Adjuvant therapy

Hi , Welcome to the group. I’m on a drug called Pembrolizumab (which is like Nivolumab) at the moment until March I’m not a typical case but my history is in my profile If you are curious. 

When are you starting treatment and do you know what drug you will be on?

You are right that adjuvant treatment is relatively new, it only started last September but the drugs have been used previously for stage 4 patients. 

If you fancy putting any info in your profile just click your user name and select edit profile and you will be away. There’s more info in the help section near the top if you need it, or just ask if you get stuck, it’s not compulsory but helps when you are talking to others and helps you not repeat yourself sometimes.

 Hi

I was diagnosed with stage 2c melanoma this year. Although this wouldn’t normally qualify me for adjuvant treatment, I had a number of additional risk factors which meant my insurers were persuaded to allow me to have adjuvant immunotherapy.

It was quite a hard decision for me, because initially my oncologist suggested the risks of immunotherapy might not outweigh the benefits, but the surgeons were very keen to have it. 

So, my treatment plan was Pembrolizumab every 3 weeks for a year. Unfortunately, the very first cycle gave me a liver hepatitis reaction so although I managed 3 cycles of Pembrolizumab I’m now paused, and have been on steroids for several weeks to try to sort out my liver.

So now, having had to convince myself adjuvant treatment was the best way forward, I’ve now had to convince myself “watch and wait” is the best plan for me!

BUT BUT BUT there are a lot of studies showing that adjuvant treatment is having a dramatic impact KTatHome are you able to share that really helpful video on adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment from the Melanoma Patients Conference?

Also, no one really knows how much treatment is needed for adjuvant treatment to work. My understanding is that the timing is being driven by the pharma companies.  My hope is that 3 cycles of Pembrolizumab will have done something!

 I don’t know what adjuvant therapy is planned for you, but lots of people tolerate Pembrolizumab really well.  Every time I go for my blood tests for my liver levels, the nurse looks at me very sadly and says “but everyone else is fine..” (SO not helpful!)

Sorry, I have rambled a bit. To try to summarise my understanding: evidence suggests adjuvant therapy has a beneficial impact. There is a risk of side effects, but you will be monitored very closely and most side effects can be managed. Given my choices again I would still go for the adjuvant treatment.  I’m a bit concerned I’ve had to stop it, but my lovely oncologist said “if it does come back, I want you fit to fight it”

Best of luck with your treatment x

Here you go SarahT57, the video you thought would be good for .

This is Dr Simon Grummett from Wolverhampton Hospital discussing Adjuvant v Neoadjuvant treatment at the 2019 Melanoma Patient Conference.

https://youtu.be/iWADCmIAw2w

Thank you for the reply’s I’m going to be having  Nivolumab . They have told me about the side affects which are pretty scary but the drug sound very beneficial. They have said the drug is quite new for this type of cancer but has been used on other types. Guess I’m just a bit nervous which is understandable. 

Good luck Tanny will you have nivo every 4weeks for a year ?

No I’m having it every 2 weeks for a year  just waiting for the appointment for first lot . When I’m in a routine with it i imagine it will be Easier to deal with it’s the unknown that’s scary