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Lkinnaman

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      Lkinnaman
      Participant

      Hi Frank,

      I've had rheumatoid arthritis for over 20 years and recently diagnosed with nodular melanoma on my forearm, microstage T4a, and have been on leflunomide for several years for the RA.

      I specifically sought an oncologist who works with autoimmunity (for the RA) and melanoma. Luckily I have found the best doctor, Dr. Greg Daniels, here at UCSD and he agrees with this line of research.

      Interestingly, my melanoma arose quickly when I was actually off leflunomide for about 4-5 months.

      We never know what will work, but being proactive and informed is the best we can do.

      Good luck!

      Linda

      Lkinnaman
      Participant

      Hi Frank,

      I've had rheumatoid arthritis for over 20 years and recently diagnosed with nodular melanoma on my forearm, microstage T4a, and have been on leflunomide for several years for the RA.

      I specifically sought an oncologist who works with autoimmunity (for the RA) and melanoma. Luckily I have found the best doctor, Dr. Greg Daniels, here at UCSD and he agrees with this line of research.

      Interestingly, my melanoma arose quickly when I was actually off leflunomide for about 4-5 months.

      We never know what will work, but being proactive and informed is the best we can do.

      Good luck!

      Linda

      Lkinnaman
      Participant
      Hi Janner, I was able to find Carver and looked at her blog for for awhile. She is a prolific writer so I still need to find more info.

      Many of the RA meds I took before melanoma came for a visit increased my risk of cancer. I knowingly agreed to the treatment. I had recently started on Actemra which has been FDa approved for about 15 months. I believe this is the culprit but don’t know if I will ever know.

      I currently take leuflenomide for the RA which I believe is in a trial for melanoma treatment.

      Thanks for your advice. I did get a few updates from my path report which I posted in a reply I made in this thread.

      Lkinnaman
      Participant
      Hi Janner, I was able to find Carver and looked at her blog for for awhile. She is a prolific writer so I still need to find more info.

      Many of the RA meds I took before melanoma came for a visit increased my risk of cancer. I knowingly agreed to the treatment. I had recently started on Actemra which has been FDa approved for about 15 months. I believe this is the culprit but don’t know if I will ever know.

      I currently take leuflenomide for the RA which I believe is in a trial for melanoma treatment.

      Thanks for your advice. I did get a few updates from my path report which I posted in a reply I made in this thread.

      Lkinnaman
      Participant
      Michael,
      Thanks for the info. Just got a few updates from the WLE – the Breslow is now 6.0 and a micro stage of T4a but still waiting for clinical correlation for the differential diagnosis and final staging.
      Lkinnaman
      Participant
      Michael,
      Thanks for the info. Just got a few updates from the WLE – the Breslow is now 6.0 and a micro stage of T4a but still waiting for clinical correlation for the differential diagnosis and final staging.
      Lkinnaman
      Participant
      I will definitely look up David Elder. Can my current pathologist send the slides where I direct him/her?

      New to this and just trying to figure out the ropes.

      Thanks so much and best of luck tonyou.

      Lkinnaman
      Participant
      I will definitely look up David Elder. Can my current pathologist send the slides where I direct him/her?

      New to this and just trying to figure out the ropes.

      Thanks so much and best of luck tonyou.

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