

        • February 10, 2013 at 3:27 am
        bikerwife
        Participant

        had that in nov of last year when first diagnosed for 7 mets. it almost killed him, he was so ill. thats why we switched Drs.

        • February 10, 2013 at 3:27 am
        bikerwife
        Participant

        had that in nov of last year when first diagnosed for 7 mets. it almost killed him, he was so ill. thats why we switched Drs.

        • February 10, 2013 at 4:14 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Ok.  You can only do WBR once, Typically they don't do gamma knife on so many lesions so that is why I wondered.  But if he already had WBR, it makes sense now.  It seems the only other option at this point would be Temodar.  It typically is well tolerated but not sure how it interacts with Zelboraf.  It's something you could ask about, though. 

        Best wishes,

        Janner

        • February 10, 2013 at 4:14 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Ok.  You can only do WBR once, Typically they don't do gamma knife on so many lesions so that is why I wondered.  But if he already had WBR, it makes sense now.  It seems the only other option at this point would be Temodar.  It typically is well tolerated but not sure how it interacts with Zelboraf.  It's something you could ask about, though. 

        Best wishes,

        Janner

        • February 10, 2013 at 4:14 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Ok.  You can only do WBR once, Typically they don't do gamma knife on so many lesions so that is why I wondered.  But if he already had WBR, it makes sense now.  It seems the only other option at this point would be Temodar.  It typically is well tolerated but not sure how it interacts with Zelboraf.  It's something you could ask about, though. 

        Best wishes,

        Janner

        • February 10, 2013 at 9:36 pm
        Janet Lee
        Participant

        What is the difference between Gamma Knife and Cyber Knife? My husband just had the Cyberknife treatment for a brain met.

        Thanks.

        Janet

        • February 10, 2013 at 9:36 pm
        Janet Lee
        Participant

        What is the difference between Gamma Knife and Cyber Knife? My husband just had the Cyberknife treatment for a brain met.

        Thanks.

        Janet

        • February 10, 2013 at 9:36 pm
        Janet Lee
        Participant

        What is the difference between Gamma Knife and Cyber Knife? My husband just had the Cyberknife treatment for a brain met.

        Thanks.

        Janet

      • February 10, 2013 at 11:08 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      I have heard of others in this situation. Zel supposedly got rid of my brain met, but in reality just shrink it way down and it waited for an opportunity to return.. Then we zapped it along with its new friend.

      I just don’t think they know yet. Have been thinking about you guys.

      Amy

      • February 10, 2013 at 11:08 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      I have heard of others in this situation. Zel supposedly got rid of my brain met, but in reality just shrink it way down and it waited for an opportunity to return.. Then we zapped it along with its new friend.

      I just don’t think they know yet. Have been thinking about you guys.

      Amy

      • February 10, 2013 at 11:08 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      I have heard of others in this situation. Zel supposedly got rid of my brain met, but in reality just shrink it way down and it waited for an opportunity to return.. Then we zapped it along with its new friend.

      I just don’t think they know yet. Have been thinking about you guys.

      Amy

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