Stage iv – need treatment advise

There is no "standard" approach when it comes to stage IV melanoma.  Different facilities have different preferences.  The approach you mention has its merits but is certainly not the "standard" at every institution.  Certain therapies are better than other based on patient age, condition, amount of disease, metastases types and other factors.  Certainly, NC has several good facilities to choose from.  However, it never hurts to get another opinion.  Clinical trials can also be an option and shouldn't be overlooked.

Best wishes,

Janner

There is no "standard" approach when it comes to stage IV melanoma.  Different facilities have different preferences.  The approach you mention has its merits but is certainly not the "standard" at every institution.  Certain therapies are better than other based on patient age, condition, amount of disease, metastases types and other factors.  Certainly, NC has several good facilities to choose from.  However, it never hurts to get another opinion.  Clinical trials can also be an option and shouldn't be overlooked.

Best wishes,

Janner

There is no "standard" approach when it comes to stage IV melanoma.  Different facilities have different preferences.  The approach you mention has its merits but is certainly not the "standard" at every institution.  Certain therapies are better than other based on patient age, condition, amount of disease, metastases types and other factors.  Certainly, NC has several good facilities to choose from.  However, it never hurts to get another opinion.  Clinical trials can also be an option and shouldn't be overlooked.

Best wishes,

Janner

Another close facility  you might want to contact is UNC-Chapel Hill.  I have attended some of their melanoma conferences and have come away with a good impression of their surgeons and oncologists.  I am not a patient of UNC but would consider going there myself if I ever need another opinion.

Best of luck!

Michelle /3B

Another close facility  you might want to contact is UNC-Chapel Hill.  I have attended some of their melanoma conferences and have come away with a good impression of their surgeons and oncologists.  I am not a patient of UNC but would consider going there myself if I ever need another opinion.

Best of luck!

Michelle /3B

Another close facility  you might want to contact is UNC-Chapel Hill.  I have attended some of their melanoma conferences and have come away with a good impression of their surgeons and oncologists.  I am not a patient of UNC but would consider going there myself if I ever need another opinion.

Best of luck!

Michelle /3B

I think second and even third opinions can be valuable, particularly if you don't understand everything or are not sure you are getting the best advice. If you aren't too far from Charlottesville it might be worth going to see someone at UVa. They have a large melanoma team, and Craig Slingluff is doing some interesting research.

I think second and even third opinions can be valuable, particularly if you don't understand everything or are not sure you are getting the best advice. If you aren't too far from Charlottesville it might be worth going to see someone at UVa. They have a large melanoma team, and Craig Slingluff is doing some interesting research.

I think second and even third opinions can be valuable, particularly if you don't understand everything or are not sure you are getting the best advice. If you aren't too far from Charlottesville it might be worth going to see someone at UVa. They have a large melanoma team, and Craig Slingluff is doing some interesting research.

I am in North Carolina as well and am seeing Dr. John Stewart at Wake Forest Baptist Health (Winston-Salem). He is a melanoma specialist and I am very happy with him. I have also heard that Dr. Asim Amin at Blumenthal Cancer Center is excellent (Charlotte).

Kevin

I am in North Carolina as well and am seeing Dr. John Stewart at Wake Forest Baptist Health (Winston-Salem). He is a melanoma specialist and I am very happy with him. I have also heard that Dr. Asim Amin at Blumenthal Cancer Center is excellent (Charlotte).

Kevin

I am in North Carolina as well and am seeing Dr. John Stewart at Wake Forest Baptist Health (Winston-Salem). He is a melanoma specialist and I am very happy with him. I have also heard that Dr. Asim Amin at Blumenthal Cancer Center is excellent (Charlotte).

Kevin

I have been battling stage IV acral lentiginous melanoma since April 2010, with my primary treatment at Duke. I can understand how you feel with the initial visit but I can assure you, they will do EVERYTHING they can. I know you wrote as a family member and your feelngs are justifiable, but please, please…listen to what your family member wants to do and support their decisions in the treatment(s) they choose. They will need your help and support without adding more stress(I don't want to come across hateful, but our caretakers/family members need to understand the dire importance of it). I pray the Lord blesses and keeps you, giving you all peace on the hard journey ahead.

I have been battling stage IV acral lentiginous melanoma since April 2010, with my primary treatment at Duke. I can understand how you feel with the initial visit but I can assure you, they will do EVERYTHING they can. I know you wrote as a family member and your feelngs are justifiable, but please, please…listen to what your family member wants to do and support their decisions in the treatment(s) they choose. They will need your help and support without adding more stress(I don't want to come across hateful, but our caretakers/family members need to understand the dire importance of it). I pray the Lord blesses and keeps you, giving you all peace on the hard journey ahead.

I have been battling stage IV acral lentiginous melanoma since April 2010, with my primary treatment at Duke. I can understand how you feel with the initial visit but I can assure you, they will do EVERYTHING they can. I know you wrote as a family member and your feelngs are justifiable, but please, please…listen to what your family member wants to do and support their decisions in the treatment(s) they choose. They will need your help and support without adding more stress(I don't want to come across hateful, but our caretakers/family members need to understand the dire importance of it). I pray the Lord blesses and keeps you, giving you all peace on the hard journey ahead.

I have been battling stage IV acral lentiginous melanoma since April 2010, with my primary treatment at Duke. I can understand how you feel with the initial visit but I can assure you, they will do EVERYTHING they can. I know you wrote as a family member and your feelings are justifiable, but please, please…listen to what your family member wants to do and support their decisions in the treatment(s) they choose. They will need your help and support without adding more stress(I don't want to come across hateful, but our caretakers/family members need to understand the dire importance of it). I pray the Lord blesses and keeps you, giving you all peace on the hard journey ahead.

I have been battling stage IV acral lentiginous melanoma since April 2010, with my primary treatment at Duke. I can understand how you feel with the initial visit but I can assure you, they will do EVERYTHING they can. I know you wrote as a family member and your feelings are justifiable, but please, please…listen to what your family member wants to do and support their decisions in the treatment(s) they choose. They will need your help and support without adding more stress(I don't want to come across hateful, but our caretakers/family members need to understand the dire importance of it). I pray the Lord blesses and keeps you, giving you all peace on the hard journey ahead.

I have been battling stage IV acral lentiginous melanoma since April 2010, with my primary treatment at Duke. I can understand how you feel with the initial visit but I can assure you, they will do EVERYTHING they can. I know you wrote as a family member and your feelings are justifiable, but please, please…listen to what your family member wants to do and support their decisions in the treatment(s) they choose. They will need your help and support without adding more stress(I don't want to come across hateful, but our caretakers/family members need to understand the dire importance of it). I pray the Lord blesses and keeps you, giving you all peace on the hard journey ahead.

I've had treatments and consults at Duke over the last couple years.  I've had surgery performed by Dr. Doug Tyler on two occasions.  He specializes in Melanoma surgeries and is outstanding.  If you do end up needing surgery you would have hard time finding anyone better and more respected than he is.  I've also consulted a Melanoma oncologist there as well and I was not impressed.  Momma always said if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all but if you want specifics feel free to message me and I'll give you more detalis.  In some surveys Duke is ranked as a top 10 cancer treatment hospital in the country but that is an overall rating and not specifically addressing melanoma treatment.  The facility is awesome.  I have heard good things about UNC and I remember hearing that they seem to take a little more agressive approach to treatment but that info was purely through the grapevine and I have no evidence or experience to support that statement.  I also would second the Dr. Slingluff at UVA recommendation.  I have an appointment to see them next week.  So far I have been very impressed with everyone I dealt with over the phone.

Good luck.

Brian

I've had treatments and consults at Duke over the last couple years.  I've had surgery performed by Dr. Doug Tyler on two occasions.  He specializes in Melanoma surgeries and is outstanding.  If you do end up needing surgery you would have hard time finding anyone better and more respected than he is.  I've also consulted a Melanoma oncologist there as well and I was not impressed.  Momma always said if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all but if you want specifics feel free to message me and I'll give you more detalis.  In some surveys Duke is ranked as a top 10 cancer treatment hospital in the country but that is an overall rating and not specifically addressing melanoma treatment.  The facility is awesome.  I have heard good things about UNC and I remember hearing that they seem to take a little more agressive approach to treatment but that info was purely through the grapevine and I have no evidence or experience to support that statement.  I also would second the Dr. Slingluff at UVA recommendation.  I have an appointment to see them next week.  So far I have been very impressed with everyone I dealt with over the phone.

Good luck.

Brian

I've had treatments and consults at Duke over the last couple years.  I've had surgery performed by Dr. Doug Tyler on two occasions.  He specializes in Melanoma surgeries and is outstanding.  If you do end up needing surgery you would have hard time finding anyone better and more respected than he is.  I've also consulted a Melanoma oncologist there as well and I was not impressed.  Momma always said if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all but if you want specifics feel free to message me and I'll give you more detalis.  In some surveys Duke is ranked as a top 10 cancer treatment hospital in the country but that is an overall rating and not specifically addressing melanoma treatment.  The facility is awesome.  I have heard good things about UNC and I remember hearing that they seem to take a little more agressive approach to treatment but that info was purely through the grapevine and I have no evidence or experience to support that statement.  I also would second the Dr. Slingluff at UVA recommendation.  I have an appointment to see them next week.  So far I have been very impressed with everyone I dealt with over the phone.

Good luck.

Brian