Should we start OPDIVO
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Should we start OPDIVO

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Should we start OPDIVO

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    • March 29, 2019 at 11:45 pm
    pluked21
    Participant

      My husband just had a stage 3, 4.5 ml thick area removed along with the lymph nodes. We are told there is now no cancer detected, verified by biopsy and CT, MRI. The oncologist is recommending an every 4 weeks treatment of OPDIVO for one year.

      He is 83 years old with health issues, A-Fib, aortic anurysm , enlarged right side of heart, CHF. He is still active and working as a shuttle driver part time. My concern if he startes this is the side effects that may/will hit him. Just the past 2 weeks since surgery not being able to work has run him down. I can't imagin if he feels weak, joint pain more than he now has, etc if he takes the infusion.

      At his age and history is this a good idea or should we just really watch for a reocurrance of a melanoma and checks with doctor evry 3 months?

       

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        • March 30, 2019 at 12:25 am
        Edwin
        Participant

          I am 75 years old, have stage 4 melanoma and have received Opdivo for 3 years.  Side effects of Opdivo alone have been minimal.   I have some fatigue for about 2 days after an infusion of Opdivo.  You might consider starting Opdivo immunotherapy and stopping, if side effects are unacceptable.  I do not know whether I would choose immunotherapy, if I were age 83 and had stage 3 melanoma.

            • March 30, 2019 at 4:04 pm
            pluked21
            Participant

              Why would you be hesitant to choose immunotherapy at 83 years old and stage 3? is it age or stage three?

              • March 30, 2019 at 6:51 pm
              Edwin
              Participant

                It is the combination.   I can not advise you.   For me Opdivo immunotherapy side effects are not a problem.

                • July 17, 2019 at 3:17 am
                pluked21
                Participant
                  Update, he opted for monthly skin checks and just had a 3 month PETScan that was clear and negative. Oncologist will see him in 3 mos but he will still do monthly skin checks.
                • March 30, 2019 at 2:04 am
                Bubbles
                Participant

                  Hi Patty,

                  Your question is a valid one with no absolute answers.  It is pretty easy to decide that treatment is more necessary when you are Stage IV vs Stage III.  Stage III patients who are not 83 have a lot to think about in making the decision to partake in adjuvant therapy!!!  But, on the topic of age…there is research that immunotherapy, like the Opdivo you are considering…is as well tolerated in the elderly as it is in anybody else.

                  Here is a report (with a link within) from 2017: 

                  https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/12/elderly-melanoma-patients-and.html

                  Here is a report from 2018:  https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2018/08/elderly-in-need-of-immunotherapy-can.html  

                  So, none of these reports say that elderly folks don't get side effects to Opdivo.  They do say that they get them no worse, nor with greater frequency, than younger folks taking the same meds.  So, it is still a tricky decision for all Stage III melanoma peeps.  But, I think Edwin makes a good point, no matter your age.  You can start treatment.  If side effects make things too difficult or miserable – stop.  

                  Hope this helps.  celeste

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