Regular Skin Check-Targeted Therapy

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Regular Skin Check-Targeted Therapy

  • Post
    • January 15, 2019 at 10:53 pm
    Summer S.
    Participant

      Hello everyone, 

       

      My mom is new to Zelboraf, it is known for the possibility of causing new skin malignancies including new melanomas. 

      Where we live,  melanoma is extremely rare and dermatologists never experienced working with it. 

      Thus, I am wondering what are the regular skin checks you guys do are like? How are they conducted? Are you self-examined or examined by a dermatologist? How often? And do you find it effective? 

      ((Especially for those of you who are on Z, or similar targeted therapy)) 

       

      Thanks! 

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    • Replies
        • January 15, 2019 at 11:47 pm
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Targeted therapy is currently considered to be treatment for BRAF positive melanoma patients using a combo of a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor.  We have learned that the combo (rather than a BRAF inhibitor alone) INCREASES response and decreases the chance of tumor work-around and side effects…..including skin lesions.  While targeted therapy can cause skin lesions…they usually consist of skin redness, dry skin, rashes, photosensitivity (increased risk of sunburn with very little sun exposure) and squamous skin cancers.  It does not cause melanoma.

          Here is a bit of info from this site:  https://www.melanoma.org/understand-melanoma/melanoma-treatment/targeted-therapy

          I am not sure of an absolute follow-up schedule, but I would imagine between seeing the oncologist and a dermatologist, such that your mom gets skin checks every 3 months would be wise.  I would also make sure that she is taking a BRAF/MEK combo as well.

          Hope this helps. Wishing you and your mom my best.  Celeste

            • January 16, 2019 at 10:05 am
            Summer S.
            Participant

              Thnx Celeste :)) 

              • January 16, 2019 at 10:06 am
              Summer S.
              Participant

                Thnx Celeste :)) 

                • January 16, 2019 at 10:06 am
                Summer S.
                Participant

                  Thnx Celeste :)) 

                  • January 16, 2019 at 10:06 am
                  Summer S.
                  Participant

                    Thnx Celeste :)) 

                  • January 16, 2019 at 12:42 am
                  ed williams
                  Participant

                    Hi Summer, I think it would be important to watch the video link with your mom so she can understand the side effects from targeted therapy especially since she is not on an approved  combination!!! Is there a medical reason for not using the combination??? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4nBOF6xHzc4

                      • January 16, 2019 at 10:03 am
                      Summer S.
                      Participant

                        I fortunately, both drugs are not available and not registered in my country- so the price of special listener is extremely high, so we could only afford one drug and still applying for compassionate use programs hoping they can help us with the other. 

                        So, Z is all we have to work with at the moment. Especially after failing opdivo for 6 months. 

                        • January 16, 2019 at 10:03 am
                        Summer S.
                        Participant

                          I fortunately, both drugs are not available and not registered in my country- so the price of special listener is extremely high, so we could only afford one drug and still applying for compassionate use programs hoping they can help us with the other. 

                          So, Z is all we have to work with at the moment. Especially after failing opdivo for 6 months. 

                          • January 16, 2019 at 10:08 am
                          Summer S.
                          Participant

                            So I really hope we can get her the combo soon, 

                            wish us luck 🙂 

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