Yervoy effectiveness re tumor size
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Yervoy effectiveness re tumor size

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Yervoy effectiveness re tumor size

  • Post
    • October 20, 2011 at 8:20 pm
    ad2424
    Participant

    I know this is a tough, perhaps unknown question, but perhaps someone has info I have not uncovered.

    I have 3 lung tumors: 6 mm, 3mm, and 3mm, with additional smaller. 3 months ago the 6 mm was 2 mm and the others were not mentioned.

    Does anyone know if this is the prime time to start Yervoy? I am thinking of waiting 4-8 weeks and having another scan, trying to buy some time to possibly get on a trial of another protocal. Thanks.

    I know this is a tough, perhaps unknown question, but perhaps someone has info I have not uncovered.

    I have 3 lung tumors: 6 mm, 3mm, and 3mm, with additional smaller. 3 months ago the 6 mm was 2 mm and the others were not mentioned.

    Does anyone know if this is the prime time to start Yervoy? I am thinking of waiting 4-8 weeks and having another scan, trying to buy some time to possibly get on a trial of another protocal. Thanks.

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 20, 2011 at 8:28 pm
      mombase
      Participant

      To me, these tumors seem a bit aggressive to have grown that much in a month, although my onc says that the lungs are VERY forgiving. The only reason we together chose to start with Yervoy was that my many lung tumors had not grown in three months. Yeryoy is pretty slow acting. Otherwise, we would have started with Zelboraf. If I had not been B-RAF +, I probably would have gone for the IL-2.  What does your oncologist think?

      Cristy, Stage IV

      • October 20, 2011 at 8:28 pm
      mombase
      Participant

      To me, these tumors seem a bit aggressive to have grown that much in a month, although my onc says that the lungs are VERY forgiving. The only reason we together chose to start with Yervoy was that my many lung tumors had not grown in three months. Yeryoy is pretty slow acting. Otherwise, we would have started with Zelboraf. If I had not been B-RAF +, I probably would have gone for the IL-2.  What does your oncologist think?

      Cristy, Stage IV

        • October 20, 2011 at 8:36 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        They grew that much in 3 months. He suggested starting, but also said waiting a month was reasonable.

        • October 20, 2011 at 8:36 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        They grew that much in 3 months. He suggested starting, but also said waiting a month was reasonable.

        • October 20, 2011 at 9:38 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        Oh, sorry, I mis-read that. My onc also said that if there was no such thing as Yervoy, he would have been very comfortable waiting before starting a faster acting agent. But because Yervoy is slow acting, he thought it prudent to start infusions sooner rather than later. I guess I would be concerned that the tumor load might increase?? But probably not in a month. I am not sure what the benefit would be to wait for a month…

        • October 20, 2011 at 9:38 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        Oh, sorry, I mis-read that. My onc also said that if there was no such thing as Yervoy, he would have been very comfortable waiting before starting a faster acting agent. But because Yervoy is slow acting, he thought it prudent to start infusions sooner rather than later. I guess I would be concerned that the tumor load might increase?? But probably not in a month. I am not sure what the benefit would be to wait for a month…

        • October 20, 2011 at 10:21 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        Thank you for your repsonses. You are right, 1 month probably might be the wrong amount of time I would have to wait.

        • October 20, 2011 at 10:21 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        Thank you for your repsonses. You are right, 1 month probably might be the wrong amount of time I would have to wait.

        • October 20, 2011 at 10:45 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        I am just kind of wondering aloud…I hope others chime in on your post!! You ultimately have to be comfortable with your decision.  Take care!

        Cristy, Stage IV

        • October 20, 2011 at 10:45 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        I am just kind of wondering aloud…I hope others chime in on your post!! You ultimately have to be comfortable with your decision.  Take care!

        Cristy, Stage IV

        • October 20, 2011 at 11:24 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        I have 15 nodules in my lungs – all around the same size as yours – and one grew to 1.2cm.  Most of these nodules grew in 6 weeks, but only a little bit (1cm grew to 1.2cm and the rest grew a tiny bit or not at all).  Nodules can grow slowly and they can also change course and grow quickly. I asked my Dr. if my nodules would continue to grow slow and he said "Melanoma will just do what it wants to do".  That being said,  If I were you, I wouldn't let any of them grow much more and start Yervoy. Because Yervoy takes time, you want your tumour burden to be lower so that you don't have symptoms should they grow before the Yervoy kicks in (hopefully). 

        One last thing, I never had a biopsy on any of my nodules – have you??

        Christy – what did your Dr. mean when he said lungs were forgiving? 

        Good luck!

        Lisa

        • October 20, 2011 at 11:24 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        I have 15 nodules in my lungs – all around the same size as yours – and one grew to 1.2cm.  Most of these nodules grew in 6 weeks, but only a little bit (1cm grew to 1.2cm and the rest grew a tiny bit or not at all).  Nodules can grow slowly and they can also change course and grow quickly. I asked my Dr. if my nodules would continue to grow slow and he said "Melanoma will just do what it wants to do".  That being said,  If I were you, I wouldn't let any of them grow much more and start Yervoy. Because Yervoy takes time, you want your tumour burden to be lower so that you don't have symptoms should they grow before the Yervoy kicks in (hopefully). 

        One last thing, I never had a biopsy on any of my nodules – have you??

        Christy – what did your Dr. mean when he said lungs were forgiving? 

        Good luck!

        Lisa

        • October 20, 2011 at 11:50 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        Hi Lisa,

        Well, I have lots of tumors in all parts of my lungs, and I asked him why I have not had any symptoms at all. He basically just showed me the the scans of the lungs that show how much area of lung there is compared to the size of the tumors. This explanation from him was probably way oversimplified, but it worked for me! I suppose I have been very fortunate not to have any fluid in my lungs, as well.

        • October 20, 2011 at 11:50 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        Hi Lisa,

        Well, I have lots of tumors in all parts of my lungs, and I asked him why I have not had any symptoms at all. He basically just showed me the the scans of the lungs that show how much area of lung there is compared to the size of the tumors. This explanation from him was probably way oversimplified, but it worked for me! I suppose I have been very fortunate not to have any fluid in my lungs, as well.

        • October 21, 2011 at 1:40 am
        Lisa13
        Participant

        Mine are very small as well, except for the 1.2cm one.  I too have never had any symptoms, but they were also first seen in April when my Dr. had no idea what they were because they were so small. Since they grew a bit, he didn't want to wait until 1 day I became symptomatic.

        I hope you and I do very well on this drug!

        Lisa

        • October 21, 2011 at 2:08 am
        mombase
        Participant

        Me too!! yes

        • October 21, 2011 at 2:08 am
        mombase
        Participant

        Me too!! yes

        • October 21, 2011 at 2:08 am
        mombase
        Participant

        Me too!! yes

        • October 21, 2011 at 1:40 am
        Lisa13
        Participant

        Mine are very small as well, except for the 1.2cm one.  I too have never had any symptoms, but they were also first seen in April when my Dr. had no idea what they were because they were so small. Since they grew a bit, he didn't want to wait until 1 day I became symptomatic.

        I hope you and I do very well on this drug!

        Lisa

        • October 21, 2011 at 1:40 am
        Lisa13
        Participant

        Mine are very small as well, except for the 1.2cm one.  I too have never had any symptoms, but they were also first seen in April when my Dr. had no idea what they were because they were so small. Since they grew a bit, he didn't want to wait until 1 day I became symptomatic.

        I hope you and I do very well on this drug!

        Lisa

        • October 20, 2011 at 11:50 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        Hi Lisa,

        Well, I have lots of tumors in all parts of my lungs, and I asked him why I have not had any symptoms at all. He basically just showed me the the scans of the lungs that show how much area of lung there is compared to the size of the tumors. This explanation from him was probably way oversimplified, but it worked for me! I suppose I have been very fortunate not to have any fluid in my lungs, as well.

        • October 21, 2011 at 10:23 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        Hi Lisa – are you on Yervoy? When did you start?

        I did not have a biopsy. I had VATS lung surgery to remove a few in the opposite lung as is my issue now.

        Steven

        • October 21, 2011 at 10:23 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        Hi Lisa – are you on Yervoy? When did you start?

        I did not have a biopsy. I had VATS lung surgery to remove a few in the opposite lung as is my issue now.

        Steven

        • October 21, 2011 at 10:23 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        Hi Lisa – are you on Yervoy? When did you start?

        I did not have a biopsy. I had VATS lung surgery to remove a few in the opposite lung as is my issue now.

        Steven

        • October 20, 2011 at 11:24 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        I have 15 nodules in my lungs – all around the same size as yours – and one grew to 1.2cm.  Most of these nodules grew in 6 weeks, but only a little bit (1cm grew to 1.2cm and the rest grew a tiny bit or not at all).  Nodules can grow slowly and they can also change course and grow quickly. I asked my Dr. if my nodules would continue to grow slow and he said "Melanoma will just do what it wants to do".  That being said,  If I were you, I wouldn't let any of them grow much more and start Yervoy. Because Yervoy takes time, you want your tumour burden to be lower so that you don't have symptoms should they grow before the Yervoy kicks in (hopefully). 

        One last thing, I never had a biopsy on any of my nodules – have you??

        Christy – what did your Dr. mean when he said lungs were forgiving? 

        Good luck!

        Lisa

        • October 20, 2011 at 10:45 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        I am just kind of wondering aloud…I hope others chime in on your post!! You ultimately have to be comfortable with your decision.  Take care!

        Cristy, Stage IV

        • October 20, 2011 at 10:21 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        Thank you for your repsonses. You are right, 1 month probably might be the wrong amount of time I would have to wait.

        • October 20, 2011 at 9:38 pm
        mombase
        Participant

        Oh, sorry, I mis-read that. My onc also said that if there was no such thing as Yervoy, he would have been very comfortable waiting before starting a faster acting agent. But because Yervoy is slow acting, he thought it prudent to start infusions sooner rather than later. I guess I would be concerned that the tumor load might increase?? But probably not in a month. I am not sure what the benefit would be to wait for a month…

        • October 20, 2011 at 8:36 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

        They grew that much in 3 months. He suggested starting, but also said waiting a month was reasonable.

      • October 20, 2011 at 8:28 pm
      mombase
      Participant

      To me, these tumors seem a bit aggressive to have grown that much in a month, although my onc says that the lungs are VERY forgiving. The only reason we together chose to start with Yervoy was that my many lung tumors had not grown in three months. Yeryoy is pretty slow acting. Otherwise, we would have started with Zelboraf. If I had not been B-RAF +, I probably would have gone for the IL-2.  What does your oncologist think?

      Cristy, Stage IV

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.