Hi!
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted but I’m a regular reader
My new dilemma that I could use some advice on is I’m being treated at the University of Chicago (National Cancer Institute) and over the last year and a half, have gone through the rounds of Vemurafenib and the MEK combo trial followed by the full course of ipi. I have a large tumor on my lower back that now measures 16 cm across. It grew January -May of last year while awaiting the Zelboraf-MEK combo trial but has remained stable over the last few months. During the ipi coarse, assorted nodes throughout my torso have begun to grow.
Radiation on the tumor was going to be the next step but now my oncologist wants to go to chemotherapy. He said that he has seen tumor shrinkage with chemo in patients that have had ipi. He said it seems to stimulate the immune system. He is considering writing a paper on it.
Of course, I’m dead set against chemo. I’m eligible for another round of ipi but he’s pushing the chemo. The tumor is too large to be removed.
So, has anyone heard of chemo doing this in post ipi patients? Any other suggestions I would be greatly appreciative of hearing.
Thank you so much, everyone on here! This site is such a place of solice and hope.
God bless!
Jude