DaughterStanding

Thank you so much for your responses!! I am touched and amazed by such a generous and empathic community here! 

Yes, seeded or intransit melanoma is not very common. My mother is seeing a melanoma specialist, Dr. Tara Gangadhar at Univ. of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center. But since intransit is so rare it seems like no one is quite sure of how to best treat this manifestation. Are there melanoma specialists who deal specifically with this type?

My mom has been on Interferon, Ipilimumab (Yervoy), Vemurafenib (Zelboraf), and now Anti-PD-1.  Unfortunately she had a toxic response to Yervoy. So far no negative side effects on PD-1 inhibitor! 

The isolated limb perfusion seems like it may be our only option right now to reduce the tumors on her leg to bring her greater comfort. ILP does have a generally good response rate (close to 80%) though is only expected to last for 10 months and requires a difficult recovery. It is a very hard decision to make. 

We live near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Any recommendations for specialists that might know more specifically about the intransit melanoma would be appreciated. 

Thank you so much. 

Warm wishes to all in their fight,

Lee

Thank you so much for your responses!! I am touched and amazed by such a generous and empathic community here! 

Yes, seeded or intransit melanoma is not very common. My mother is seeing a melanoma specialist, Dr. Tara Gangadhar at Univ. of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center. But since intransit is so rare it seems like no one is quite sure of how to best treat this manifestation. Are there melanoma specialists who deal specifically with this type?

My mom has been on Interferon, Ipilimumab (Yervoy), Vemurafenib (Zelboraf), and now Anti-PD-1.  Unfortunately she had a toxic response to Yervoy. So far no negative side effects on PD-1 inhibitor! 

The isolated limb perfusion seems like it may be our only option right now to reduce the tumors on her leg to bring her greater comfort. ILP does have a generally good response rate (close to 80%) though is only expected to last for 10 months and requires a difficult recovery. It is a very hard decision to make. 

We live near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Any recommendations for specialists that might know more specifically about the intransit melanoma would be appreciated. 

Thank you so much. 

Warm wishes to all in their fight,

Lee

Thank you so much for your responses!! I am touched and amazed by such a generous and empathic community here! 

Yes, seeded or intransit melanoma is not very common. My mother is seeing a melanoma specialist, Dr. Tara Gangadhar at Univ. of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center. But since intransit is so rare it seems like no one is quite sure of how to best treat this manifestation. Are there melanoma specialists who deal specifically with this type?

My mom has been on Interferon, Ipilimumab (Yervoy), Vemurafenib (Zelboraf), and now Anti-PD-1.  Unfortunately she had a toxic response to Yervoy. So far no negative side effects on PD-1 inhibitor! 

The isolated limb perfusion seems like it may be our only option right now to reduce the tumors on her leg to bring her greater comfort. ILP does have a generally good response rate (close to 80%) though is only expected to last for 10 months and requires a difficult recovery. It is a very hard decision to make. 

We live near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Any recommendations for specialists that might know more specifically about the intransit melanoma would be appreciated. 

Thank you so much. 

Warm wishes to all in their fight,

Lee

Celeste, many thanks for your input and your warm wishes. Yes, there is a good response rate with isolated limb perfusion, but it can't promise a full remission like some immunotherapies. It could give my mom some comfort, so it is just a matter of weighing the pros & cons of the invasive procedure. Seems like she may decide to do it. 

Wishing you so much health and happiness,

Lee

Celeste, many thanks for your input and your warm wishes. Yes, there is a good response rate with isolated limb perfusion, but it can't promise a full remission like some immunotherapies. It could give my mom some comfort, so it is just a matter of weighing the pros & cons of the invasive procedure. Seems like she may decide to do it. 

Wishing you so much health and happiness,

Lee

Celeste, many thanks for your input and your warm wishes. Yes, there is a good response rate with isolated limb perfusion, but it can't promise a full remission like some immunotherapies. It could give my mom some comfort, so it is just a matter of weighing the pros & cons of the invasive procedure. Seems like she may decide to do it. 

Wishing you so much health and happiness,

Lee

Thank you, Julie! It is a comfort to remember that different people respond to different therapies and we can remain optomistic until we find one that works for my mom. I just posted a little more of her treatment history above. 

It's true that folks here have an incredible body of knowledge about mel treatments. Amazing.

Keeping your health and happiness in my thoughts & prayers,

Lee

Thank you, Julie! It is a comfort to remember that different people respond to different therapies and we can remain optomistic until we find one that works for my mom. I just posted a little more of her treatment history above. 

It's true that folks here have an incredible body of knowledge about mel treatments. Amazing.

Keeping your health and happiness in my thoughts & prayers,

Lee

Thank you, Julie! It is a comfort to remember that different people respond to different therapies and we can remain optomistic until we find one that works for my mom. I just posted a little more of her treatment history above. 

It's true that folks here have an incredible body of knowledge about mel treatments. Amazing.

Keeping your health and happiness in my thoughts & prayers,

Lee