Thoughts on reaction to Ipi

First of all, may I thank the users of this forum for the rich source of information and support they have provided to me for the best part of a year now. After finding out my father had inoperable stage 4 melanoma last year, I have been a regular visitor to this website and find the strength, determination and bravery of the contributors both humbling and inspiring.

First of all, may I thank the users of this forum for the rich source of information and support they have provided to me for the best part of a year now. After finding out my father had inoperable stage 4 melanoma last year, I have been a regular visitor to this website and find the strength, determination and bravery of the contributors both humbling and inspiring.

My father's melanoma began on his penis, which, I understand, is very unusual. After partial amputation, the melanoma spread via the lymph nodes in his groin to his stomach. He experiences a great deal of pain and eating makes it a lot worse.

He received six doses of Decarbazine, which helped enormously. He was scanned twice, each time after three doses, and, on each occasion, the tumours had either shrunk or stabilised. About six weeks after the last dose of Decarbazine, my father started to get quite ill again – he started to lose weight rapidly again and the abdominal pain returned with a vengeance. It was the oncologist’s opinion that, if the melanoma had begun to grow again so soon after the last dose of Decarbazine, more Decarbazine was not the way forward. He was therefore offered Ipi. Almost three weeks after the first infusion, a large patch of vitiligo has appeared on his arm and he has constant abdominal pain, especially in his right side. I am aware that this could be his kidney, and blood tests revealed that his kidney function was not optimal. However, given that they went ahead and gave him his second infusion yesterday, I am assuming that they considered it safe to do so.

My father is now telling me that a lump has appeared in his stomach. Am I being hopeful, or could this all be evidence that he is responding to Ipi already? I have read many times on this site that depigmentation and inflammation of the tumours are all positive signs. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you,

Marcus