Has radiation helped anyone with metastatic melanoma?

While radiation therapy for metastatic melanoma can have varying results, many patients in this community have found it helpful as part of their treatment plan, especially for targeting specific areas. Waiting for scan results can be such an anxious time, and it's wonderful that you're exploring different treatment options with your medical team while staying connected with others who understand this journey.

I've been wondering the same thing about radiation for melanoma! It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one exploring all the options and dealing with that anxious wait for scan results. I’m

My doc wanted to do 3 rounds of it then tells me it usually doesn’t respond to radiation which was not real assuring but I agree about the waiting for results it can be brutal plus I hate the fact I get the results before my doctors thru My Chart. We are left to guess and look up words on Dr Google.

I had six rounds for a couple of spots on my brain and then about six months later I had targeted radiation again for about four rounds for a lump on my lower back. Both were 100% successful and due to immunotherapy, radiation, and a splenectomy I am now in complete remission for almost 2 years. I did not have any side effects from the radiation so I imagine I am one of the lucky people. It doesn’t hurt to give it a shot. I admire your willingness to reach out and get opinions, because everyone has such a different experience. Try to stay positive… I truly believe it helps. Just out of curiosity why would your doctor want to do something that he doesn’t think would be successful? Best of luck to you.

5 Stereotactic radiation treatments on my melanoma tumor in frontal lobe plus immunotherapy has been effective. Shrank tumor. Continuing with immunotherapy infusions every month. Joint inflammation is side effect. Staying positive.

Thank you Lisa and Robert for the feedback. The radiation did shrink the spot on my T9 vertebrae “significantly” as the doctor put it but a new spot showed up on my rib but the doctor isn’t convinced it is the melanoma. Sending me for a Signatera blood test, it’s some kind of Tumor genomic profile blood test. If it does come back positive she said another round of radiation. Thank you guys again for the feedback.

Where in your body do you have it William

My doctor said radiation is an option depending on how the opdualag works. Three months in, two immunotherapy treatments, awaiting treatment #3 because of elevated liver enzymes, then we evaluate. MM nodules in my left lung but thankfully nowhere else. 🙏😕

Hi Bobby, my original diagnosis was malignant melanoma of my right breast. Started with a mole, had surgery to remove and resection but then about a year later found a tumor in same area. Had a biopsy which tested positive for melanoma so had surgery to remove that along with lymph nodes some of which tested positive as well. It then appeared on my T9 vertebrae which is what I underwent radiation for. My latest scan showed the radiation did help shrink the spot on my T9 but a new spot showed on my rib.Been doing Opdivo for a year and a half now but may switch me to Opdualag. Hope you are doing well and thank you for your response

My doctor has me on mekinist and tafinlar. Had a brain tumor that they had two surgically removed then they did six rounds of radiation one round each on each frontal lobe where I had small spots that was 3 years ago and I've been on this medication since then and it has kept everything in check the spots on my lungs and my stomach are gone you might want to ask your doctor about these meds since it keeps coming back God bless you have a great day

William all of mine were also melanoma just letting you know

I had radiation therapy for 5 days in row 3 years ago and my tumor is now extremely small and not progressing

Bobby, you have to be Braf positive for those drugs to be effective. I’m negative.

Scan showed a new spot on my rib. The first round of radiation helped the spot on my T9 vertebrae so the doc wants me to try another round targeting the new spot. She said it’s very small right now and feels the radiation will be effective. Also may switch me to Opdualog or the oral pills or maybe both. Some days the journey seems never ending, hope all of you are doing well with your treatments.

William, I'm currently on Opdualag, third treatment done. MM nodules in my left lung. Had to delay treatment #3 due to elevated liver enzymes. First PET scan yesterday since diagnosis. Hoping for good results and praying for you and others on this journey.

Have been on Opdivo for over a year now. Have researched Opdualag and seems to get very good results. Waiting for scan results is stressful and I hate getting the results before the doctors in My Chart. My wife and I always end up trying to look up what it all means and sometimes we get it all wrong so we gave up on that and wait til the doctors translate it all. Will be thinking and praying you get good results from your scan!! This is a rough journey but it’s nice to be able to reach out to others that understand the experience. Wishing you the best

Ain't it the truth getting the results first. It's a whole other language that is difficult to translate. I kinda enjoy running it through CHATGPT and Gemini just to see what it says. 🙃 🤔

David and William The 20 nodules are gone and the one new one is gone on Opdualag. My recent PET scan showed indeterminate in my brain with 27.3 SUV. My oncologist didn’t see that and had a call in to speak to the radiologist. My Signatera is positive but he says it is a weak one since the graft is very low. He ordered a brain MRI. 🙏🍀

Jill, any cancer gone is a good thing. Hang in there on the next steps. Good thoughts and prayers headed your way.!! 🙏 🙏 👏