On 2/8/2008 Cheech wrote:
I was diagnosed with mucosal melanoma Dec '06. Tumor was on the vagina. Immediately went to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Surgery and radiation worked. 7 months later, cancer had metastasized to liver and lung. Chemo was Cisplatin, Temador and Nexavar. After 2 treatments, this didn't work so I was switched to Cisplatin, Temador and Gleevic. Still no success. I am now in a clinical trial using Ipilimumab. I have started and travel to Houston every 3 weeks for treatment. I won't know if it's working until May. MD Anderson is the best. Other cancer centers are Ketterling-Sloan in New York and Mayo's in Minnesota.
My aunt (at age 60) was diagnosed with vaginal mucosal melanoma in Dec, 2005 at which time the mass was removed. She then had an additonal surgery to remove more tissue around the original tumor site. She began taking Interferon (5 days/week for 4 weeks - followed with 3 days/week for 8 months). In October, 2006 the disease had metastized to the liver. She was put on Temador from Jan 07 to Apr 07. The next scan in Apr 07 showed the disease had spread to her lungs and the original tumors had increased. She began taking Taxol and Avastin in May 07 and the tumors were decreasing. She was on Taxol and Avastin from May 07 to Apr 08. The April 08 scan showed the Taxol and Avastin was not decreasing the tumors anymore. She was then put on Carboplatin and had 2 treatments. The Carboplatin caused a severe decline in her platelets, resulting in 2-3 platelet transfusions. Her WBC and hemoglobin suffered as well. She missed treatments due to the side effects. Her last scan was June 26, 2008 and her tumors had increased. She has now been prescribed Gleevec, but the doctor doesn't seem to think it will work. We contacted MD Anderson after she was diagnosed, they reviewed her medical records and said she was receiving the best care at UAB-Birmingham. Therefore, there was no need for her to be seen at MD Anderson. Any new info you can share? Our prayers are with you.