melanoma and interlukin

momwithcancer · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6

Hi...my mom was diagnosed with malignant melanoma one year ago. The cancer has spread to her lymph nodes in her armpit ..they were removed. Since then the cancer has spread to the liver and lungs. Mom wasn't able to continue with interferon and has been going through chemotherapy. At the end of the month she will be starting Interlukin 2..seems to be a new drug and I haven't been able to find a lot of information on it...and its success rates. The doctors seem to feel like it is enevitable that the tumors will spread to her brain..the chemo hasn't changed the sizes of the tumors at all. I am just wondering what to expect with this new drug and what the prognosis really is. I also would like to know what the side effects of interlukin are and what i can do to best support her.

One more question...we were told that if the cancer spreads to her brain then they can do radiation. Why is it that the brain can have radiation but her lungs and liver cannot? Doesn't seem to make sense to me at all.

Any information would be greatly appreciated...thank-you.

momwithcancer · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6

Is there anyone that can answer my questions? Leo..please respond...as mom will be starting treatments in a couple days..its all a little freaky and some information would ease some anxiety. Thanks in advance.

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Hi,

I'm so sorry about your mom.

I can't answer your questions. I just wanted to tell you that Dr. Leo is not here every day as this is not his "day job." I'm sure he'll be here soon to answer your questions, though. Hang in there....

Good luck

Margie

momwithcancer · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks margie I appreciate your response...I'm sure Leo is very very busy and I understand that...I'm just scared thats all.

Tonia · New User Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 1

Hi,
Go to this website, they will help you right away!
GodBless,
Tonia

http://www.mpip.org/bb/index.html

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Sorry I am late, but I've been busy.

Thanks for posting. Interleukin 2 is not very new, but it has been used for melanoma. There are many side-effects, and you can find more information about the drug here
http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Treatments/Biologicaltherapies/Interleukin-2

About the radiation, some areas are just too sensitive to radiate. The dose that needs to be given is high enough to cause permanent damage. The brain cells do not divide often, so the radiation does not really affect them much, as opposed to the liver, GI tract, etc.

Hope this helps. Best of luck.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

momwithcancer · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6

Thank you all very much for the responses and helpful links.

momwithcancer · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6

I know that interlukin 2 is not a new treatment but it has recently been approved to treat malignant melanoma...just wondering about success rates. Mom has undergone one week of treatment and is on a ten day rest then will go back for another week. I am wondering how long it will be before we know that it is working. Do the tumors have to be gone completely for her to be considered a responder...how many rounds does a patient usually undergo with this treatment.

Thanks.

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