Stage 3b or 3c Treatment Options at MDA

If you are Stage IIIB/C resectable, the only FDA approved treatment is Interferon. It has some pretty harsh side effects and if you are destined to have a recurrence, it may delay that recurrence by about a year. It has only about a 5% efficacy rate for melanoma never coming back. This treatment is rapidly becoming "old school" and fewer places are offering it as a option. Now, even given that, folks who have taken it and have made it through treatments have no regrets. But there are others who have had to discontinue treatment because the side effects were intolerable or they had a recurrence. 

Whether or not to do interferon if it's offered, is a personal decision. You will need to do some homework on it. 

If you are Stage IIIC unresectable, meaning they were not able to remove your melanoma, then Yervoy may be an option.

Anderson is is a large cancer center and may have a clinical trial to offer you, if you qualify. A number of Stage III folks here have opted for trials, myself included.

You may also be offered "observation" only, meaning you visit your onc and get scans on a regular basis that decrease over time. 

Regardless of what you are offered and what you end up choosing, you are in good hands at Anderson.

If you are Stage IIIB/C resectable, the only FDA approved treatment is Interferon. It has some pretty harsh side effects and if you are destined to have a recurrence, it may delay that recurrence by about a year. It has only about a 5% efficacy rate for melanoma never coming back. This treatment is rapidly becoming "old school" and fewer places are offering it as a option. Now, even given that, folks who have taken it and have made it through treatments have no regrets. But there are others who have had to discontinue treatment because the side effects were intolerable or they had a recurrence. 

Whether or not to do interferon if it's offered, is a personal decision. You will need to do some homework on it. 

If you are Stage IIIC unresectable, meaning they were not able to remove your melanoma, then Yervoy may be an option.

Anderson is is a large cancer center and may have a clinical trial to offer you, if you qualify. A number of Stage III folks here have opted for trials, myself included.

You may also be offered "observation" only, meaning you visit your onc and get scans on a regular basis that decrease over time. 

Regardless of what you are offered and what you end up choosing, you are in good hands at Anderson.

If you are Stage IIIB/C resectable, the only FDA approved treatment is Interferon. It has some pretty harsh side effects and if you are destined to have a recurrence, it may delay that recurrence by about a year. It has only about a 5% efficacy rate for melanoma never coming back. This treatment is rapidly becoming "old school" and fewer places are offering it as a option. Now, even given that, folks who have taken it and have made it through treatments have no regrets. But there are others who have had to discontinue treatment because the side effects were intolerable or they had a recurrence. 

Whether or not to do interferon if it's offered, is a personal decision. You will need to do some homework on it. 

If you are Stage IIIC unresectable, meaning they were not able to remove your melanoma, then Yervoy may be an option.

Anderson is is a large cancer center and may have a clinical trial to offer you, if you qualify. A number of Stage III folks here have opted for trials, myself included.

You may also be offered "observation" only, meaning you visit your onc and get scans on a regular basis that decrease over time. 

Regardless of what you are offered and what you end up choosing, you are in good hands at Anderson.

I have gone through several lymph node dissections in my groin area there at MDA.  I was stage 3 as well. We live in the Dallas area and travel back and forth every few months. Dr Gershenwald is my surgical oncologist and as without a doubt one of the best. If not the best. Just within the past few weeks  the fad has approved a new drug combo for melanoma. It is yervoy or ipi/nivo combination as its being referred. Unfortunately they found another lymph node deep in my pelvic area this past week and we are looking at that route. The days of interferon and horrible side effects with little positive reactions are almost behind us. This new drug combo looks very promising. Feel free to find me on Facebook under my name [chris ellsworth] and I will be happy to answer any questions the best I can. I think my profile picture has a picture of me kayaking. 

I have gone through several lymph node dissections in my groin area there at MDA.  I was stage 3 as well. We live in the Dallas area and travel back and forth every few months. Dr Gershenwald is my surgical oncologist and as without a doubt one of the best. If not the best. Just within the past few weeks  the fad has approved a new drug combo for melanoma. It is yervoy or ipi/nivo combination as its being referred. Unfortunately they found another lymph node deep in my pelvic area this past week and we are looking at that route. The days of interferon and horrible side effects with little positive reactions are almost behind us. This new drug combo looks very promising. Feel free to find me on Facebook under my name [chris ellsworth] and I will be happy to answer any questions the best I can. I think my profile picture has a picture of me kayaking. 

I have gone through several lymph node dissections in my groin area there at MDA.  I was stage 3 as well. We live in the Dallas area and travel back and forth every few months. Dr Gershenwald is my surgical oncologist and as without a doubt one of the best. If not the best. Just within the past few weeks  the fad has approved a new drug combo for melanoma. It is yervoy or ipi/nivo combination as its being referred. Unfortunately they found another lymph node deep in my pelvic area this past week and we are looking at that route. The days of interferon and horrible side effects with little positive reactions are almost behind us. This new drug combo looks very promising. Feel free to find me on Facebook under my name [chris ellsworth] and I will be happy to answer any questions the best I can. I think my profile picture has a picture of me kayaking.