Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 9/8/2008

Question
In Feb. 2007 I had a mole removed from my chest. It came back Melanoma Cancer. I had suregry done and lymphnode under right arm removed but dr. said no need  for chemo or radiation or follow up tests. He got it all and it wont come back. 7 months later, the cancer spread to the right side of my throat. Had surgery and lymphnode on right side of throat removed along with tissue ... this time had interferion treatments and radiation. Now, on Aug. 27, 2008 i was just told that the cancer has spread to my brain. they saw 10 swollen tumors all around my brain. They put me right on radiation and gave me chemo. Now I am taking chemo pills every day among other meds every day including steroids and seizure pills and a bunch others. and doing radiation every day. They told me its in-operable because the cancer will come right back. So they want to keep it shrunken. They told me I wont make it 5 years. Can you please help me to understand what is going on, what is going to happen. I have no idea where to look up any advice or answers or what to do. All the meds I take, its messing me up. Balance, sight, bloating fast ... in 3 days went from size 8 pants to 12 pants and the 12's dont fit. I look 9 months pregnant and my feet and ankle and calfs so swollen they are numb ... I walk and tumble into the wall. Im confused, depressed. They said its the steroids. They told me Im in stage 4 melanoma with the brain. And I wont make it 5 years. Please help me try to understand what will happen??

Answer
I'm sorry to read about your problems! You have asked me a straight question so you deserve a straight answer. But I do not expect you to like it - or rather I know you will not! Your malignant melanoma has spread to a "distant" organ (to your brain). That automatically makes it a stage 4 tumor. Malignant melanomas are usually not very sensitive to radiation therapy and chemo therapy unfortunately. Also, if it has spread to somewhere it usually also has spread to elsewhere (including other sites in your brain) even if not detected or even detectable yet. If your lesions are not too big (each up to around or below one  - 1 - inch in size) they MAY be treatable with stereotactic concentrated radiation (for which they should be sensitive) either by "GammaKnife" or "CyberKnife" or proton beams depending on what is available. 10 lesions however is a rather large number for such treatment and more may appear. You should discuss this with your drs. As matters stand now however this kind of treatment can only slow things down. No cure is available at present unfortunately.