Immunotherapy

Hi , when you hear of cancer for the very first time you hear words like chemotherapy and radiotherapy but with melanoma instead of those types of treatments you hear of targeted therapy (Dabrafenib and Tramatenib for example) and immunotherapy (ipilumamab with Nivolumab, or Pembrolizumab) 

I’m assuming that they are offering your Dad immunotherapy as a way of preventing the cancer from coming back. I’m on Pembrolizumab which I started when my lymph nodes which were affected could not be removed by surgery. 

There a few links that may be helpful for you

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/treating/targeted-biological-therapies/immunotherapy-explained

https://melanomafocus.com/information-portal/immunotherapy-video/

I hope these help if there are any questions you want to ask people receiving immunotherapy just reply and ask.

Best wishes

Thank you this is very helpful. It is a scary time and the medical language can be frightening too 

Hi Fran83, yet it can, in fact when you said that you jogged my memory of this video taken at the melanoma patient conference, Dr Simon Grummett talking about adjuvant treatment to a room of melanoma patients.

https://youtu.be/iWADCmIAw2w

Hi

sorry you find yourself here . But be reassured you are in the right place for information , please stay away from google . Do many things have changed regarding treatments.

My hubby had stage 4 melanoma, with liver mets , after biopsy and lymph node removal he started immunotherapy. He only had 2 treatments (due to side effects) , which we were so worried about thinking the worse , but we are 18 mths down the line & the original 10cm tumour has reduced to nearly non existent .not been given all clear yet but ever hopeful .he had scan  yesterday so  Continuing good response . 

if you have any questions support is here or I have the specialist nurses are always happy to talk to you about concerns . Don’t bottle things up ,

take 1 step at a time & you will get through x 

sending big hug & best wishes for positive outcome x 

Hi DAAD,

Thanks for taking the time to write this.  I'm struggling to get my body to accept immuno right now, and at times things look a little rocky... Reading that just a few doses can make such a difference is really heartening and your story isn't the only one like this.

I'm also really pleased for you both -its a wonderful thing that your husband is doing so well.

J