Spindle Cell vs. Desmoplastic

I did find this particular study, but that's literally almost all I could find.  I haven't been able to locate any sources either about what exactly is different about them, much less how they should be treated differently.  It just doesn't appear that there's much valuable research regarding this variant of Melanoma. 

This study indicates that they have propensities for certain stains pathologically, but offers really nothing else of significant importance. 

Thanks for your response though!  Yes, I've been paying clse attention to the dates on articles and studies, as I realize the older ones are likely outdated now.  But that's great advice of course. 

I did find this particular study, but that's literally almost all I could find.  I haven't been able to locate any sources either about what exactly is different about them, much less how they should be treated differently.  It just doesn't appear that there's much valuable research regarding this variant of Melanoma. 

This study indicates that they have propensities for certain stains pathologically, but offers really nothing else of significant importance. 

Thanks for your response though!  Yes, I've been paying clse attention to the dates on articles and studies, as I realize the older ones are likely outdated now.  But that's great advice of course. 

I did find this particular study, but that's literally almost all I could find.  I haven't been able to locate any sources either about what exactly is different about them, much less how they should be treated differently.  It just doesn't appear that there's much valuable research regarding this variant of Melanoma. 

This study indicates that they have propensities for certain stains pathologically, but offers really nothing else of significant importance. 

Thanks for your response though!  Yes, I've been paying clse attention to the dates on articles and studies, as I realize the older ones are likely outdated now.  But that's great advice of course. 

Thanks so much for your replies.  It's frustrating when you're trying to make an informed decicion on treatment, and the information just isn't there for my Dad's particular case.  Regardless, I still don't believe that Interferon is the right choice for him, with his MS and significant depression history.  In one of the big studies (I believe it was Kirkwood's), there was only a small subset of individuals who fit my Dad's characteristics in terms of tumor type (there were only 11 in the study), and for some reason these 11 individuals responded poorly to Interferon.  It's difficult to take much from that, since it's such a small sample size.  But what are the chances that all 11 did poorly with Interferon?  It makes me think there must be SOME connection, although it would require further study.  Since this type of melanoma accounts for only about 4% of cases though, I'm not holding my breath that there will be groundbreaking information coming out about Spindle Cell Melanoma.  I understand of course, as it makes sense to do research to benefit the majority of cases.  But it is indeed a little discouraging.

Thanks so much for your replies.  It's frustrating when you're trying to make an informed decicion on treatment, and the information just isn't there for my Dad's particular case.  Regardless, I still don't believe that Interferon is the right choice for him, with his MS and significant depression history.  In one of the big studies (I believe it was Kirkwood's), there was only a small subset of individuals who fit my Dad's characteristics in terms of tumor type (there were only 11 in the study), and for some reason these 11 individuals responded poorly to Interferon.  It's difficult to take much from that, since it's such a small sample size.  But what are the chances that all 11 did poorly with Interferon?  It makes me think there must be SOME connection, although it would require further study.  Since this type of melanoma accounts for only about 4% of cases though, I'm not holding my breath that there will be groundbreaking information coming out about Spindle Cell Melanoma.  I understand of course, as it makes sense to do research to benefit the majority of cases.  But it is indeed a little discouraging.

Thanks so much for your replies.  It's frustrating when you're trying to make an informed decicion on treatment, and the information just isn't there for my Dad's particular case.  Regardless, I still don't believe that Interferon is the right choice for him, with his MS and significant depression history.  In one of the big studies (I believe it was Kirkwood's), there was only a small subset of individuals who fit my Dad's characteristics in terms of tumor type (there were only 11 in the study), and for some reason these 11 individuals responded poorly to Interferon.  It's difficult to take much from that, since it's such a small sample size.  But what are the chances that all 11 did poorly with Interferon?  It makes me think there must be SOME connection, although it would require further study.  Since this type of melanoma accounts for only about 4% of cases though, I'm not holding my breath that there will be groundbreaking information coming out about Spindle Cell Melanoma.  I understand of course, as it makes sense to do research to benefit the majority of cases.  But it is indeed a little discouraging.