Dawn Goo is a waitress, former comedian, breast cancer survivor and is now under treatment for Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. She lives in El Paso, Texas. This is a post from her Facebook page which is gathering momentum in social media among people who have experienced cancer, especially those who are dealing with Stage 4 disease. DAMN IT DAWN! WE ONLY WANT...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effects on the immune system associated with the use of ipilimumab (Yervoy) to treat melanoma. Researchers suggested that one-third of the patients treated with ipilimimuab required treatment for the negative side effects. Some background Ipilimumab is an antibody that helps the immune system to...
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In a nutshell This study investigated proteins (blood factors) in patients with early-stage melanoma that identify those at a high risk of experiencing metastasis (cancer spread) after surgery. Researchers suggested that tumor stage and proteins such as vitronectin (VN) and dermcidin (DCD) levels were associated with the metastatic progression of...
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In a nutshell This study developed guidelines for the early detection and treatment of hypophysitis (HP; inflammation of the pituitary gland), a side effect of treatment with ipilimumab. Researchers suggested that these guidelines are necessary to ensure early detection and treatment of this condition to prevent associated mortality. Some background...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the safe margin (the tissue removed around the tumor during surgery) for stage 2 melanomas (tumors with 1-2 mm in thickness). Researchers suggested that the safe margin during melanoma surgery is between 8 and 16 mm. Some background The standard treatment for patients with stage 2 melanomas (tumor...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness and safety of the combined treatment of vemurafenib (Zelboraf) with cobimetinib (Cotellic) in advanced melanoma. Researchers concluded that this combination treatment is an important therapy option for patients with advanced melanoma. Some background Some melanoma patients have a...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This review investigated whether ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo) combined treatment would be a safe standard treatment for advanced melanoma. Researchers concluded that this combined treatment cannot be considered the standard treatment yet due to the lack of overall survival studies and high rates of toxicity. Some...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the negative effects on the skin associated with the use of nivolumab (Opdivo) to treat melanoma. Researchers suggested that skin complications are the most frequent side effects but they are in most cases manageable. Some background The use of PD-1 antibodies, such as nivolumab (Opdivo) or pembrolizumab...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the predictive factors for the outcomes of stage 3b melanoma. Researchers suggested that patients older than 50 years old, with tumors thicker than 2 mm and positive pelvic lymph nodes are more at risk of death by stage 3b melanoma. Some background The incidence of melanoma has been rising worldwide....
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The northern hemisphere is experiencing all that autumn brings–colors in reds, golds, purples, browns and orange. Leaves, squash, corn, potatoes and pumpkins are the flowers of fall. Potatoes, first cultivated by the Incas, are now one of the largest food crops worldwide. To celebrate autumn we are sharing another recipe by Holly Clegg called...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness of ipilimumab (Yervoy) in patients with stage 3 melanoma with high risk of recurrence (when cancer comes back). Researchers suggested that ipilimumab (at a dose of 10mg/kg) significantly increased survival of these patients. Some background Ipilimumab is an antibody that helps the...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and peptide vaccination (PV) on survival of patients with advanced melanoma. Researchers suggested that neither GM-CSF nor PV were associated with improved survival. Some background GM-CSF stimulates the immune system to produce more...
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