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.

H555

View Profile

Base

Bio

initally diagnosed in 1995, small melanoma on my thigh. removed same month, no recurrences, no chemo no radiation.

Subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer related to Agent Orange exposure may 2005, Gleason score of 7. significant involvement throughout prostate, prostatectomy, salvage radiation that winter, BCR failed salvage radiation dx Jan 2010. PSA rising slowly

recurrence of melanoma dx 1 week prior to retirement. swollen inguinal lymph node identified in april 2011, biopsy in june of 2011 confirmed recurrence of Melanoma. surgery june 30, 2011 at OHSU, stage IIIC.

Had 6 high dose radiation treatments Sep, 2011. Did 10 IV Interferon treatments Nov, 2011. stopped by mutual agreement with Oncologist.

Progressed to stage IV, March 2012 Dx with mets and masses in my lungs March 2012, started Zelboraf April 9, 2012.

May 10, I am a strong responder to Zelboraf and markedly improved and that at 2 pills morning and night. Dosage was reduced in response to major skin rash, no real joint pain or fever. also taking 10mg of Prednisone. full scans at the end of May, 2012.

As of May 11 adding back one pill per week, hoping to get back to 4 in the am and 4 in the pm. adding just one (3 in the am and 2 in the pm) seems to have helped already. I’m significantly improved from 2 months ago

Continued Zelboraf with dose modification during nov, dec 2012, good scans in October and November of 2012. Scans in mid-Feb showed one remaining tumor under 10mm in left lung was beginning to grow again and a new tumor of approximately 10mm appeared. Referred to Phase Ib clinical trial at OHSU, trial starts March 27 2013.

Display Name

H555

I am

the patient

Initial Diagnosis Month

May

Initial Diagnosis Year

1995

Stage at Diagnosis

Stage 1

Current Stage

Stage 4