I will keep this short and to the point.
My father was originally diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma in his foot in late 2004. After toe and partial foot amputation and Interferon he was in remission until 8 months ago.
In November 2007 more tumors began to grow in his foot and calf. The first few were removed, but less than a week later his leg was engulfed by 19 more tumors throughout his calf and thigh.
In April 2008 he was administered an Isolated Limb Profusion. In two weeks all but the largest tumors had died, and/or fallen off. Upon his return visit, 6 more tumors, 3 above the profusion line and 3 below in a patch of skin where the profusion did not reach (by ankle).
Yesterday he was informed that the doctor's a Robert Wood Johnson convened to discuss his case and the following protocols were said to be his best treatment:
A lottery clinical trial which only hopes to contain and control the current tumors and deny further tumors from appearing. If after the trial finishes, if it is working and side-effects are minimal, he would remain on the protocol for the remainder of his life.
His oncologist keeps telling us that he is great health and that his life in not in danger.
My questions are:
Has anyone ever heard of such a prognosis?
Given the aggressiveness of his particular melanoma, and the the speed at which the tumors are appearing and growing, what is my dad really looking at here?
Thanks and god bless,
Joe