Tumor reduction: if one reduces will they all?
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Tumor reduction: if one reduces will they all?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Tumor reduction: if one reduces will they all?

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    • December 2, 2018 at 7:40 pm
    texasgirl
    Participant

    Hello all, I'm a new follower due to my mom recently being diagnosed with stage IV melanoma.  I've been lurking for a while and have found the discussions here informative and helpful.  You all are a wonderfully supportive group!

    She's been on Opdivo for a few months and we are hopeful.  In the beginning she had a large lump in a lymph node.  6 months later the doctor says it looks and feels like it has disappeared and has ordered new scans sooner than initially planned.  Does anyone know, does this bode well for other tumors — if one shrinks do they all?  Is it possible for others to remain the same or even grow even if the Opdivo has knocked this one out?

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  • Replies
      • December 3, 2018 at 12:47 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi Texasgirl, a couple of questions to start with. Does you mom have other tumors sites other than the lymph nodes that you talked about? You used 6 months on treatment and Dr. is thinking of doing scans earlier, how often has she been scanned so far on treatment, it is pretty standard to get scans every 3 months for stage 4. How has she been handling the side effects so far? To try and answer your question about if one shrinks do they all. It is different for everyone, tumor burden and how fast the tumors had been growing seem to play a role in response, tumors with ulceration tend to be a little more aggressive and high LDH levels tend to be negative predictors of response. Melanoma is so different for every patient that having a one hat fits all response is difficult. If you just follow some of the patients on this board you will see all kinds of mixed results. Some will require radiation to targeted lessions to help or surgery to remove a stubborn tumor. Other will need to  use products like T-vec to get control of tumors on the surface of the skin. Others will have a response then at a latter date progress and then new products like OX-40 or Lag-3 might be added to Pd-1 in a clinical trial setting. I hope this has been helpful. Best Wishes!!! Ed

        • December 3, 2018 at 10:06 pm
        texasgirl
        Participant

        Hi Ed, thanks for your response!  Yes she has other tumors, one on her shoulder blade, some abdominally and on the lungs.  All small, supposedly.  Her dr. initally said her first scan would be 6 months out (?? Seems a long time!)  so I am relieved one will be done sooner.  I haven't met him but he seems very… evasive? I dont know if that's the right word.. with information.  He wouldn't give her info on life expectancy; follow up scan not for 6 months; "blood work looks fine" but with no specifics.  Unfortunately my mom doesn't push for any more info, she's used to trusting in doctors and takes them at their word, whereas I ask for all my lab reports etc.

         

        Thankfully the only side effect she's had is a minor skin rash that her dr gave her some medication to help with.  She's had no tiredness, aches, or anything.  We're hopeful it stays this way!

         

        Thanks again!

      • December 5, 2018 at 5:04 am
      Michele B
      Participant

      Hello Texasgirl, as Ed said everyone reacts differently, but it sounds like your mom is responding well. I will pray the scans come back showing some positive results. Do you live close to your mom? My husband is the one with melanoma and he is similar to your mom in he doesn’t really ask anything, or to see any reports. I attend every appointment with my husband, and I ask the questions, get copies of all his labs, and scans. I keep a huge notebook. Prayers for you and your mom.

      Michele

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