What should we do next?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › What should we do next?

  • Post
    • September 7, 2011 at 6:40 pm
    Jewel
    Participant

      Hi,

      9/2/11 my husband went back in for a re-excision of his original tumor ( 3 spots showed recurrance) all in same area. They did a full ELND due to the fact that lymph node was (is) swollen. If you go back and look at my last 2 posts you will see my husbands full history which started in Nov, 2010. We have not gotten the results back yet from ELND. I apologise for not having yet filled out his profile.

      Hi,

      9/2/11 my husband went back in for a re-excision of his original tumor ( 3 spots showed recurrance) all in same area. They did a full ELND due to the fact that lymph node was (is) swollen. If you go back and look at my last 2 posts you will see my husbands full history which started in Nov, 2010. We have not gotten the results back yet from ELND. I apologise for not having yet filled out his profile.

      Now that the melanoma has traveled from his lower left calf to his left groin does that still make him a stage 3? Pet Scan and 2 MRI's one of head and left leg only showed cancer in calf and possible in groin.

      It is amazing how well he is doing concidering the drains and the 3 X 8 inch graft they took off his thigh and put on his calf.

      We are still waiting for the results.  If the groin proves positive in your opinion ( and I'm open to all) what would you do?

      A very concerned wife who does ALL the research. My husband refuses to live in fear.

      Thank you,

      Jewel

    Viewing 1 reply thread
    • Replies
        • September 8, 2011 at 10:30 am
        FormerCaregiver
        Participant

          Sorry to read that your husband has had to have surgery at the site of his original
          tumour.

          Here is some detailed info about the stages of melanoma:
          http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/melanoma/treatment/stages-of-melanoma

          I feel that the most important prognostic indicator at the moment is the depth of the
          primary tumour. As the depth (from a previous post) was 3.6mm, this would mean that
          melanoma cells would tend to spread via the lymph channels. So, one will need to be
          especially vigilant for any new lesions or lumps that could be melanoma.

          If the groin proves positive, you should discuss the situation with your husband's
          oncologist and keep researching treatment options.

          Some promising therapies include surgery and GM-CSF (Leukine), IL-2, Yervoy, BRAF
          inhibitors and TIL treatment.

          Hope this helps.

          Frank from Australia

          • September 8, 2011 at 10:30 am
          FormerCaregiver
          Participant

            Sorry to read that your husband has had to have surgery at the site of his original
            tumour.

            Here is some detailed info about the stages of melanoma:
            http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/melanoma/treatment/stages-of-melanoma

            I feel that the most important prognostic indicator at the moment is the depth of the
            primary tumour. As the depth (from a previous post) was 3.6mm, this would mean that
            melanoma cells would tend to spread via the lymph channels. So, one will need to be
            especially vigilant for any new lesions or lumps that could be melanoma.

            If the groin proves positive, you should discuss the situation with your husband's
            oncologist and keep researching treatment options.

            Some promising therapies include surgery and GM-CSF (Leukine), IL-2, Yervoy, BRAF
            inhibitors and TIL treatment.

            Hope this helps.

            Frank from Australia

              • September 8, 2011 at 7:42 pm
              Jewel
              Participant

                Frank,

                Thank you so much for your reply, we are still waiting for the results. I have read alot of your posts in the past and you are always willing to share your wisdom. Your wife would be very proud of what you have continued to do.

                Jewel

                • September 8, 2011 at 7:42 pm
                Jewel
                Participant

                  Frank,

                  Thank you so much for your reply, we are still waiting for the results. I have read alot of your posts in the past and you are always willing to share your wisdom. Your wife would be very proud of what you have continued to do.

                  Jewel

                  • September 9, 2011 at 4:17 am
                  FormerCaregiver
                  Participant

                    Thanks Jewel, I really appreciate your kind words.

                    I have been involved in reading and writing about various health and medical conditions since the early 1990's.

                    It was in 2007 that my efforts were switched to learning everything that there is to know about melanoma.

                    Best wishes to you and your husband.

                    Frank from Australia

                    • September 9, 2011 at 4:17 am
                    FormerCaregiver
                    Participant

                      Thanks Jewel, I really appreciate your kind words.

                      I have been involved in reading and writing about various health and medical conditions since the early 1990's.

                      It was in 2007 that my efforts were switched to learning everything that there is to know about melanoma.

                      Best wishes to you and your husband.

                      Frank from Australia

                Viewing 1 reply thread
                • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                About the MRF Patient Forum

                The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                Popular Topics