Question:
A friend had a growth removed from the back of his head. it was found to be
a spindle cell type melanoma. The pathologist reported that it had about 1/2
inch of "clean" edges when removed.
he had radiation. Subsequient cat scans and a couple of lymph node biopsies
have proved negative for any spread.
His Dr. has given him the option of Interferon A. The Doctor has told him,
basically, that the Interferon will prevent any regrowth while he is taking
it, but it can regrow after he stops. The course of treatment will be about
one year and that the sideeffects will be flu like symtoms.
The Doctor has told him that the incidence of regrowth is about one percent
with or without the interferon.
Any one have any experience with Interferon A ?
Answer:
My husband died of melanoma in 1990. His was a nodular form which first
appeared on his back, but was already Stage III when diagnosed. He did
take 12 weeks of treatment with interferon A after the first occurrence.
The side effects were indeed flu-like symptoms, but not intolerable. He
had a recurrence 6 months later and that spread to the liver. However,
the doctors thought that the interferon treatment had perhaps given him
that extra 6 months.
In his case, the chance of recurrence when he was first diagnosed was 50%,
because of the advanced stage.
