Hi,
I have stage 4 melanoma and I am currently on targeted therapy.
I only managed 3 rounds of combined immunotherapy due to the treatment giving me hepatitis of the liver.
After months of steroid treatment my liver recovered and my team decided I could not resume immunotherapy for the maintenance dose for 2 years as originally planned.
They monitored me as my tumours had shrunk in my liver and lymph nodes.
When I got a new growth in my stomach, a cancerous gland had attached itself to my bowel, they started me on my current targeted therapy drugs.
Yesterday I was told the gland in my stomach is growing and not responding to treatment.
It’s tricky to operate or have radiotherapy because of the location and they have said it could cause damage to my bowel so for now they want to monitor me and see how things go.
They also told me that the targeted therapy drugs I’m on stop working for some people after around 16 months although they think I will get longer on them. I’ve been on them 10 months already. They have told me once the drugs stop working my only option then would be a trial and they won’t consider reconsider trying the maintenance dose of immunotherapy that I never got to have.
I’m under a leading hospital in the North West and have been very happy with them but yesterday I left feeling deflated and scared for the future. I currently feel so well and just want to try anything that will help me.
Has anyone got a second opinion anywhere? I’ve heard good things about the Royal Marsden.
Thank you
