Connect
← Return to Stage 4 Malignant Melanoma internal
Discussion
Stage 4 Malignant Melanoma internal
Cancer | Last Active: Aug 1, 2023 | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
Hi I was diagnosed stage 4 metastatic melanoma on my liver September 2015. No primary cancer point. The tumor was 15cm X 8 cm.... Inoperable. Fortunately the immunotherapy is working . I asked my oncologist is I would ever get to the NED status and she was I don't think so. I'm stable , no spreading , and the tumor has shrunk a great deal.
Is there anyone that is in a similar situation?
Replies to "Hi I was diagnosed stage 4 metastatic melanoma on my liver September 2015. No primary cancer..."
Thank you. I am treated at Smilow Cancer Hospital which is part of theYale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven CT.
I did the 4 doses of the combo ( Yervoy & Opivido) I developed some sarcoids in my lungs and on my elbow, wrist, and knuckles. I had to stop opvido for 10 weeks and was treated with steroids by the pulmonologist.
Lungs are clear!
I have been on opvido since April 22,2016 every 2 weeks until Beginning of February and the protocol is now every 3 weeks.
I have fatigue and achy joints . I can live with that.
They do not know the primary area but do know the melanoma traveled thru my blood.
I had my last scans in January and there was no shrinkage from my previous scan 3 months prior. I have the MRI on my brain and a CT scan on chest, abdominal and pelvic areas.
So , I'm living with this and hope and pray that it will shrink and not spread!
Good news Meg4434 is that you are stable. Sounds like the combo of Yervoy/Opdivo did its work and reduced the tumor. It is my understanding that sometimes those drugs take time to work, so patience is impt. I pray your tumor continues to reduce.
I had been treated with Yervoy first, followed by Opdivo for my leg melanomas. I was lucky, after 2 infusions with Opdivo, all the melanomas disappeared - a true miracle. I could only withstand 6 infusions as my body went into total inflammation and Dr decided to stop the treatment. I still have some side effects (arthritis, joint pain, eye irritation, low sodium/hemoglobin counts) but all manageable. Prednisone has been my friend of late! But I am cancer free almost 2 yrs now, and very grateful.
Wish I could be of more help, but my experience has been limited, as the melanomas have not travelled beyond my leg, as of yet. I stay positive, but I do understand the melanomas are never curable, we just have to stay one step ahead.
Connect
Hi Meg, welcome to Connect.
You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about metastatic melanoma. Reading back through the earlier posts, it appears that Pam (@0716) has a similar experience of being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma found on her liver and small bowel.
In this group you'll also meet @twinskl @lynnkay1956 and @texas7777.
Meg, great to hear that the immunotherapy is working and there's no spread visible. We look forward to getting to know more about you.