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My father has chosen to start biochemotherapy this week.  We are still waiting on the final results of his biopsy to determine if he tests positive for BRAF or CKIT.  The doctor did not feel he was healthy enough to just do IL-2, so they are going with biochemo which includes some IL-2.

He was supposed to start his first treatment today, but his kidney levels are not good and he has a high white blood cell count.  My father only has one functioning kidney at this time, the other one is the size of a peanut which happened years ago and was not related to his cancer.

His body is really puffed up and full of fluids right now.  If he can't handle biochemo what other options are there?  The doctor did state if he did not respond to the biochemo the next step was to move to IPPI.  He has to fail a treatment first before that will become an option.

Anyone with experience similar to this I would love to hear your thoughts.  Thank you in advance.

My father has chosen to start biochemotherapy this week.  We are still waiting on the final results of his biopsy to determine if he tests positive for BRAF or CKIT.  The doctor did not feel he was healthy enough to just do IL-2, so they are going with biochemo which includes some IL-2.

He was supposed to start his first treatment today, but his kidney levels are not good and he has a high white blood cell count.  My father only has one functioning kidney at this time, the other one is the size of a peanut which happened years ago and was not related to his cancer.

His body is really puffed up and full of fluids right now.  If he can't handle biochemo what other options are there?  The doctor did state if he did not respond to the biochemo the next step was to move to IPPI.  He has to fail a treatment first before that will become an option.

Anyone with experience similar to this I would love to hear your thoughts.  Thank you in advance.

Thank you for your response Linda.  Yes my dad is seeing a melanoma specialist in Kansas City.  I guess my point was I know that many trials can only be done in specific locations.  We are able and willing to help him get to wherever he needs to go if that is his best option.

Having the tumor tested for B-raf, what info would that give us?  Are their specific treatments based upon this test?

I have done some reading about Ippi, do you have anymore info on this?

He has had a brain MRI done last week and that came back good.

I hope this extra info helps.

Thank you for your response Linda.  Yes my dad is seeing a melanoma specialist in Kansas City.  I guess my point was I know that many trials can only be done in specific locations.  We are able and willing to help him get to wherever he needs to go if that is his best option.

Having the tumor tested for B-raf, what info would that give us?  Are their specific treatments based upon this test?

I have done some reading about Ippi, do you have anymore info on this?

He has had a brain MRI done last week and that came back good.

I hope this extra info helps.