Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/12/2009

Question
I have stage 4 melanoma in the brain and lungs. I had my first surgery to
remove the big tumor they found in May of 2008. After that I had 2 more
were found and I had gamma knife. Another 2 were found after that and
again I had gamma knife. I was also taking temador/chemo since I was
diagnosed. Then in the winter I had bleeding on the brain and had another
surgery to stop that. Every appt. with the oncologist till now was that things
were staying the same and even some (tumors?) were shrinking and to stay
the course of treatment. After my last MRI a couple of weeks ago my visit
with my Oncologist said there are many new points now in my brain, a lot,
he said he couldn't count them all. I was in the middle of taking temador
and was told to stop since they weren't helping. I have 2 nodes in my lungs
and 1 grew (a little) larger. The doctor said I have to get the brain under
control before we even think about the lungs and he made me an appt. with
the radiologist to get full brain radiation. I guess I should have had more
questions for my doctor and now it's Friday and no one is around. Every
thing I read today is that I should be on more than 1 treatment, but maybe
its just too late. I haven't found too much hope in what I've read about
radiation treatment and melanoma. Is gamma knife an option I should ask
about? Is there anything else I should ask about? Thank you in advance.

Answer
Unfortunately in this situation the GammaKnife is hardly an option due to the number of new lesions. Well, conventional radiation therapy to your brain remains but malignant melanomas are not often very sensitive to such treatment so I can unfortunately not promise a good result. Please do keep me posted!