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How Effective Is Opdivo For Recurrent Metastatic Melanoma Of The Right Leg?
Question: Yes.
i have recurrent metastic melanoma of the right leg and have been under treatment for about 3 years
i have been recommended for optivo and cannot find anything about effectiveness of the treatment. My latest pet scan shows it slowly metastisizing. I have a number of other issues that complicate the potential of my being affected by serious side effects and I'm concerned as I have seen that as many as 59% of patients undergoing optivo treatments have experienced serious, even life threatening side effects. Having already been treated rather successfully with Keytruda (confining my affliction) for a couple of years and recently tried some oral medications that didn't work out at all I'm trying to find out something about how effective optivo is with people like myself that have for some time lived with the disease without it affecting other vital organs until now. I'm considering letting the melanoma take its course rather than hasten the onset of uncomfortability with dangerous treatments. I've considered seeking another type practitioner to consult about treatment/non-treatment options, but not sure what type of doctor that might be. Advice?
i have recurrent metastic melanoma of the right leg and have been under treatment for about 3 years
i have been recommended for optivo and cannot find anything about effectiveness of the treatment. My latest pet scan shows it slowly metastisizing. I have a number of other issues that complicate the potential of my being affected by serious side effects and I'm concerned as I have seen that as many as 59% of patients undergoing optivo treatments have experienced serious, even life threatening side effects. Having already been treated rather successfully with Keytruda (confining my affliction) for a couple of years and recently tried some oral medications that didn't work out at all I'm trying to find out something about how effective optivo is with people like myself that have for some time lived with the disease without it affecting other vital organs until now. I'm considering letting the melanoma take its course rather than hasten the onset of uncomfortability with dangerous treatments. I've considered seeking another type practitioner to consult about treatment/non-treatment options, but not sure what type of doctor that might be. Advice?
Brief Answer:
Optivo
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If the doctor thinks that the disease is not stable or has advanced with the previous medication then the therapy should be changed.
In your case optivo is a good choice. Of course, it has side effects but we see more benefits against the consequences.
It's your choice whether to take it or not, but it's worth trying.
The only doctor who can give you the right information in your case is the oncologist.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Esmeralda Sera
Oncologist
Optivo
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If the doctor thinks that the disease is not stable or has advanced with the previous medication then the therapy should be changed.
In your case optivo is a good choice. Of course, it has side effects but we see more benefits against the consequences.
It's your choice whether to take it or not, but it's worth trying.
The only doctor who can give you the right information in your case is the oncologist.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Esmeralda Sera
Oncologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
That's what you consider that a serious answer? I was hoping for some for some information regarding the effectiveness of this treatment versus the risks and alternatives. Can you provide that, please?
Also too. Why don't the links in your e-mails work properly? They won't load and I have to log-in and hunt and peck to find and see your "answers" or ask a follow up.
Also too. Why don't the links in your e-mails work properly? They won't load and I have to log-in and hunt and peck to find and see your "answers" or ask a follow up.
Brief Answer:
Opdivo
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
OPDIVO is a medicine that may treat your advanced melanoma by working with your immune system. The treatment results are good while keeping the disease under control. Side effects exist but you have not tried the medication yet.
In my opinion, keeping under control of the disease is more important than the side effects for you at this moment.
Opdivo is the best choice in your case.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Esmeralda Sera
Oncologist
Opdivo
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
OPDIVO is a medicine that may treat your advanced melanoma by working with your immune system. The treatment results are good while keeping the disease under control. Side effects exist but you have not tried the medication yet.
In my opinion, keeping under control of the disease is more important than the side effects for you at this moment.
Opdivo is the best choice in your case.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Esmeralda Sera
Oncologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Perhaps I can make questions clearer for you. I presume trials occurred during the development of this drug/treatment. My questions surround what were some of the results of those trials in addition to the facts that I've found, that; in one trial 41% of those treated had SERIOUS ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS and in another 59%. Doctor, what were the some of the other treatment outcomes? For example:
1) Was ANYONE CURED, if so, what PERCENTAGE OR NUMBER? 2) DID ANYONE HAVE AN IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR CONDITION, if so, what PERCENTAGE OR NUMBER? 3) DID ANYONE HAVE THEIR LIFE EXTENDED AS A RESULT OF THEIR TREATMENT AND, once again, if so, HOW MANY OR WHAT PERCENTAGE?
You may see that I'm trying to develop enough information to make an informed decision to determine whether I would prefer to die, perhaps even peacefully from the natural progression of the disease or the thoroughly inhumane and horrible side effects of the treatment, which, it would appear that a great many, in some cases the clear majority of those participating in trials experienced. Thanks for your patience but I am running out of time to make this decision as you might imagine, so;if you could give me an answer as soon as possible, please.
1) Was ANYONE CURED, if so, what PERCENTAGE OR NUMBER? 2) DID ANYONE HAVE AN IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR CONDITION, if so, what PERCENTAGE OR NUMBER? 3) DID ANYONE HAVE THEIR LIFE EXTENDED AS A RESULT OF THEIR TREATMENT AND, once again, if so, HOW MANY OR WHAT PERCENTAGE?
You may see that I'm trying to develop enough information to make an informed decision to determine whether I would prefer to die, perhaps even peacefully from the natural progression of the disease or the thoroughly inhumane and horrible side effects of the treatment, which, it would appear that a great many, in some cases the clear majority of those participating in trials experienced. Thanks for your patience but I am running out of time to make this decision as you might imagine, so;if you could give me an answer as soon as possible, please.
Brief Answer:
OPDIVO
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Opdivo (Nivolumab) Demonstrates Superior Recurrence-Free Survival for Patients with High-Risk Melanoma in Phase 3 CheckMate
At this planned interim analysis, Opdivo met its primary endpoint, showing a statistically significant improvement of 35% in RF
The 18-month RFS rates for the Opdivo respectively, were 66.4%
Nivolumab had longer progression-free survival than other treatment
Patients treated with OPDIVO had a 57% reduced risk of cancer spreading, growing or getting worse.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Esmeralda Sera
Oncologist
OPDIVO
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Opdivo (Nivolumab) Demonstrates Superior Recurrence-Free Survival for Patients with High-Risk Melanoma in Phase 3 CheckMate
At this planned interim analysis, Opdivo met its primary endpoint, showing a statistically significant improvement of 35% in RF
The 18-month RFS rates for the Opdivo respectively, were 66.4%
Nivolumab had longer progression-free survival than other treatment
Patients treated with OPDIVO had a 57% reduced risk of cancer spreading, growing or getting worse.
Hope I have answered your query.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr. Esmeralda Sera
Oncologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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