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Stage 3a treatments

Forums General Melanoma Community Stage 3a treatments

  • Post
    mkirkland
    Participant

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

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    • Replies
        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. 

          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. 

            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. 

              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

                  brewgirl68
                  Participant

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

                    brewgirl68
                    Participant

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

                      brewgirl68
                      Participant

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

                      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

                        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

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