MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
questions
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.

questions

› 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?

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • 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 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 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 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 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 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

                                  Viewing 5 reply threads
                                  • 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.

                                  Popular Topics