› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage IIc All new to us… help!
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MikeWI.
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- January 19, 2013 at 1:37 am
Hi, This site appears to be just we are looking for. My brother has recently been diagnosed IIc and we have to make the decision about watch and wait or try the peg interferon for 5 years. My brother, Kevin, has some congitive issues from birth that affect his balance and his short-term memory. He does fine when he is able to follow a routine but otherwise, he gets confused. He came through the surgery well and nodes were clear, hence the IIc. But his initial path report was pretty bad (Clark IV, 5.4 mil and ulcerated.)
Hi, This site appears to be just we are looking for. My brother has recently been diagnosed IIc and we have to make the decision about watch and wait or try the peg interferon for 5 years. My brother, Kevin, has some congitive issues from birth that affect his balance and his short-term memory. He does fine when he is able to follow a routine but otherwise, he gets confused. He came through the surgery well and nodes were clear, hence the IIc. But his initial path report was pretty bad (Clark IV, 5.4 mil and ulcerated.)
My brothers and I have to help Kevin make this decision. We have several questions. We are concerned about the side affects completely interfering with his routine and therefore negatively impacting his quality of life. Questions like:
1. We have read about memory loss and a sense of confusion while on interferon. Has anyone experienced this and how bad is it? does is go away (does full memory return) when treatments are stopped.
2. Fatigue. Kevin is a runner. He is 55 and in great health. His greatest joy is to run several miles a day. Is there any way that he would be able to continue with this type of activity?
3. Results. Kevin's doctors are indicating that there is some evidence that this treatment has been effective in 15 – 20% of IIc patients. What do you folks think about the reality of peg interfuron making a difference in the long run. Doctors have said that the surgery went well and there is a 50/50 chance that it could rear its' ugly head again or never be seen again.
I am sure that these questions have been asked and answered before, but this is all new to us and we really could use some insight from those who have had similar experiences.
Thanks so much for any information.
Deb
- Replies
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- January 19, 2013 at 3:58 am
Hi Deb,
I am so sorry your brother has been diagnosed with IIc melanoma. I am happy for you that you have found this site as I know it will be so helpful and there are so many knowledgeable members who can offer good, sound medical advice. I am a stage IV survivor and I have done a lot of wait and watch and much surgery to remove many (15) subcutaneous tumors, since I was diagnosed 3 years ago. They are making such great strides in melanoma treatments, it is beneficial to wait if you can.
I wouldn't consider anything until I met with a melanoma specialist, that part is extremely important! Even at stage IV, my oncologist would not prescribe interferon for me as there are other options that can provide a better outcome. Take your time, gather all the facts and read, read, read as much as you can. You can do a search on this website and find lots of helpful information from others who have asked the same questions or shared their experiences. I think at stage IIc , you have the time to thoroughly search and get 2nd opinions and get a better feel for what you are up against.
Keep asking questions and posting….we're all here to help! Someone more knowledgeable than me will surely post soon to offer you some more helpful information!
Take care,
Swanee
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- January 19, 2013 at 3:58 am
Hi Deb,
I am so sorry your brother has been diagnosed with IIc melanoma. I am happy for you that you have found this site as I know it will be so helpful and there are so many knowledgeable members who can offer good, sound medical advice. I am a stage IV survivor and I have done a lot of wait and watch and much surgery to remove many (15) subcutaneous tumors, since I was diagnosed 3 years ago. They are making such great strides in melanoma treatments, it is beneficial to wait if you can.
I wouldn't consider anything until I met with a melanoma specialist, that part is extremely important! Even at stage IV, my oncologist would not prescribe interferon for me as there are other options that can provide a better outcome. Take your time, gather all the facts and read, read, read as much as you can. You can do a search on this website and find lots of helpful information from others who have asked the same questions or shared their experiences. I think at stage IIc , you have the time to thoroughly search and get 2nd opinions and get a better feel for what you are up against.
Keep asking questions and posting….we're all here to help! Someone more knowledgeable than me will surely post soon to offer you some more helpful information!
Take care,
Swanee
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- January 19, 2013 at 3:58 am
Hi Deb,
I am so sorry your brother has been diagnosed with IIc melanoma. I am happy for you that you have found this site as I know it will be so helpful and there are so many knowledgeable members who can offer good, sound medical advice. I am a stage IV survivor and I have done a lot of wait and watch and much surgery to remove many (15) subcutaneous tumors, since I was diagnosed 3 years ago. They are making such great strides in melanoma treatments, it is beneficial to wait if you can.
I wouldn't consider anything until I met with a melanoma specialist, that part is extremely important! Even at stage IV, my oncologist would not prescribe interferon for me as there are other options that can provide a better outcome. Take your time, gather all the facts and read, read, read as much as you can. You can do a search on this website and find lots of helpful information from others who have asked the same questions or shared their experiences. I think at stage IIc , you have the time to thoroughly search and get 2nd opinions and get a better feel for what you are up against.
Keep asking questions and posting….we're all here to help! Someone more knowledgeable than me will surely post soon to offer you some more helpful information!
Take care,
Swanee
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- January 19, 2013 at 7:54 am
Hi Deb,
So sorry about your brother's diagnosis, but you have come to the right place. I absolutely agree with Swanee – find a melanoma specialist. Melanoma is a different type of cancer and you really need an onc who specializes in it.
One difficulty with predicting the effects of interferon is that it's highly variable. Some people have little to no side effects while others are debilitated. I did a month of high dose and made it through 6 months of 3x week shots. I suffered from fatigue, nausea, depression, and severe weight loss. I was also in my mid 50's and athletic when I did interferon but by the second month I couldn't walk across the room. That is just my experience and your brother may do OK.
Interferon is controversial even among melanoma specialists so I don't think there will be an easy answer for you. The stats most frequently cited are that it may delay recurrence by 8-9 months in a proportion of patients, but I haven't kept up on the findings. Do your research, consult with a specialist, and use the search function on this board to get a better sample of experiences.
Good luck to you and your brother. Please post updates if you feel like it.
Fen
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- January 19, 2013 at 7:54 am
Hi Deb,
So sorry about your brother's diagnosis, but you have come to the right place. I absolutely agree with Swanee – find a melanoma specialist. Melanoma is a different type of cancer and you really need an onc who specializes in it.
One difficulty with predicting the effects of interferon is that it's highly variable. Some people have little to no side effects while others are debilitated. I did a month of high dose and made it through 6 months of 3x week shots. I suffered from fatigue, nausea, depression, and severe weight loss. I was also in my mid 50's and athletic when I did interferon but by the second month I couldn't walk across the room. That is just my experience and your brother may do OK.
Interferon is controversial even among melanoma specialists so I don't think there will be an easy answer for you. The stats most frequently cited are that it may delay recurrence by 8-9 months in a proportion of patients, but I haven't kept up on the findings. Do your research, consult with a specialist, and use the search function on this board to get a better sample of experiences.
Good luck to you and your brother. Please post updates if you feel like it.
Fen
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- January 19, 2013 at 7:54 am
Hi Deb,
So sorry about your brother's diagnosis, but you have come to the right place. I absolutely agree with Swanee – find a melanoma specialist. Melanoma is a different type of cancer and you really need an onc who specializes in it.
One difficulty with predicting the effects of interferon is that it's highly variable. Some people have little to no side effects while others are debilitated. I did a month of high dose and made it through 6 months of 3x week shots. I suffered from fatigue, nausea, depression, and severe weight loss. I was also in my mid 50's and athletic when I did interferon but by the second month I couldn't walk across the room. That is just my experience and your brother may do OK.
Interferon is controversial even among melanoma specialists so I don't think there will be an easy answer for you. The stats most frequently cited are that it may delay recurrence by 8-9 months in a proportion of patients, but I haven't kept up on the findings. Do your research, consult with a specialist, and use the search function on this board to get a better sample of experiences.
Good luck to you and your brother. Please post updates if you feel like it.
Fen
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- January 19, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Deb, I am also sorry you have reason to search this board out, but glad you have found it. I have found the members here to be a wellspring of help, knowledge, hope, advice and encouragement. I can say that I agree with the suggestions that your brother be seen by a melanoma specialist. This is more important now than ever because the treatments are rapidly advancing and changing too much for a general medical oncologist to possibly keep up with. I cannot say whether or not going the interferon route is best, but would certainly seek that advice from a specialist. I did do 1 month of the high dose IV interferon and completed 5 months of the at home injections before I desided to call it stops. For me, the side effects were pretty intense. I had short term memory loss ( had to begin to write down everything I hoped to remember, extreme fatigue, and depression ( which is the opposite of my natural tendency). Unable to do anything most of the time, I was in my early 40s and in excellent health otherwise and good shape. It floored me. BUT… treatments vary for different people, so that is not to assume he would have a hard time. My memory returned to normal after a while off the interferon. All the side effects were temporary for me and after a while off Interferon, I felt well again.THese are very personal and difficult decisions to make. My decision was only made after traveling to see one of the pioneering Drs of Interferon back then. With the rapidly changing face of melanoma treatments, seeking a specialist is very important and helpful.
Best wishes to you and your brother as you all seek to make the best decisions & come here often as you need or want… you will find it a great sounding board.
Tina
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- January 19, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Deb, I am also sorry you have reason to search this board out, but glad you have found it. I have found the members here to be a wellspring of help, knowledge, hope, advice and encouragement. I can say that I agree with the suggestions that your brother be seen by a melanoma specialist. This is more important now than ever because the treatments are rapidly advancing and changing too much for a general medical oncologist to possibly keep up with. I cannot say whether or not going the interferon route is best, but would certainly seek that advice from a specialist. I did do 1 month of the high dose IV interferon and completed 5 months of the at home injections before I desided to call it stops. For me, the side effects were pretty intense. I had short term memory loss ( had to begin to write down everything I hoped to remember, extreme fatigue, and depression ( which is the opposite of my natural tendency). Unable to do anything most of the time, I was in my early 40s and in excellent health otherwise and good shape. It floored me. BUT… treatments vary for different people, so that is not to assume he would have a hard time. My memory returned to normal after a while off the interferon. All the side effects were temporary for me and after a while off Interferon, I felt well again.THese are very personal and difficult decisions to make. My decision was only made after traveling to see one of the pioneering Drs of Interferon back then. With the rapidly changing face of melanoma treatments, seeking a specialist is very important and helpful.
Best wishes to you and your brother as you all seek to make the best decisions & come here often as you need or want… you will find it a great sounding board.
Tina
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- January 20, 2013 at 4:49 am
I appreciate the responses that we have received so far. We feel that we are working with a good team. Kevin is being treated at Mass General in Boston. They have melanoma specialists and came highly recommended from others who have had to deal with similar issues. We travel about 1.5 hours to get there, but obviously that is nothing to get superior care.
The severe side affects are so frightening. It seems to me that the only reason to give the peg-interfuron a try is so that later you never have to say: would have, could have, should have. We are struggling with the quality of life issues and given Kevin's inherent special needs, we are not sure how much more we can ask of him.
Tina, you speak of writing down things to remember them. This is an everyday task for Kevin. He lives by his notes. We are so afraid that if his memory gets any worse that he will lose his independence. there does not seem to be much research on whether memory can be permanently affected in the long-term by these treatments. A local radio personality who has been publicly discussing his treatments for his stage III melanoma recently finished his one year of interfuron and is very concerned that his 'fogginess' and 'memory' issures are not returning to normal yet.
We will be meeting again with the medical onconolgist to discuss the options. At first he (Dr. Lawrence) was recommending the peg-inf, but after learning more about Kevin and his lifestyle and limitations, he is questioning the long term effects.
We will continue to research and read, but we are leaning toward a wait and watch decision.
For those of you have chosen not to do the treatments, was it a good decision for you?
thanks again for all your input. Any contribution is greatly appreciated.
Deb
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- January 20, 2013 at 4:49 am
I appreciate the responses that we have received so far. We feel that we are working with a good team. Kevin is being treated at Mass General in Boston. They have melanoma specialists and came highly recommended from others who have had to deal with similar issues. We travel about 1.5 hours to get there, but obviously that is nothing to get superior care.
The severe side affects are so frightening. It seems to me that the only reason to give the peg-interfuron a try is so that later you never have to say: would have, could have, should have. We are struggling with the quality of life issues and given Kevin's inherent special needs, we are not sure how much more we can ask of him.
Tina, you speak of writing down things to remember them. This is an everyday task for Kevin. He lives by his notes. We are so afraid that if his memory gets any worse that he will lose his independence. there does not seem to be much research on whether memory can be permanently affected in the long-term by these treatments. A local radio personality who has been publicly discussing his treatments for his stage III melanoma recently finished his one year of interfuron and is very concerned that his 'fogginess' and 'memory' issures are not returning to normal yet.
We will be meeting again with the medical onconolgist to discuss the options. At first he (Dr. Lawrence) was recommending the peg-inf, but after learning more about Kevin and his lifestyle and limitations, he is questioning the long term effects.
We will continue to research and read, but we are leaning toward a wait and watch decision.
For those of you have chosen not to do the treatments, was it a good decision for you?
thanks again for all your input. Any contribution is greatly appreciated.
Deb
-
- January 20, 2013 at 4:49 am
I appreciate the responses that we have received so far. We feel that we are working with a good team. Kevin is being treated at Mass General in Boston. They have melanoma specialists and came highly recommended from others who have had to deal with similar issues. We travel about 1.5 hours to get there, but obviously that is nothing to get superior care.
The severe side affects are so frightening. It seems to me that the only reason to give the peg-interfuron a try is so that later you never have to say: would have, could have, should have. We are struggling with the quality of life issues and given Kevin's inherent special needs, we are not sure how much more we can ask of him.
Tina, you speak of writing down things to remember them. This is an everyday task for Kevin. He lives by his notes. We are so afraid that if his memory gets any worse that he will lose his independence. there does not seem to be much research on whether memory can be permanently affected in the long-term by these treatments. A local radio personality who has been publicly discussing his treatments for his stage III melanoma recently finished his one year of interfuron and is very concerned that his 'fogginess' and 'memory' issures are not returning to normal yet.
We will be meeting again with the medical onconolgist to discuss the options. At first he (Dr. Lawrence) was recommending the peg-inf, but after learning more about Kevin and his lifestyle and limitations, he is questioning the long term effects.
We will continue to research and read, but we are leaning toward a wait and watch decision.
For those of you have chosen not to do the treatments, was it a good decision for you?
thanks again for all your input. Any contribution is greatly appreciated.
Deb
-
- January 19, 2013 at 11:37 pm
Deb, I am also sorry you have reason to search this board out, but glad you have found it. I have found the members here to be a wellspring of help, knowledge, hope, advice and encouragement. I can say that I agree with the suggestions that your brother be seen by a melanoma specialist. This is more important now than ever because the treatments are rapidly advancing and changing too much for a general medical oncologist to possibly keep up with. I cannot say whether or not going the interferon route is best, but would certainly seek that advice from a specialist. I did do 1 month of the high dose IV interferon and completed 5 months of the at home injections before I desided to call it stops. For me, the side effects were pretty intense. I had short term memory loss ( had to begin to write down everything I hoped to remember, extreme fatigue, and depression ( which is the opposite of my natural tendency). Unable to do anything most of the time, I was in my early 40s and in excellent health otherwise and good shape. It floored me. BUT… treatments vary for different people, so that is not to assume he would have a hard time. My memory returned to normal after a while off the interferon. All the side effects were temporary for me and after a while off Interferon, I felt well again.THese are very personal and difficult decisions to make. My decision was only made after traveling to see one of the pioneering Drs of Interferon back then. With the rapidly changing face of melanoma treatments, seeking a specialist is very important and helpful.
Best wishes to you and your brother as you all seek to make the best decisions & come here often as you need or want… you will find it a great sounding board.
Tina
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- January 20, 2013 at 6:32 am
All the immunotherapies seem to have some mental side effects (confusion, depression, etc). Sometimes they seem to completely clear up, often not all the way. Interferon seems to have the reputation for having the most mental side effects for the lowest value likely to be received.
The Study:
points out that the 9.3 months delay was from a study where the patients had a 25.5 month time to re-occurance if without it and a 34.8 month re-occurance with the interferon.
The Aim at Melanoma website points out that for the recently approved pegylated interferon alfa-2b (Sylatron), the European study showed fairly convincingly that pegylated interferon had fewer serious or life threatening side effects than we would expect from high dose standard interferon as commonly used in the United States. Again, that doesn't mean the pegylated interferon was not associated with side effects, just that there were many fewer severe or life threatening effects.
http://www.aimatmelanoma.org/en/aim-for-answers/physican-blog/1822.html
From the people I have known, the ones in their 20's have had the least side effects, with the older people seeming to have more side effects.
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- January 20, 2013 at 6:32 am
All the immunotherapies seem to have some mental side effects (confusion, depression, etc). Sometimes they seem to completely clear up, often not all the way. Interferon seems to have the reputation for having the most mental side effects for the lowest value likely to be received.
The Study:
points out that the 9.3 months delay was from a study where the patients had a 25.5 month time to re-occurance if without it and a 34.8 month re-occurance with the interferon.
The Aim at Melanoma website points out that for the recently approved pegylated interferon alfa-2b (Sylatron), the European study showed fairly convincingly that pegylated interferon had fewer serious or life threatening side effects than we would expect from high dose standard interferon as commonly used in the United States. Again, that doesn't mean the pegylated interferon was not associated with side effects, just that there were many fewer severe or life threatening effects.
http://www.aimatmelanoma.org/en/aim-for-answers/physican-blog/1822.html
From the people I have known, the ones in their 20's have had the least side effects, with the older people seeming to have more side effects.
-
- January 20, 2013 at 6:32 am
All the immunotherapies seem to have some mental side effects (confusion, depression, etc). Sometimes they seem to completely clear up, often not all the way. Interferon seems to have the reputation for having the most mental side effects for the lowest value likely to be received.
The Study:
points out that the 9.3 months delay was from a study where the patients had a 25.5 month time to re-occurance if without it and a 34.8 month re-occurance with the interferon.
The Aim at Melanoma website points out that for the recently approved pegylated interferon alfa-2b (Sylatron), the European study showed fairly convincingly that pegylated interferon had fewer serious or life threatening side effects than we would expect from high dose standard interferon as commonly used in the United States. Again, that doesn't mean the pegylated interferon was not associated with side effects, just that there were many fewer severe or life threatening effects.
http://www.aimatmelanoma.org/en/aim-for-answers/physican-blog/1822.html
From the people I have known, the ones in their 20's have had the least side effects, with the older people seeming to have more side effects.
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- January 20, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Hi Deb,
I too was stage 2c. I did 2-1/2 weeks of high dose interferon until I had to stop due to white blood count was too high. The peg from what I understand is less side effects. Ask your doctors about clinical trials. He may be able to get into an ipi (yervoy) trial which has less side effects. Your brothers wasn’t as deep as mine but 2c is worse then 3a or b because of the depth and ulceration. I’m sorry I don’t want to scare you but if he does nothing it could come back and you would have wished you did. The decision is a personal one that all factors in your life shouldbe considerd, I’m just giving you my personal take. In hindsight I wish I would have looked more into trials. Trials is where the breakthroughs are happening now. A lot of them are targeting progression at earlier stages. I think they’re using the braf inhibitor in some trials. Ask your doctor to have his tumor tested for braf. You’ve got some tough decisions and Im sorry your family and brother have to go through this. Ask ask ask questions, research, ask more questions and educate yourself is the best advice. You have to know what your dealing with. I asked a lot of questions on this site, now my doctors are amazed I know so much.
All my best to you and your brother,
Denise -
- January 20, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Hi Deb,
I too was stage 2c. I did 2-1/2 weeks of high dose interferon until I had to stop due to white blood count was too high. The peg from what I understand is less side effects. Ask your doctors about clinical trials. He may be able to get into an ipi (yervoy) trial which has less side effects. Your brothers wasn’t as deep as mine but 2c is worse then 3a or b because of the depth and ulceration. I’m sorry I don’t want to scare you but if he does nothing it could come back and you would have wished you did. The decision is a personal one that all factors in your life shouldbe considerd, I’m just giving you my personal take. In hindsight I wish I would have looked more into trials. Trials is where the breakthroughs are happening now. A lot of them are targeting progression at earlier stages. I think they’re using the braf inhibitor in some trials. Ask your doctor to have his tumor tested for braf. You’ve got some tough decisions and Im sorry your family and brother have to go through this. Ask ask ask questions, research, ask more questions and educate yourself is the best advice. You have to know what your dealing with. I asked a lot of questions on this site, now my doctors are amazed I know so much.
All my best to you and your brother,
Denise -
- January 20, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Hi Deb,
I too was stage 2c. I did 2-1/2 weeks of high dose interferon until I had to stop due to white blood count was too high. The peg from what I understand is less side effects. Ask your doctors about clinical trials. He may be able to get into an ipi (yervoy) trial which has less side effects. Your brothers wasn’t as deep as mine but 2c is worse then 3a or b because of the depth and ulceration. I’m sorry I don’t want to scare you but if he does nothing it could come back and you would have wished you did. The decision is a personal one that all factors in your life shouldbe considerd, I’m just giving you my personal take. In hindsight I wish I would have looked more into trials. Trials is where the breakthroughs are happening now. A lot of them are targeting progression at earlier stages. I think they’re using the braf inhibitor in some trials. Ask your doctor to have his tumor tested for braf. You’ve got some tough decisions and Im sorry your family and brother have to go through this. Ask ask ask questions, research, ask more questions and educate yourself is the best advice. You have to know what your dealing with. I asked a lot of questions on this site, now my doctors are amazed I know so much.
All my best to you and your brother,
Denise -
- January 20, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Sorry about your brother. I am stage 3a and chose NOT to do interferon. I have not heard such high statistics. The ones I was told were 3-10% with no improvement to survivability. Now that was 18 months ago, maybe there are new studies.But with those stats I said "No Thanks" and so far it's been a good decision. That's so far, unfortunately with Mel you never know. The 2 or 5 year mark doesn't seem to matter much. But I'm happy! I think you can find as many people that tried it and are still without Mel as those that have progressed on this board. It's a difficult decision and a very personal one.
Good Luck,
Mary
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- January 20, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Sorry about your brother. I am stage 3a and chose NOT to do interferon. I have not heard such high statistics. The ones I was told were 3-10% with no improvement to survivability. Now that was 18 months ago, maybe there are new studies.But with those stats I said "No Thanks" and so far it's been a good decision. That's so far, unfortunately with Mel you never know. The 2 or 5 year mark doesn't seem to matter much. But I'm happy! I think you can find as many people that tried it and are still without Mel as those that have progressed on this board. It's a difficult decision and a very personal one.
Good Luck,
Mary
-
- January 20, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Sorry about your brother. I am stage 3a and chose NOT to do interferon. I have not heard such high statistics. The ones I was told were 3-10% with no improvement to survivability. Now that was 18 months ago, maybe there are new studies.But with those stats I said "No Thanks" and so far it's been a good decision. That's so far, unfortunately with Mel you never know. The 2 or 5 year mark doesn't seem to matter much. But I'm happy! I think you can find as many people that tried it and are still without Mel as those that have progressed on this board. It's a difficult decision and a very personal one.
Good Luck,
Mary
-
- January 20, 2013 at 11:52 pm
Deb,
I am stage 2c and did interferon for a year both High and low dose. It was not pleasant, I had fatigue, nausea, depression and muscle ache. I would rate my side effects to moderate to severe. But even with all those side effects I managed to finish.
My tumor was on my lower right leg. I also had the surgery to remove the tumor and some of my lymph nodes to have them tested. Both came back free of melanoma
Interferon is a topic of debate in the melanoma community. Part of my decision to do it was based on a study that indicated that it was more effective when the tumor is ulcerated. In order to be stage 2c the tumor is ulcerated. Another reason for was I have a family I need to be there for and simply could not sit and wait for the the disease to take me. I needed to try something. Given the same circumstances I faced 18 months ago I would still make the same decision.
The advice here on this web site is sound. I would recomend a specialist in melanoma, and have heard that Mass general is excellant.
Currently I am NED, and hope to remain such.
Thanks,
MIkeWI, currently NED
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- January 20, 2013 at 11:52 pm
Deb,
I am stage 2c and did interferon for a year both High and low dose. It was not pleasant, I had fatigue, nausea, depression and muscle ache. I would rate my side effects to moderate to severe. But even with all those side effects I managed to finish.
My tumor was on my lower right leg. I also had the surgery to remove the tumor and some of my lymph nodes to have them tested. Both came back free of melanoma
Interferon is a topic of debate in the melanoma community. Part of my decision to do it was based on a study that indicated that it was more effective when the tumor is ulcerated. In order to be stage 2c the tumor is ulcerated. Another reason for was I have a family I need to be there for and simply could not sit and wait for the the disease to take me. I needed to try something. Given the same circumstances I faced 18 months ago I would still make the same decision.
The advice here on this web site is sound. I would recomend a specialist in melanoma, and have heard that Mass general is excellant.
Currently I am NED, and hope to remain such.
Thanks,
MIkeWI, currently NED
-
- January 20, 2013 at 11:52 pm
Deb,
I am stage 2c and did interferon for a year both High and low dose. It was not pleasant, I had fatigue, nausea, depression and muscle ache. I would rate my side effects to moderate to severe. But even with all those side effects I managed to finish.
My tumor was on my lower right leg. I also had the surgery to remove the tumor and some of my lymph nodes to have them tested. Both came back free of melanoma
Interferon is a topic of debate in the melanoma community. Part of my decision to do it was based on a study that indicated that it was more effective when the tumor is ulcerated. In order to be stage 2c the tumor is ulcerated. Another reason for was I have a family I need to be there for and simply could not sit and wait for the the disease to take me. I needed to try something. Given the same circumstances I faced 18 months ago I would still make the same decision.
The advice here on this web site is sound. I would recomend a specialist in melanoma, and have heard that Mass general is excellant.
Currently I am NED, and hope to remain such.
Thanks,
MIkeWI, currently NED
-
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