ILP - ISOLATED LIMB PERFUSION

This blog is not for medical professionals, as I am sure they will cringe at my primitive explanations.  I will be attempting to describe, in grossly simplistic terms, some issues we are facing. I am not a fan of TMI, yet I want to give a Big Picture overview.  You can, of course, google for more detailed information.

Dave has, basically, been given 4 possible treatment options:
1.  12-18 months of the drug interferon, which makes you feel like you have the flu.  The risk of melanoma recurring is reduced by only 3-10%.
2.  Participate in a clinical trial.  He would get one of three drugs (no placebo) for 12-18 months:
     a.  Interferon (same as above)
     b.  High dosage of ipilimumab
     c.  Low dosage of ipilimumab
Although there has been success with ipilimumab, the side effects can be devastating.
3.  Isolated Limb Perfusion with the drug melphalan - a 5-8 hour procedure with a 5 day hospital stay.
4.  Do nothing

He has been told his melanoma will most likely return, and at shorter intervals, so he does have an interest in preventive options.

As of today he is leaning toward the ILP, as it seems to give the best results with the fewest side effects.

In simplistic terms, he would have a tourniquet put on his arm, chemo would be pumped in, and the chemo and his arm would be heated.  The chemo would then be filtered out.  There is the possibility of the ILP damaging his arm so badly it may need to be amputated.  We do not know how often that happens, and that is, of course the extreme case.  Less extreme cases include skin, nerve and muscle damage.

Considering Dave has no sign of cancer in him now, though also knowing it is almost certain to recur, it is hard to decide to put yourself through any of these options.

We are still researching and have lots of questions for the doctors before Dave decides what to do.