Radiation or Not

Peter,

You talked to the surgeon – and he did the surgery. You have talked to an oncologist and they have talked to you about the drugs.  Before you make the decision you need to talk to a radiologist. That's the only way to get informed.  Tell the oncologist that you want to talk to a radiologist that has experience with melanoma and then have a discussion.  After you get all of the pieces then make your decision.  Doing both radiation and high dose interfuron at the same time might be very taxing on your emotional well being.

There is a trial across the country in many hospitals that is for NED stage 3 and 4.  It is interfuron vs yervoy.  You would either get the interfuron that you are planning or doing or the other arm is 10mg of yervoy for 4 infusions over 12 weeks.  The next 3 quarters you would get 1 infusion each quarter.   You will find in this world of looking for a treatment, unfortunately many only tell you the trial that they are offering.  In some of the larger hospitals we've had board members tell us that some only tell us the trial only their particular trial tells us they have and don't tell what else is even offered in the hospital with another Dr.  You have to ask questions to the point where it's exhausting.

I'm not pushing you, if you look into my history (need to update my profile) I've pushed surgeries and only did one trial 5 years ago and recently radiation. I just feel you need to know all of your options. Then think of your own particular history and decide.

Linda   Stage IV since 06

Peter,

You talked to the surgeon – and he did the surgery. You have talked to an oncologist and they have talked to you about the drugs.  Before you make the decision you need to talk to a radiologist. That's the only way to get informed.  Tell the oncologist that you want to talk to a radiologist that has experience with melanoma and then have a discussion.  After you get all of the pieces then make your decision.  Doing both radiation and high dose interfuron at the same time might be very taxing on your emotional well being.

There is a trial across the country in many hospitals that is for NED stage 3 and 4.  It is interfuron vs yervoy.  You would either get the interfuron that you are planning or doing or the other arm is 10mg of yervoy for 4 infusions over 12 weeks.  The next 3 quarters you would get 1 infusion each quarter.   You will find in this world of looking for a treatment, unfortunately many only tell you the trial that they are offering.  In some of the larger hospitals we've had board members tell us that some only tell us the trial only their particular trial tells us they have and don't tell what else is even offered in the hospital with another Dr.  You have to ask questions to the point where it's exhausting.

I'm not pushing you, if you look into my history (need to update my profile) I've pushed surgeries and only did one trial 5 years ago and recently radiation. I just feel you need to know all of your options. Then think of your own particular history and decide.

Linda   Stage IV since 06

Hi Peter,

 I think I responded to you previously. I did radiation to my right axillary (armpit) after all 25 nodes were removed. I had no severe side effects from the radiation but I did get lymphedema in my right arm (for me it's manageable). With surgery alone you have a 21% chance of getting lymphedema. It increases to 42% chance if you add radiation.

 According to what my onc. said radiation decreases the chance of a local recurrence from 60 to 10%. I've had no recurrence to date.

After consulting with my onc. I consulted with a radiologist who regularly treats melanoma patients. I made my decision and found the best radiologist in my area. You need to make an informed decision after speaking with a radiologist.

 Take care,

 Jim M.

Hi Peter,

 I think I responded to you previously. I did radiation to my right axillary (armpit) after all 25 nodes were removed. I had no severe side effects from the radiation but I did get lymphedema in my right arm (for me it's manageable). With surgery alone you have a 21% chance of getting lymphedema. It increases to 42% chance if you add radiation.

 According to what my onc. said radiation decreases the chance of a local recurrence from 60 to 10%. I've had no recurrence to date.

After consulting with my onc. I consulted with a radiologist who regularly treats melanoma patients. I made my decision and found the best radiologist in my area. You need to make an informed decision after speaking with a radiologist.

 Take care,

 Jim M.

I have a similar question.  My husband just had a parotidectomy and neck dissection.  of the 2 oncologists we have spoken to, both have said radiation.

The surgeon was able to save his facial nerve after thinking originally that we were going to sacrifice it due to the location of the tumor.  My concern is that radiation will damage the nerve after working so hard to keep it. 

I have a similar question.  My husband just had a parotidectomy and neck dissection.  of the 2 oncologists we have spoken to, both have said radiation.

The surgeon was able to save his facial nerve after thinking originally that we were going to sacrifice it due to the location of the tumor.  My concern is that radiation will damage the nerve after working so hard to keep it.