MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Lkinnaman
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.

Lkinnaman

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 1 reply thread
  • Replies
      • June 15, 2011 at 3:53 pm
      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

        • June 15, 2011 at 3:53 pm
        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

          • April 1, 2011 at 5:11 am
          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.

            • April 1, 2011 at 5:11 am
            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.

              • April 1, 2011 at 4:54 am
              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.
                • April 1, 2011 at 4:54 am
                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.
                  • April 1, 2011 at 4:44 am
                  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.

                    • April 1, 2011 at 4:44 am
                    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.

                  Viewing 1 reply thread