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Melanoma: What are your tips about immunotherapy (Keytruda)?

Melanoma & Skin Cancer | Last Active: Jun 22 7:43pm | Replies (47)
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@tja

Thank you for your reply - I’m actually stage 4 with neck lymph nodes as primary and spleen. I started Opdualag recently. Dr says every 28 days and 3 treatments and then we’ll look at surgery options. I am concerned that it will spread in 3 months and if immune doesn’t work I’ve lost 3 months. Anyway that’s were I’m at

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Susan, volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | Jun 21 9:34am

@tja I'm also Stage 4 and have been treating with immunotherapy since November after discussing all options with oncology. I understand both your treatment plan and your concerns.

It sounds like your doctor has advised adjuvant therapy: first providing immunotherapy, followed by consideration of surgery - the goal being elimination of any remaining cancer cells to reduce the risk of recurrence. This is not uncommon but it can sound scary. We tend to look to the future and all the "what if's" although it's helpful to remain as grounded in the present with the "right now's" and focus on the options presented. Sometimes, if this is a struggle, discussing grounding methods can be helpful if thoughts become more intrusive. Do you think it may be worth exploring any of those?

You also mentioned undergoing a PET scan - has that been completed, and if so, have you gotten the results?

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