MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
New here… looking for advice.. Stage 3 and treatment options
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.

New here… looking for advice.. Stage 3 and treatment options

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › New here… looking for advice.. Stage 3 and treatment options

  • Post
    • February 7, 2012 at 10:20 pm
    lynndi
    Participant

      I am writting as the daughter of a melanoma patient and am looking for advice as this is all new to me..

      In Oct 2008 there was a skin lesion on left arm that was removed Skin lesion was previous birth mark that started changing.  In Nov 2008, another surgery was completed to get clean borders and such a plastic surgeon assisted with surgery.  Lymph node testing came back clean. She was classified as stage 2.  Life continued as normal.  All checks up til now were good.

      I am writting as the daughter of a melanoma patient and am looking for advice as this is all new to me..

      In Oct 2008 there was a skin lesion on left arm that was removed Skin lesion was previous birth mark that started changing.  In Nov 2008, another surgery was completed to get clean borders and such a plastic surgeon assisted with surgery.  Lymph node testing came back clean. She was classified as stage 2.  Life continued as normal.  All checks up til now were good.

      In Dec 2011 at year 3 check dr felt lump in armpit, ultrasound and biospy showed melanoma.  Brain MRI, PET scan and CT came back clean.  4 weeks ago surgery took out  21 lymph nodes in left armpit, only 1 tested positive and it was big, but intact.  She is now stage 3, but not sure where in stage 3.  We have now been referred to oncology for further treatment.

      Met with oncologist a few days ago, and we will meet radiation specialist in a few days…  Oncologist had 3 choices: 1. wait and see 2. interferon 3. Yervoy clinical trail.

      Does anyone have advice or suggestions with what we should do…. I have done a lot of looking online and found this to be an informative board.. 

      We are in the Southern CA area in Orange County.  My mom is 70, in excellent health and active.

      Thank you

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 7, 2012 at 10:51 pm
        jim Breitfeller
        Participant

          Out of those three options, Yervoy has shown the most promise if there is melanoma in situ.

          Best regards,

           

          Jimmy B.

          • February 7, 2012 at 10:51 pm
          jim Breitfeller
          Participant

            Out of those three options, Yervoy has shown the most promise if there is melanoma in situ.

            Best regards,

             

            Jimmy B.

            • February 7, 2012 at 10:51 pm
            jim Breitfeller
            Participant

              Out of those three options, Yervoy has shown the most promise if there is melanoma in situ.

              Best regards,

               

              Jimmy B.

              • February 8, 2012 at 6:26 am
              LynnLuc
              Participant

                I agree with Jimmy…Yervoy

                • February 8, 2012 at 6:26 am
                LynnLuc
                Participant

                  I agree with Jimmy…Yervoy

                  • February 8, 2012 at 6:26 am
                  LynnLuc
                  Participant

                    I agree with Jimmy…Yervoy

                    • February 8, 2012 at 3:02 pm
                    kjkaralekas
                    Participant

                      Your mom is probably Stage IIIB as I am. For me, it's B because of the size of the tumor found. I had 30 lymph nodes taken out in October and only the 1 with the tumor had melanoma. Mine was encapsulated (meaning that there was no breakage in the lining of the tumor so that there's a chance no other cells broke out). I chose to do Observation but the clinical trial I was given a choice of had a 50/50 chance of interferon and ippi. I didn't want to do interferon. I will be seeing my oncological surgeon every 3 months, my dermatologist every 3 months, my melanoma oncologist at Mass General twice a year and my local oncologist 3 times a year. I've also changed my lifestyle to include mostly veggies, fruits & fish and an occasional piece of organic chicken. It will be a personal choice for your mom but if she has the choice of doing yervoy, why not?

                      Kelly

                      • February 8, 2012 at 3:02 pm
                      kjkaralekas
                      Participant

                        Your mom is probably Stage IIIB as I am. For me, it's B because of the size of the tumor found. I had 30 lymph nodes taken out in October and only the 1 with the tumor had melanoma. Mine was encapsulated (meaning that there was no breakage in the lining of the tumor so that there's a chance no other cells broke out). I chose to do Observation but the clinical trial I was given a choice of had a 50/50 chance of interferon and ippi. I didn't want to do interferon. I will be seeing my oncological surgeon every 3 months, my dermatologist every 3 months, my melanoma oncologist at Mass General twice a year and my local oncologist 3 times a year. I've also changed my lifestyle to include mostly veggies, fruits & fish and an occasional piece of organic chicken. It will be a personal choice for your mom but if she has the choice of doing yervoy, why not?

                        Kelly

                        • February 8, 2012 at 3:02 pm
                        kjkaralekas
                        Participant

                          Your mom is probably Stage IIIB as I am. For me, it's B because of the size of the tumor found. I had 30 lymph nodes taken out in October and only the 1 with the tumor had melanoma. Mine was encapsulated (meaning that there was no breakage in the lining of the tumor so that there's a chance no other cells broke out). I chose to do Observation but the clinical trial I was given a choice of had a 50/50 chance of interferon and ippi. I didn't want to do interferon. I will be seeing my oncological surgeon every 3 months, my dermatologist every 3 months, my melanoma oncologist at Mass General twice a year and my local oncologist 3 times a year. I've also changed my lifestyle to include mostly veggies, fruits & fish and an occasional piece of organic chicken. It will be a personal choice for your mom but if she has the choice of doing yervoy, why not?

                          Kelly

                      Viewing 8 reply threads
                      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                      About the MRF Patient Forum

                      The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                      The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                      Popular Topics