Stage 3a treatments
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Stage 3a treatments

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage 3a treatments

  • Post
    • October 7, 2015 at 10:25 pm
    mkirkland
    Participant

    Just curious what treatments you guys have had for stage 3a. I meet with my medical oncologist 11/5. 

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 8, 2015 at 7:01 pm
      geriakt
      Participant

      I am III. I was told that the only approved treatment that your insurance will pay for and is considered standard treatment for your degree of disease is either Chemo, Interferon or do nothing and follow up with scans every 3-6 months. 

      Talk to a melanoma specialist, but most will tell you Chemo does not work and Interferon will only make you sick.  You are not sick enough to get immune therapy drugs like Yervoy, Opdivo and Keytuda paid for by insurance and the FDA has not cleared these drugs unless you are stage IV.  The only way to get immune therapy drugs is through a clinical study.  That is what I did.

      One option that is not very proven is a vaccine. 

      • October 8, 2015 at 7:01 pm
      geriakt
      Participant

      I am III. I was told that the only approved treatment that your insurance will pay for and is considered standard treatment for your degree of disease is either Chemo, Interferon or do nothing and follow up with scans every 3-6 months. 

      Talk to a melanoma specialist, but most will tell you Chemo does not work and Interferon will only make you sick.  You are not sick enough to get immune therapy drugs like Yervoy, Opdivo and Keytuda paid for by insurance and the FDA has not cleared these drugs unless you are stage IV.  The only way to get immune therapy drugs is through a clinical study.  That is what I did.

      One option that is not very proven is a vaccine. 

      • October 8, 2015 at 7:01 pm
      geriakt
      Participant

      I am III. I was told that the only approved treatment that your insurance will pay for and is considered standard treatment for your degree of disease is either Chemo, Interferon or do nothing and follow up with scans every 3-6 months. 

      Talk to a melanoma specialist, but most will tell you Chemo does not work and Interferon will only make you sick.  You are not sick enough to get immune therapy drugs like Yervoy, Opdivo and Keytuda paid for by insurance and the FDA has not cleared these drugs unless you are stage IV.  The only way to get immune therapy drugs is through a clinical study.  That is what I did.

      One option that is not very proven is a vaccine. 

      • October 8, 2015 at 7:29 pm
      brewgirl68
      Participant

      Your options are Interferon or "watch and wait"; depending on your particular situation, you might be able to add a clinical trial to the list. 

      Best wishes – 

      Sheila

      • October 8, 2015 at 7:29 pm
      brewgirl68
      Participant

      Your options are Interferon or "watch and wait"; depending on your particular situation, you might be able to add a clinical trial to the list. 

      Best wishes – 

      Sheila

        • October 8, 2015 at 7:31 pm
        brewgirl68
        Participant

        Edit to add that radiation may alse be recommended, depending on your situation. 

        • October 8, 2015 at 7:31 pm
        brewgirl68
        Participant

        Edit to add that radiation may alse be recommended, depending on your situation. 

        • October 8, 2015 at 7:31 pm
        brewgirl68
        Participant

        Edit to add that radiation may alse be recommended, depending on your situation. 

      • October 8, 2015 at 7:29 pm
      brewgirl68
      Participant

      Your options are Interferon or "watch and wait"; depending on your particular situation, you might be able to add a clinical trial to the list. 

      Best wishes – 

      Sheila

Viewing 5 reply threads
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