treatment for Local reoccurrances??

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  • Post
    • July 17, 2012 at 10:16 pm
    Nell
    Participant

      I had a primary melanoma removed from my chest 22 years ago…This January a lymph node appeared in the right axilla. It was removed along with 9 other benign lymph nodes…Since June ..in the last 7 weeks, I have had 3 separate melanoma nodules appear in the right axilla..the 3rd one to be removed tomorrow.  I have a specialist who says radiation is not effective, yet I have read articles saying something different…My scans show that at present the melanoma appears to be confined to the right axilla….What about radiation??  Anybody have a similar experience??

      I had a primary melanoma removed from my chest 22 years ago…This January a lymph node appeared in the right axilla. It was removed along with 9 other benign lymph nodes…Since June ..in the last 7 weeks, I have had 3 separate melanoma nodules appear in the right axilla..the 3rd one to be removed tomorrow.  I have a specialist who says radiation is not effective, yet I have read articles saying something different…My scans show that at present the melanoma appears to be confined to the right axilla….What about radiation??  Anybody have a similar experience??

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    • Replies
        • July 18, 2012 at 2:59 am
        LynnLuc
        Participant

          Mine was in my left paratrachial lymph node…radiation shrunk it by a third but it later began to grow again. I had surgery to remove it. A lot of it was necrotic, but there was a lot of living melanoma too…I still think surgery is the best treatment to do and then immunotherapy…

          • July 18, 2012 at 2:59 am
          LynnLuc
          Participant

            Mine was in my left paratrachial lymph node…radiation shrunk it by a third but it later began to grow again. I had surgery to remove it. A lot of it was necrotic, but there was a lot of living melanoma too…I still think surgery is the best treatment to do and then immunotherapy…

            • July 18, 2012 at 2:59 am
            LynnLuc
            Participant

              Mine was in my left paratrachial lymph node…radiation shrunk it by a third but it later began to grow again. I had surgery to remove it. A lot of it was necrotic, but there was a lot of living melanoma too…I still think surgery is the best treatment to do and then immunotherapy…

              • July 18, 2012 at 3:44 am
              gabsound
              Participant
                I agree with idea of surgically clearing that lymph node basin. Followed by radiation and then systemic treatment like yervoy. I had recurrence twice, in transit lesion in thigh at lower end of lymph node scar. Had surgery then radiation while undergoing Yervoy. Cleared up the disease in the leg which appears stable. Unfortunately had disease show up in bone, lung and liver. Still fighting that with Yervoy.

                I say hit it w everything you can!

                Julie in Las Vegas

                • July 18, 2012 at 3:44 am
                gabsound
                Participant
                  I agree with idea of surgically clearing that lymph node basin. Followed by radiation and then systemic treatment like yervoy. I had recurrence twice, in transit lesion in thigh at lower end of lymph node scar. Had surgery then radiation while undergoing Yervoy. Cleared up the disease in the leg which appears stable. Unfortunately had disease show up in bone, lung and liver. Still fighting that with Yervoy.

                  I say hit it w everything you can!

                  Julie in Las Vegas

                  • July 18, 2012 at 3:44 am
                  gabsound
                  Participant
                    I agree with idea of surgically clearing that lymph node basin. Followed by radiation and then systemic treatment like yervoy. I had recurrence twice, in transit lesion in thigh at lower end of lymph node scar. Had surgery then radiation while undergoing Yervoy. Cleared up the disease in the leg which appears stable. Unfortunately had disease show up in bone, lung and liver. Still fighting that with Yervoy.

                    I say hit it w everything you can!

                    Julie in Las Vegas

                    • July 18, 2012 at 4:18 am
                    Nell
                    Participant

                      Thank you for your replies..I am new to this website and I am grateful to have found it.  I wish you the very best.  There is strength in numbers!

                      • July 18, 2012 at 4:18 am
                      Nell
                      Participant

                        Thank you for your replies..I am new to this website and I am grateful to have found it.  I wish you the very best.  There is strength in numbers!

                          • July 18, 2012 at 4:30 am
                          lhaley
                          Participant

                            Welcome to the board.  The area of recurrence along the ulnar nerve was radiated after surgery (1 node was positive). I was already stage 4 at the time but it was to hopefully prevent more malignant nodes along the nerve.  It's now been almost a year and that area is still clear.  The tumor board left the decision to me because of the chance of lymphdemia  but they also told me about studies in Austrialia  had shown when only 1 or 2 nodes are involved radiation had a could chance to help (I can't remember the statistics).   Is your Dr giving other options?   I did end up with brain mets but it was so quick after the radiation that my thoughts that the cells had already passed into the brain.

                            Linda

                            Stage IV 6 years

                            • July 18, 2012 at 4:30 am
                            lhaley
                            Participant

                              Welcome to the board.  The area of recurrence along the ulnar nerve was radiated after surgery (1 node was positive). I was already stage 4 at the time but it was to hopefully prevent more malignant nodes along the nerve.  It's now been almost a year and that area is still clear.  The tumor board left the decision to me because of the chance of lymphdemia  but they also told me about studies in Austrialia  had shown when only 1 or 2 nodes are involved radiation had a could chance to help (I can't remember the statistics).   Is your Dr giving other options?   I did end up with brain mets but it was so quick after the radiation that my thoughts that the cells had already passed into the brain.

                              Linda

                              Stage IV 6 years

                              • July 18, 2012 at 4:30 am
                              lhaley
                              Participant

                                Welcome to the board.  The area of recurrence along the ulnar nerve was radiated after surgery (1 node was positive). I was already stage 4 at the time but it was to hopefully prevent more malignant nodes along the nerve.  It's now been almost a year and that area is still clear.  The tumor board left the decision to me because of the chance of lymphdemia  but they also told me about studies in Austrialia  had shown when only 1 or 2 nodes are involved radiation had a could chance to help (I can't remember the statistics).   Is your Dr giving other options?   I did end up with brain mets but it was so quick after the radiation that my thoughts that the cells had already passed into the brain.

                                Linda

                                Stage IV 6 years

                              • July 18, 2012 at 4:18 am
                              Nell
                              Participant

                                Thank you for your replies..I am new to this website and I am grateful to have found it.  I wish you the very best.  There is strength in numbers!

                                • July 19, 2012 at 3:20 pm
                                Ali
                                Participant

                                  If there is any systemic therapy you can do, I would seriously consider looking into that as well.  The problem is, depending on where you are you are and what insurance you have, it might not be easy to get.  If you you are a stage IIIc there isn't a lot approved for that stage, although there may be some trials.  Good luck on your decision! 

                                  • July 19, 2012 at 3:20 pm
                                  Ali
                                  Participant

                                    If there is any systemic therapy you can do, I would seriously consider looking into that as well.  The problem is, depending on where you are you are and what insurance you have, it might not be easy to get.  If you you are a stage IIIc there isn't a lot approved for that stage, although there may be some trials.  Good luck on your decision! 

                                    • July 19, 2012 at 3:20 pm
                                    Ali
                                    Participant

                                      If there is any systemic therapy you can do, I would seriously consider looking into that as well.  The problem is, depending on where you are you are and what insurance you have, it might not be easy to get.  If you you are a stage IIIc there isn't a lot approved for that stage, although there may be some trials.  Good luck on your decision! 

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