messine

Hi,

My husband was dx in October 2011 with spindle cell melanoma with neural involvement.

He has had numerous surgeries with skin grafts. All were on the head. Prior to the last scheduled surgery (Sept 2012) he had a whole body Pet/CT scan which showed mets to the lungs. The surgery was canceled. He went on Yervoy for 4 treatments (std) from Oct. 2012 to Dec. 2012. Last Ct showed progression of the disease. He signed on for a clinical trial at UCLA but had to cancel because of another medical problem. We have another appt at UCLA to see if he is still eligible for the clinical trial. The drug is referred to as MK3475 and it is in phase II. The oncologist refers to it as "super Yervoy" and he is very enthusiastic about the results he is getting.

The first melanoma was a reddish infected looking "boil" and it was deep. Bad!!!

A couple of the melanomas presented themselves as "pink warts" very innocent looking but vicious.

The lymphnodes were always negative and the surgeon always got clear margins during surgery. The cancer cells are using the nerve pathways to move around thus the clear margins.  My husband has a couple of enlarged lymphnodes on the left side just below the ear, and enlarged lymphnodes in the neck on the right side. The Yervoy did reduce the size of the lymphnodes.

I will not go into all teh Mohs procedures my husband has had during 2011 and 2012.

Every person is different. As patients and spouses we need to be our own advocates. It you are not confident that your doctor is doing his outmost for the well being of the patient then by all means find another doctor.

I am the one asking most of the questions at the drs appts, I make all the appts etc. I know where you are coming from, it is a full time job. Good luck and keep writing on this post.

Hi,

My husband was dx in October 2011 with spindle cell melanoma with neural involvement.

He has had numerous surgeries with skin grafts. All were on the head. Prior to the last scheduled surgery (Sept 2012) he had a whole body Pet/CT scan which showed mets to the lungs. The surgery was canceled. He went on Yervoy for 4 treatments (std) from Oct. 2012 to Dec. 2012. Last Ct showed progression of the disease. He signed on for a clinical trial at UCLA but had to cancel because of another medical problem. We have another appt at UCLA to see if he is still eligible for the clinical trial. The drug is referred to as MK3475 and it is in phase II. The oncologist refers to it as "super Yervoy" and he is very enthusiastic about the results he is getting.

The first melanoma was a reddish infected looking "boil" and it was deep. Bad!!!

A couple of the melanomas presented themselves as "pink warts" very innocent looking but vicious.

The lymphnodes were always negative and the surgeon always got clear margins during surgery. The cancer cells are using the nerve pathways to move around thus the clear margins.  My husband has a couple of enlarged lymphnodes on the left side just below the ear, and enlarged lymphnodes in the neck on the right side. The Yervoy did reduce the size of the lymphnodes.

I will not go into all teh Mohs procedures my husband has had during 2011 and 2012.

Every person is different. As patients and spouses we need to be our own advocates. It you are not confident that your doctor is doing his outmost for the well being of the patient then by all means find another doctor.

I am the one asking most of the questions at the drs appts, I make all the appts etc. I know where you are coming from, it is a full time job. Good luck and keep writing on this post.

Hi,

My husband was dx in October 2011 with spindle cell melanoma with neural involvement.

He has had numerous surgeries with skin grafts. All were on the head. Prior to the last scheduled surgery (Sept 2012) he had a whole body Pet/CT scan which showed mets to the lungs. The surgery was canceled. He went on Yervoy for 4 treatments (std) from Oct. 2012 to Dec. 2012. Last Ct showed progression of the disease. He signed on for a clinical trial at UCLA but had to cancel because of another medical problem. We have another appt at UCLA to see if he is still eligible for the clinical trial. The drug is referred to as MK3475 and it is in phase II. The oncologist refers to it as "super Yervoy" and he is very enthusiastic about the results he is getting.

The first melanoma was a reddish infected looking "boil" and it was deep. Bad!!!

A couple of the melanomas presented themselves as "pink warts" very innocent looking but vicious.

The lymphnodes were always negative and the surgeon always got clear margins during surgery. The cancer cells are using the nerve pathways to move around thus the clear margins.  My husband has a couple of enlarged lymphnodes on the left side just below the ear, and enlarged lymphnodes in the neck on the right side. The Yervoy did reduce the size of the lymphnodes.

I will not go into all teh Mohs procedures my husband has had during 2011 and 2012.

Every person is different. As patients and spouses we need to be our own advocates. It you are not confident that your doctor is doing his outmost for the well being of the patient then by all means find another doctor.

I am the one asking most of the questions at the drs appts, I make all the appts etc. I know where you are coming from, it is a full time job. Good luck and keep writing on this post.