Melanoma in head and neck area?

fisrpotpe
fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

my friend has been treated for 20 years for her arthritis with a drug that has high risk for cancer.

in febuary 2015 she was told she has non hogeskins lymphoma, she did some chemo with great results. 

in late may 2015 they found melanoma on her forehead and removed with surgery

late june 2015 there was a large fast growing node under the left side of chin in neck. July 6th they did a neck dissection same as we head and neck survivors have and same as mine back in 1996, except the skin was infected with the melanoma so they did a skin graft when they used the pec muscle and rotated to fill in under the chin. 

she is soon to be scheduled to do radiation using two different machines... one for neck and mouth and one for forehead

this is not considered head and neck cancer but is being treated very similar too. 

i have followed head and neck cancer for 19 plus years and have not heard of melanoma in the head and neck area....

have any of you or know of anyone who have fought this even more ugly cancer?????

my local ent is her same ent and i asked her is this worse that the other head and neck cancers and she said yes. 

your help would me much appreciated. 

John 

Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #2
    Melanoma

    John,

    I had Base of Tongue cancer in 2004, surgery to remove the tumor on my tongue, radical neck disection followed by radiation. Treatments ended early 2005. Less than a year later, I had Melanoma on my left cheek. I had the Sentinel Node procedure done to see how far it may have gone. I had the 1st Lymphnode removed and it was clear, so I did not have any treatments.

    What I did have was the removal of enough tissue as to cause my Surgeon to reconstruct my left cheek area as he put it, because he wanted to make sure he had clear margins. He was the same Surgeon that did my BOT surgery and he is also a Plastic Surgeon. I am very fortunate to have been sent to him by my local ENT.

    My Best to You, Your Friend and Everyone Here

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #3
    John

    My cousin had melonoma mets to lung liver. Was told to get his affairs in order. Did Interluken II a trial at time. He was 55 with healthy lifestyle. He has been clean more than ten years. Melanoma to scalp serious. My brothers friend is a doctor and his wife has it. gets her tx at mayo in Rochester. I believe daily chemo that she gives herself. Scans for her have been clean more tan a year. Lives good life, travels allot. 

    There are options and always prayers,

     Candi 

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #4
    MarineE5 said:

    Melanoma

    John,

    I had Base of Tongue cancer in 2004, surgery to remove the tumor on my tongue, radical neck disection followed by radiation. Treatments ended early 2005. Less than a year later, I had Melanoma on my left cheek. I had the Sentinel Node procedure done to see how far it may have gone. I had the 1st Lymphnode removed and it was clear, so I did not have any treatments.

    What I did have was the removal of enough tissue as to cause my Surgeon to reconstruct my left cheek area as he put it, because he wanted to make sure he had clear margins. He was the same Surgeon that did my BOT surgery and he is also a Plastic Surgeon. I am very fortunate to have been sent to him by my local ENT.

    My Best to You, Your Friend and Everyone Here

    Thanks

    great to hear your doing so well MarineE5. thanks for repling. 

    Sadly it is taking along time to get the mapping done for radiation. Just as they thought they were close after first mask fit.... a week later swelling took over and now new mask and mapping needs to be done. 

    The found the Melanoma in one node taken in the neck of the 30 taken. 

    now durning the new mapping CT the found a new area near her ear that showed up hot. 

    Gotta get the radiation going. 

    Trying to find out from anyone if here treatment is headed in right direction. 

    Thanks for the support. 

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #5
    hwt said:

    John

    My cousin had melonoma mets to lung liver. Was told to get his affairs in order. Did Interluken II a trial at time. He was 55 with healthy lifestyle. He has been clean more than ten years. Melanoma to scalp serious. My brothers friend is a doctor and his wife has it. gets her tx at mayo in Rochester. I believe daily chemo that she gives herself. Scans for her have been clean more tan a year. Lives good life, travels allot. 

    There are options and always prayers,

     Candi 

    great news

    Candi, great news for your cousin. 

    More so great news to hear of another surivor. 

    Thanks 

    John 

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    john, i have no answers but i

    john, i have no answers but i am praying for your friend.  she has been through so much, more than any one person should have to face.  cancer is so damn cruel.

    God bless you and your friend,

    dj

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