u/newengland829

38M diagnosed with Stage 3C melanoma from a mole in the middle of my groin. Due to the location of the original tumor, it affected both lymph node basins in the groin. Pre surgery Natera ctDNA was positive at .20 MTM/ml. I completed neoadjuvant IPI/NIVO, WLE, and SNLE where they removed 6 nodes on the left and 1 on the right. 5 tested positive from left and 1 on the right

Due to the amount of nodes involved, they bumped me up to Stage 3D. Pathology revealed approx 30% of tumor remained with the rest necrosis, and immune cells. Following surgery m,y ctDNA test were negative. As result, they recommend BRAF/MEK inhibitors for a year since I am V600e positive for any in-transit cells that may or may not be there.

Has anyone has good success with these inhibitors staying NED for years to come at Stage 3D?? Side effects?

38M diagnosed with Stage 3C melanoma from a mole in the middle of my groin. Due to the location of the original tumor, it affected both lymph node basins in the groin. Pre surgery Natera ctDNA was positive at .20 MTM/ml. I completed neoadjuvant IPI/NIVO, WLE, and SNLE where they removed 6 nodes on the left and 1 on the right. 5 tested positive from left and 1 on the right

Due to the amount of nodes involved, they bumped me up to Stage 3D. Pathology revealed approx 30% of tumor remained with the rest necrosis, and immune cells. Following surgery m,y ctDNA test were negative. As result, they recommend BRAF/MEK inhibitors for a year since I am V600e positive for any in-transit cells that may or may not be there.

Has anyone has good success with these inhibitors staying NED for years to come at Stage 3D??

It looks like ipi/nivo failed and I had little to no response to ipi/nivo before surgery. Oncologist suggested a year of full dose Nivo for a year for BRAF V600e melanoma.

Has anyone been in the same situation and have nivo work after surgery???

38 year old male diagnosed in April 2026 with Stage 3c melanoma in the groin. Two lymph nodes on the left side were seen on PET/CT as cancer. Tumor was BRAF V600e positive.

Completed 2 courses of IPI/NIVO and had the WLE last week. Nuclear testing and blue die suggested both sides were within the lymph drainage area of the main tumor. The doctor went into the surgery with taking the two swollen nodes out but end up with taking 7; 5 on the left side and 2 on the right side on the groin.

Following the WLE and SNLE, the pathology results were shocking. The WLE came back with clear margins. The SNLE revealed that 4 of the left side nodes were still positive and 1 of the right side was still positive for melanoma.

Pathology didn’t say if there was any response of the tumor to ipi/nivo but the doctor didn’t believe there was a good response since there was “spread” to other nodes.

Team is looking for next steps. My question is it still curable and what are the possible next steps/medications?

38 year old male diagnosed in April 2026 with Stage 3c melanoma in the groin. Two lymph nodes on the left side were seen on PET/CT as cancer. Tumor was BRAF V600e positive.

Completed 2 courses of IPI/NIVO and had the WLE last week. Nuclear testing and blue die suggested both sides were within the lymph drainage area of the main tumor. The doctor went into the surgery with taking the two swollen nodes out but end up with taking 7; 5 on the left side and 2 on the right side on the groin.

Following the WLE and SNLE, the pathology results were shocking. The WLE came back with clear margins. The SNLE revealed that 4 of the left side nodes were still positive and 1 of the right side was still positive for melanoma.

Pathology didn’t say if there was any response of the tumor to ipi/nivo but the doctor didn’t believe there was a good response since there was “spread” to other nodes.

Team is looking for next steps. My question is it still curable and what are the possible next steps/medications?

Diagnosed with Stage 3c in the groin. Had WLE last week and it came back with clear margins. Unfortunately, they removed 7 lymph nodes 5 on the left side of groin and 2 on the right side. 4 on the left and 1 on the right still tested positive for melanoma. Completed two courses of ipi/nivo with what looks like little response.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What’s next? Is there still a chance it can be “cured”