Melanoma questions

[ziggyziggy]

I was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, and had excisional surgery performed to remove the offending growth. I developed an infection from the surgery. While undergoing treatment for the infection, I was informed by my doctor that the biopsy done on the removed mole was positive for melanoma. A subsequent cancer screen found that it has sperad, albeit minimally, to my lungs.

I was referred to an oncology specialist last week, and as of this week, have started immunotherapy. This includes cytokine therapy, and monoclonal antibody therapy. This specialist has told me that I can expect a lot of the same side effects as in chemotherapy, but at a much reduced level. He also has not ruled out adding chemotherapy in conjuction with the current course of treatment, if it is not effective.

My question is this. Has anyone else here ever undergone immunotherapy? If so, how bad were the side effects for you, and what can I expect? Much thanks in asvance to anyone with some input.

Zig

 

[Extra_Strong]

Damn bro i hate to hear that.
here is link to a cancer forum maybe some help..

U can probably find more info there..

http://www.cancerforums.net/search.php?mode=results

 

[NFG123]

Malignant Melanoma is a beast. I am sorry to hear that you have metastatic disease. Here are some links to help you. I hate to be the bearer of news, but the prognosis for metastatic disease is not good. The median survival in a patient population of 1521 with metastatic melanoma was 7.5 months, with a 57% 1 year survival for with lung mets.

Here is a good article for you, from JAAD.

Go to pubmed (or GOOGLE "pubmed" and go there) and type in this number:

9591818

If you can't get the article in pdf or what not, PM me.

 

[naughtynurse]

Damn, one rule of thumb (I believe) when you have something like that, NEVER listen to statistics. It might sounds weird, but for the people who survived, their chances were 100%. For the people who didn't, thier chances were 0. Attitude has a huge impact on prognosis. I've seen people, in hospitals and family who were told there's no hope and people prove doctors wrong all the time. Focus on the positive. There are people who have survived. Keep yourself healthy as you can and surround yourself with positive things, which doesn't include internet cancer statistics!

Malignant Melanoma is a beast. I am sorry to hear that you have metastatic disease. Here are some links to help you. I hate to be the bearer of news, but the prognosis for metastatic disease is not good. The median survival in a patient population of 1521 with metastatic melanoma was 7.5 months, with a 57% 1 year survival for with lung mets.

Here is a good article for you, from JAAD.

Go to pubmed (or GOOGLE "pubmed" and go there) and type in this number:

9591818

If you can't get the article in pdf or what not, PM me.