Melanoma in Lung

LorettaB

Hello, Everyone,

I am a BC survivor and depended heavily on CSN. I have a friend who was diagnosed with Lung Cancer but after final pathology, it came back as Melanoma which means the Lung Cancer is a secondary site. Does anyone have information on treatment? His doctor told him chemo is out and they are immediately directing him to clinical studies. Why is chemo not an option? What about Interferon? Had anyone been treated with Immunotherapy or Avastin thereapy with Melanoma? Thanks for any help! Loretta

Carvs

Hi Loretta,

I have stage III melanoma (spread to lymph node alone). I think I can answer your questions in part. Melanoma is particularly resistant to traditional chemo. There are a number of chemo treatments in clinical trials for melanoma. Interferon is an adjuvant treatment (immunotherapy) primarily used for Stage III patients after all cancer is removed. That treatment isn't generally used alone for stage IV patients with active disease. Interleukines (IL2) is FDA approved for Stage IV patients and is given when there is measurable disease that can't be surgically removed. IL 2 is also an immunotherapy. There are a number of other options, many in clinical trial. Some of these are chemo, biochemo, gene therapy, melanoma vaccines (created from the patients melanoma cells). I am including a link to an overview of treatments for Stage IV melanoma. With melanoma, Stage IV is any spread beyond the first major draining lymph node basin. The NCI has a number of clinical trials for melanoma and would be a good place for your friend to call for information. Following is the link with an over view of stage IV melanoma treatments which you can copy into your browser: http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/CancerTreatment_Melanoma.aspx?DocumentId=827

Good luck, Carver

LorettaB

Carvs said:

Hi Loretta,

I have stage III melanoma (spread to lymph node alone). I think I can answer your questions in part. Melanoma is particularly resistant to traditional chemo. There are a number of chemo treatments in clinical trials for melanoma. Interferon is an adjuvant treatment (immunotherapy) primarily used for Stage III patients after all cancer is removed. That treatment isn't generally used alone for stage IV patients with active disease. Interleukines (IL2) is FDA approved for Stage IV patients and is given when there is measurable disease that can't be surgically removed. IL 2 is also an immunotherapy. There are a number of other options, many in clinical trial. Some of these are chemo, biochemo, gene therapy, melanoma vaccines (created from the patients melanoma cells). I am including a link to an overview of treatments for Stage IV melanoma. With melanoma, Stage IV is any spread beyond the first major draining lymph node basin. The NCI has a number of clinical trials for melanoma and would be a good place for your friend to call for information. Following is the link with an over view of stage IV melanoma treatments which you can copy into your browser: http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/CancerTreatment_Melanoma.aspx?DocumentId=827

Good luck, Carver

Carver, this was soooo helpful. Thank you so much. What was somewhat relieving was the information that metastasis to the lung has a better prognosis than that of liver or brain. I know my friend will be relieved to read this. Loretta

CharlieB

Contact Dr. Takami Sato at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. Word is, he's the man when it comes to melanoma. 215-955-8874

LorettaB

CharlieB said:

Contact Dr. Takami Sato at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. Word is, he's the man when it comes to melanoma. 215-955-8874

Thank you, Charlie...I sent this to my friend.