Dick_K's Profile

Nov. 1998 - Atypical mole excised, Clarks level IV, sentinel node biopsy, all is good. Continue with annual check-ups and x-rays.
Aug. 2007 - Unrelated to melanoma, partial parotidectomy for a myoepithelial carcinoma.
Aug. 2009 - After several months of persistent cough, PCP sent for x-ray. Tumors in lung found and confirmed with CT scan.
Sep. 2009 - Two lung needle biopsies and one PET scan later, metastatic melanoma in lung.
Oct. 2009 - Local oncologist refers to Yale New Haven Cancer Center and start IL-2.
Nov. 2009 - Finish IL-2.
Dec. 2009 - CT and MRI scans, IL-2 did not work.
Jan. 2010 - Yale New Haven has nothing good to offer, but are aware of clinical trials at New York University.
Jan. 2010 - NYU Cancer institute discusses a trial treatment that I could be eligible for if I have the correct mutation. At this time, breathing is very difficult and speech is halting.
Feb. 2010 - Biopsy material from Sep.2009 not large enough to test; need lung surgery to get a larger sample.
Feb. 2010 - BRAF positive, pass all of the other screening tests.
Mar. 3, 2010 - Start Roche RO5185426, 960 mg twice per day as part of phase II trial.
Mar. 17, 2010 - First visit with Oncologist after starting trial; breathing is much improved.
Apr. 12, 2010 - CT/PET scans show tumor shrinkage. Side effects starting to kick in: body rash (none on face), body hair loss (very little on head), very sensitive to sun (tough for someone who likes gardening), mild neuropathy in both feet, mild swelling in left foot, warts on various parts of body with some taken off. All except one wart that is taken off is benign, one is a squamous-cell carcinoma.
Dec. 12, 2010 - Mohs micrographic surgery for the squamous-cell carcinoma.
Dec. 16, 2010 - CT/PET scans (having been done every six weeks in past year) show tumor shrinkage about 95% AND no active activity shows on PET scan.
Jul. 18, 2011 - Still in the Phase 2 BRIM2 test group. Still no tumor growth. Still no active activity on PET scan. Most side effects are minimized.
Aug.18 - Subject of Zelboraf FDA approval story in Wall Street Journal.
Aug.31 - Got the results from Monday's scans. #1 met now 3.0 x .3 cm for 98.5% shrinkage since Feb. 2010, #2 met 2.3 x .09 cm for 84.1% shrinkage since Feb.2010. Good to go for another six weeks
Sep. 8 - Found out I now have prostate cancer
Oct. 12 - Another set of good scans. Good to go for another six weeks. Made a decision to address prostate cancer with surgery
Nov. 24 - Scans are good. Tumors are stable and a small previously noted nodule is no longer visible. Starting month 21 on Zelboraf.
Jan. 4, 2012 - Got results of second prostate biopsy. Consistent with previous biopsy and MRI. Combined with three different Dr. opinions, decision changed to just monitor going forward.
Jan. 4, 2012 - Results from yesterday's scans. Results were good with everything stable. Going into 23rd month on Zelboraf.
Feb. 15 - Results from Monday's scans. Results good with everything still stable. 2 1/2 weeks to mark two years on Zelboraf.
Mar. 28 - Got results Monday's scans and no change! Everyone thinks the CT scan is just showing scar tissue. It's now 25 months on Zelboraf.
May 9 - Monday's scans were once again solid, no change. Good to go for another six weeks.