Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/18/2009

Question
My husband Bill had surgery on shoulder in Dec. of 2006 from mole-was melanoma-set appoinments every 3 months with hospital to check. They said they got it all. Went in Jan 2009-they said all was fine .In Feb I rushed him to another hospital because of severe headaches & stroke like symtoms. Found large tumor on brain.  It was removed and still no chemo or radiation. he went through MRI's -2month inerval- found small  part in June of 2009-went for Gamma Knife. We are waiting the 6 weeks to go back for results-In the mean time we have app. to see the cancer doc. that ordered full body CT. scan-find 2 tiny leisons in lung .Wants him to start on Tremador.  My question- can we stop it-for how long and should I get 2nd opinions. I refuse to losehim. he 58 yrs young and a fighter!! I need help & direction. Thankyou Debbie-p.s. Yale Hospital In New haven Ct. is the place he is going

Answer
Unfortunately it is impossible to guarantee that everything has been removed surgically. Probabilities can be discussed but never a certainty. In his case he is now a stage 4 malignant melanoma case with an unfortunately bad prognosis. Malignant melanomas are usually not very sensitive to conventional radiation therapy (the GammaKnife is something else but that can only be used in certain situations) or to chemotherapy. Promising & interesting experiments in immunotherapy are going on but they are still very experimental. So unfortunately I have not much to offer. Chemotherapy and even radiation therapy can be tried but I can not promise any results. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!