New to this site...question about treatment options for malignant melanoma

renee_florida · 03-19-2004, 11:19 AM

Hi...I am new to this board...very glad I found it! I was wondering if anyone has had therapy which included Temazolamide and or Thalidomide? If you have, could you let me know how it was, any side effects, etc? My father, 81yrs, was diagnosed with Satge IV melanoma, upper left arm, in Febuary, 2003. It was fully resected, margins were clean, sentinal node biopsy done and no positive nodes at all!! We were extremely happy to say the least!!! His Oncologist suggested a yearly CT Scan and no other treatment needed at that time. A week ago, my father, told me about a large mass he had on upper chest area. Immediately we went to the surgeon, whom by the looks and characteristics of this mass said it looks like melanoma again, will know for sure after surgery nect week. That day we had a CT of abdomen, pelvis, and thorax. Chest is good!!! But liver showed possible mets to the liver. So this leads me here and my question about the therapy which includes Temazolamide and or Thalidomide, which I have been told is being used to treat this. Sorry this post is a bit long....am a bit freaked and scared to death by this...guess needed to vent a bit!!! So if anyone has gone through this and or any other treatment for malignant melanoma please respond!! I'd be very greatfull!!

Saraly · 03-20-2004, 09:28 AM

I'm very sorry about this and know how scared and upset you are. I have been down the same road as you with my Dad and will keep you both in my prayers.

renee_florida · 03-21-2004, 01:58 AM

my dad goes for surgery this coming friday for excision of the mass. it has been really hard...worst part is my parents went on a trip to celebrate his 81st b-day and they have no clue about the possible liver mets...i am good friends with the surgeon and he felt no way would taking the trip make anything worse with my dads condition...all doctors involved said go on trip and enjoy...i felt the same way...you mentioned your dad...does he have malignant melanoma too??...did he undergo any type of treatment?? thanks for writing!!

ktee_uk · 03-21-2004, 07:48 AM

Hi Renee..... hope your father's op goes well.

Do you know how they came to diagnose him at stage IV first time round? The docs must have noticed something had spread already. I am soon visiting my friend who is at same stage as your father and will try and find out about the therapies he has been on. He has mets to liver and brain now.

Good luck for Friday
Ktee

Saraly · 03-21-2004, 08:44 AM

Renee, I'm glad your parents enjoyed the trip without the additional worry and I'm sure the surgeon is right.
Yes, my Dad had a MM removed from his upper back in 1996. It was very deep and the excision was extensive. He didn't go for any further treatment after his surgery mostly because he was very stubborn and "didn't believe in doctors". He lived for two years after surgery, had a good quality of life until the final couple of months when he became very tired and lost weight. He passed away at home, on home hospice, in 1998. We did a lot of arguing about being treated but he was in complete possession of all his faculties and refused.