triggerfish

Thank you.  That's valuable advice for sure.  Dad is having a PetScan tomorrow, and I think we'll decide what direction to go after we get results from that.  Obviously, if there are areas of concern, that will need to be addressed first.  If it's clean, we'll make a decision on the Interferon, and probably look into getting a 3rd opinion. Unfortunately, I don't think the 3rd opinion will matter much in terms of whether or not to do the Interferon.  I believe that should be started within 70 days of WLE and I highly doubt we'd be able to get an appointment with a reputable specialist in that short of a time period.  We're already a little over a month and half removed from his initial surgery.  I need to arrange to get a all of his records in my possession soon though, as once we have chosen a 3rd opinion, I can get that information to them ASAP.

This is a relentless disease.  I think we all breathed a sigh of relief after the surgery and the initial positive news regarding his SLNB.  But that feeling was short-lived, as we were soon thrown back into decision making process regarding possible treatment.  I guess I'm guilty in that I kinda just expected the Oncologist to take the "watch and wait" approach in my Dad's case.  When he recommended Interferon, it definitely threw us all for a bit of a loop.  But we'll get it figured out and continue the fight.  "One step at a time" is what I keep preaching to my Dad.  "We'll cross bridges as we come to them".  But that advice is often easier to say than practice.  Thanks again! 

Thank you.  That's valuable advice for sure.  Dad is having a PetScan tomorrow, and I think we'll decide what direction to go after we get results from that.  Obviously, if there are areas of concern, that will need to be addressed first.  If it's clean, we'll make a decision on the Interferon, and probably look into getting a 3rd opinion. Unfortunately, I don't think the 3rd opinion will matter much in terms of whether or not to do the Interferon.  I believe that should be started within 70 days of WLE and I highly doubt we'd be able to get an appointment with a reputable specialist in that short of a time period.  We're already a little over a month and half removed from his initial surgery.  I need to arrange to get a all of his records in my possession soon though, as once we have chosen a 3rd opinion, I can get that information to them ASAP.

This is a relentless disease.  I think we all breathed a sigh of relief after the surgery and the initial positive news regarding his SLNB.  But that feeling was short-lived, as we were soon thrown back into decision making process regarding possible treatment.  I guess I'm guilty in that I kinda just expected the Oncologist to take the "watch and wait" approach in my Dad's case.  When he recommended Interferon, it definitely threw us all for a bit of a loop.  But we'll get it figured out and continue the fight.  "One step at a time" is what I keep preaching to my Dad.  "We'll cross bridges as we come to them".  But that advice is often easier to say than practice.  Thanks again! 

Thank you.  That's valuable advice for sure.  Dad is having a PetScan tomorrow, and I think we'll decide what direction to go after we get results from that.  Obviously, if there are areas of concern, that will need to be addressed first.  If it's clean, we'll make a decision on the Interferon, and probably look into getting a 3rd opinion. Unfortunately, I don't think the 3rd opinion will matter much in terms of whether or not to do the Interferon.  I believe that should be started within 70 days of WLE and I highly doubt we'd be able to get an appointment with a reputable specialist in that short of a time period.  We're already a little over a month and half removed from his initial surgery.  I need to arrange to get a all of his records in my possession soon though, as once we have chosen a 3rd opinion, I can get that information to them ASAP.

This is a relentless disease.  I think we all breathed a sigh of relief after the surgery and the initial positive news regarding his SLNB.  But that feeling was short-lived, as we were soon thrown back into decision making process regarding possible treatment.  I guess I'm guilty in that I kinda just expected the Oncologist to take the "watch and wait" approach in my Dad's case.  When he recommended Interferon, it definitely threw us all for a bit of a loop.  But we'll get it figured out and continue the fight.  "One step at a time" is what I keep preaching to my Dad.  "We'll cross bridges as we come to them".  But that advice is often easier to say than practice.  Thanks again! 

Thanks so much for your replies.  It's frustrating when you're trying to make an informed decicion on treatment, and the information just isn't there for my Dad's particular case.  Regardless, I still don't believe that Interferon is the right choice for him, with his MS and significant depression history.  In one of the big studies (I believe it was Kirkwood's), there was only a small subset of individuals who fit my Dad's characteristics in terms of tumor type (there were only 11 in the study), and for some reason these 11 individuals responded poorly to Interferon.  It's difficult to take much from that, since it's such a small sample size.  But what are the chances that all 11 did poorly with Interferon?  It makes me think there must be SOME connection, although it would require further study.  Since this type of melanoma accounts for only about 4% of cases though, I'm not holding my breath that there will be groundbreaking information coming out about Spindle Cell Melanoma.  I understand of course, as it makes sense to do research to benefit the majority of cases.  But it is indeed a little discouraging.

Thanks so much for your replies.  It's frustrating when you're trying to make an informed decicion on treatment, and the information just isn't there for my Dad's particular case.  Regardless, I still don't believe that Interferon is the right choice for him, with his MS and significant depression history.  In one of the big studies (I believe it was Kirkwood's), there was only a small subset of individuals who fit my Dad's characteristics in terms of tumor type (there were only 11 in the study), and for some reason these 11 individuals responded poorly to Interferon.  It's difficult to take much from that, since it's such a small sample size.  But what are the chances that all 11 did poorly with Interferon?  It makes me think there must be SOME connection, although it would require further study.  Since this type of melanoma accounts for only about 4% of cases though, I'm not holding my breath that there will be groundbreaking information coming out about Spindle Cell Melanoma.  I understand of course, as it makes sense to do research to benefit the majority of cases.  But it is indeed a little discouraging.

Thanks so much for your replies.  It's frustrating when you're trying to make an informed decicion on treatment, and the information just isn't there for my Dad's particular case.  Regardless, I still don't believe that Interferon is the right choice for him, with his MS and significant depression history.  In one of the big studies (I believe it was Kirkwood's), there was only a small subset of individuals who fit my Dad's characteristics in terms of tumor type (there were only 11 in the study), and for some reason these 11 individuals responded poorly to Interferon.  It's difficult to take much from that, since it's such a small sample size.  But what are the chances that all 11 did poorly with Interferon?  It makes me think there must be SOME connection, although it would require further study.  Since this type of melanoma accounts for only about 4% of cases though, I'm not holding my breath that there will be groundbreaking information coming out about Spindle Cell Melanoma.  I understand of course, as it makes sense to do research to benefit the majority of cases.  But it is indeed a little discouraging.

I did find this particular study, but that's literally almost all I could find.  I haven't been able to locate any sources either about what exactly is different about them, much less how they should be treated differently.  It just doesn't appear that there's much valuable research regarding this variant of Melanoma. 

This study indicates that they have propensities for certain stains pathologically, but offers really nothing else of significant importance. 

Thanks for your response though!  Yes, I've been paying clse attention to the dates on articles and studies, as I realize the older ones are likely outdated now.  But that's great advice of course. 

I did find this particular study, but that's literally almost all I could find.  I haven't been able to locate any sources either about what exactly is different about them, much less how they should be treated differently.  It just doesn't appear that there's much valuable research regarding this variant of Melanoma. 

This study indicates that they have propensities for certain stains pathologically, but offers really nothing else of significant importance. 

Thanks for your response though!  Yes, I've been paying clse attention to the dates on articles and studies, as I realize the older ones are likely outdated now.  But that's great advice of course. 

I did find this particular study, but that's literally almost all I could find.  I haven't been able to locate any sources either about what exactly is different about them, much less how they should be treated differently.  It just doesn't appear that there's much valuable research regarding this variant of Melanoma. 

This study indicates that they have propensities for certain stains pathologically, but offers really nothing else of significant importance. 

Thanks for your response though!  Yes, I've been paying clse attention to the dates on articles and studies, as I realize the older ones are likely outdated now.  But that's great advice of course. 

Oooops!  So very sorry.  I should have checked your profile perhaps.  In any case, your father was extremely fortunate to have a loving CHILD (in this case a DAUGHTER) such as you!  🙂

Oooops!  So very sorry.  I should have checked your profile perhaps.  In any case, your father was extremely fortunate to have a loving CHILD (in this case a DAUGHTER) such as you!  🙂

Oooops!  So very sorry.  I should have checked your profile perhaps.  In any case, your father was extremely fortunate to have a loving CHILD (in this case a DAUGHTER) such as you!  🙂

Also,  my condolences on the loss of your Dad.  He was extremely blessed to have a son like you in his corner. 

Also,  my condolences on the loss of your Dad.  He was extremely blessed to have a son like you in his corner. 

Also,  my condolences on the loss of your Dad.  He was extremely blessed to have a son like you in his corner.