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Your Opinion needed!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Your Opinion needed!

  • Post
    • August 4, 2017 at 5:39 pm
    MelanomaMike
    Participant
    Hi ya’all, first off, hope everyone is well & in good spirits!..i have a delema, as you have learned from me, my Melanoma has crept into my lungs (right is 9cm, left is alot smaller forgot cm) what should i do? Surgery or chemical treatment? Since 2008 i have had 6 surgeries & it still comes back! I figure another surgery isnt gunna cut it, i havnt tried chem yet and it has been offered. My team leans toward surgery first but to be honest im terrified of the surgery…please respond asap! I would like yer input…thanks..
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  • Replies
      • August 4, 2017 at 5:48 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      I would give immunotherapy a try, either Ipi/Nivo or Keytruda. If after trying that it hasn't shrunk all the way, then surgery could be an option. But, why not try the latest and greatest drugs, it could be the trick to get rid of it and stop it from coming back.

        • August 5, 2017 at 5:13 pm
        jrtufo
        Participant

        You'll get many telling you to skip the interferon for good reason.  My experience with Keytruda was a breeze.  A tiny bit of fatigue-that's it.  It didn't work for me, but I've got kind of an oddball melanoma.  Get another professeional opinion – hopefully from an NCI hospital.

      • August 4, 2017 at 8:21 pm
      Ridingaroundwith27Jennifers
      Participant

      Immunotherapy has worked well for me.  Only 1 surgery.  I think it is worth the conversation with your dr.  I'm hoping you have a melanoma specialist.  They are most up to date on what treatments are likely to work well for you given your particular situation.  Wishing you well and that you are able to make a decision you are comfortable with soon.

      • August 4, 2017 at 11:00 pm
      sister of patient
      Participant

      Hi Mike – Can you clarify what you mean by "chem"? Because it suggests chemotherapy and chemo and immunotherapy aren't the same thing. I can understand why you're torn but if they're offering you immunotherapy without absolutely insisting on the surgery as a prerequisite, why not try it because even one or two infusions can have a major affect on mel. For sure, your liver would be monitored very closely! Best wishes!

      Barb

      • August 5, 2017 at 1:19 am
      MelanomaMike
      Participant

      Thanks for your inputs, im leaning more towards the Therapy cuz getting cut open does NOT seem to work. I didnt mention in my paragraph that my Oncologist had spoke of Interferon if i chose treatment {and to the one responder, we didnt discuss Immunaltherapy} only chem type of treatment. I have this feeling deep down its gunna work for me, i want to be done with this! its like a curse that sage, candles & surgery cant cure! im so done!…and by the way, once again, thank you all for being here walking with me through this! ill talk to my Oncologist Monday {7/07/17} & ill keep ya posted….Thanks…

        • August 5, 2017 at 1:21 am
        MelanomaMike
        Participant

        CORRECTION!: ill see my Oncologist on 8/07/17 not July! lol..were in August Mike…

        • August 5, 2017 at 2:19 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        Interferon is a big NO NO. You'll hear others chime in about this too. There is absolutely no reason to go through that, you are eligble for Yervoy/Opdivo combo or Keytruda as a stage 4 patient and those drugs are MUCH MUCH more highly effective and easier to tolerate than Interferon. You should definitely get a melanoma oncologist… a mel onc would never suggest Interferon to a stage 4 patient these days. Hoping the best for you, take your time making these decisions, get a second opinion if needed.

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