Comparing Pembrolizumab vs Tafinlar

For Solid Tumors: Given keytruda for metastatic epithelial pleural mesothelioma in Feb. 2017. Traditional chemotherapy did not work. Pain -- even with meds -- was a serious problem. Hope was rapidly fading. I joined a clinical trial of pembrolizumab in June 2017. The response was immediate and significant -- tumors smaller, and pain disappeared. It is now 9 months since starting pembro. My tumors continue to respond to treatment ... and hope has returned!

For Solid Tumors: After 1 1/ 2 years of TURBT treatment my husband had removal of bladder prostate and 50 lymph nodes 2 showed positive. We treated with diet and essiac with no reoccurrence. 20 months later ONE lymph node showed changes. Biopsy confirmed cancer no other signs they would not remove it, so we chose to do Pembrolizumab. We had always said no chemo or radiation period. But this was said to be working with his immune system. So he has had 2 treatments 3 weeks apart. No symptoms until 1 week after the second treatment he is complaining of back and thigh pain. We are reevaluating..... Another thing that is not being talked about is the CT scans. One nurse reluctantly admitted a small percentage of people are getting new cancer from all these scans.

For Melanoma, Metastatic: Have been on Dabrafenib and Mekinist combined for 2 weeks. Melanomas have reduced in size and blood test results were good. Hoping it continues but it is only early days for me. Nausea, pain, itchiness. Taking antihistamines. Melanomas in spine so pain expected.

For Melanoma, Metastatic: Had wide excision of Melanoma on my back. Had radical lymph node neck and under arm dissection. Found cancer in 3 nodes under arm, 1 in my neck. Been on Tafinlar for 9 months. No signs of recurrence. Have had mild to severe side effects, but they are worth it if it keeps the melanoma away. Mainly fever, sweats, and headaches.