› Forums › General Melanoma Community › hx of melanoma and new dx of intestinal fistula
- This topic has 3 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by
Janner.
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- May 7, 2012 at 5:14 pm
My husband was dx with mm in 2000. i really dont remember the specifics of his classification, except that it was serious. sentinal node mapping showed micro mets to level 1 lymphnodes in left arm. He was only given a small chance of survival at the time. WLE and a year of interferon took its toll on his body, but 11 years later he is still here.
My husband was dx with mm in 2000. i really dont remember the specifics of his classification, except that it was serious. sentinal node mapping showed micro mets to level 1 lymphnodes in left arm. He was only given a small chance of survival at the time. WLE and a year of interferon took its toll on his body, but 11 years later he is still here.
He was recently hospitalized for diverticulitis. They did not do surgery at the time, because it responded well to antibiotics. CT enterogrphy results show a possible fistla. (he gave me this info over the phone so i done know where in hus intestines.) He is scheduled for a colonoscopy, but not until early june. I read that recurrence frequently happens in the intestines. Should this make me push to have them move his colonoscpy sooner? Could there be any relation to the fact that his primary lesion was on his lower back, just about even with his liver?
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- May 7, 2012 at 6:34 pm
I'd say "don't borrow trouble". With a history of diverticulitis, it is more likely the fistula is related to that or unrelated to anything and not melanoma. Look for the most likely explanation first! The most common areas for melanoma to metastasize are not the intestines but the liver, lungs and brain. If the CT indicated some type of tumor, the CT would have noted that. Your husband is 11 years NED from stage III melanoma. His risk for recurrence at this time is low. I would think if his doctors thought it at all possible this was related to melanoma – or if this were an emergency condition, the colonoscopy would be done much sooner. I'd make certain his doctors (including the radiologist) know his melanoma history, but if they aren't concerned with it being melanoma, then I'd just go with their recommendation. Call and talk with the doctors until you and your husband are comfortable with the treatment decisions! In the end, the doctor's work for YOU!
Best wishes on this being NOTHING!
Janner
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- May 7, 2012 at 6:34 pm
I'd say "don't borrow trouble". With a history of diverticulitis, it is more likely the fistula is related to that or unrelated to anything and not melanoma. Look for the most likely explanation first! The most common areas for melanoma to metastasize are not the intestines but the liver, lungs and brain. If the CT indicated some type of tumor, the CT would have noted that. Your husband is 11 years NED from stage III melanoma. His risk for recurrence at this time is low. I would think if his doctors thought it at all possible this was related to melanoma – or if this were an emergency condition, the colonoscopy would be done much sooner. I'd make certain his doctors (including the radiologist) know his melanoma history, but if they aren't concerned with it being melanoma, then I'd just go with their recommendation. Call and talk with the doctors until you and your husband are comfortable with the treatment decisions! In the end, the doctor's work for YOU!
Best wishes on this being NOTHING!
Janner
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- May 7, 2012 at 6:34 pm
I'd say "don't borrow trouble". With a history of diverticulitis, it is more likely the fistula is related to that or unrelated to anything and not melanoma. Look for the most likely explanation first! The most common areas for melanoma to metastasize are not the intestines but the liver, lungs and brain. If the CT indicated some type of tumor, the CT would have noted that. Your husband is 11 years NED from stage III melanoma. His risk for recurrence at this time is low. I would think if his doctors thought it at all possible this was related to melanoma – or if this were an emergency condition, the colonoscopy would be done much sooner. I'd make certain his doctors (including the radiologist) know his melanoma history, but if they aren't concerned with it being melanoma, then I'd just go with their recommendation. Call and talk with the doctors until you and your husband are comfortable with the treatment decisions! In the end, the doctor's work for YOU!
Best wishes on this being NOTHING!
Janner
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