Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 10/26/2010

Question
QUESTION: My husband had melanoma on is toe in 2005.  We didn't know what it was.  Also discovered it had spread to lymph nodes in pelvis area.  Had toe removed and lots of lymph nodes removed.  Thought we got it all.  Did lots of biotherapy and chemo.  It has spread to lungs and is in lymph nodes in pelvis area again.  We have been fighting for 5 years.  Cancer in lungs very slow growing.  Several month ago he had three lesions on brain.  We had cyber knife done and then he developed a brain bleed.  Got that taken care of and then he got 9 more lesions.  We did whole brain radiation and 2 of the original three have gone away.  So now we are going to do cyber knife on more of them.  My question is:  Are we just buying time or could the cyber knife get rid of the brain cancer.  We were told there is nothing further we can do with the lung and lymph nodes, we have tried everything and unless brain is stabilized we do not qualify for clinical trials.  Jeri

ANSWER: You have asked me a straight question and that deserves a straight answer! Unfortunately I believe that you probably are just buying time. That too is the reason why he is not admitted to those clinical trials with these brain metastasies. My opinion is based on experience of how malignant melanomas that have spread to the brain behave. Your own experiences on that subject seem to follow that same pattern so far unfortunately.



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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How long do you think we might have?  I know you would only be judging from what melanoma normally does when it gets to the brain, but I would like to make plans on doing some things with my husband that he can do now before he gets any worse.  Thank you very much for telling me what I might can expect in the future.

Answer
Remaining lifespan can at most be measured in some months. But it may be shorter and it is probable that his mobility will be restricted even earlier. That is all I can tell you.


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