Former Currumbin local, Brian Littleford, was diagnosed with Melanoma Cancer of the liver and spleen on 29 March 2012. His Melanoma Cancer journey provides other patients undertaking treatment with some insight as to how he recovered.

Brian, then 78 years old, received the diagnosis after a Pet Scan. He was referred to Dr Andrew Hill here at Tasman Health Care after having suspect Lymph Glands surgically removed from his left armpit.

Here, he shares his Melanoma Cancer journey and some important things he learned along the way.

Brian’s story in his own words

“I was concerned after receiving the verdict from Dr Rutherford and I with my family organised to move from Currumbin to go to Alstonville to be our nearest and eldest son. After I was referred to Dr Hill, he asked me whether I would be prepared to be part of a worldwide program (clinical trial) to use the immune system in my body to fight and eliminate the Melanoma. I readily agreed to the proposal and Dr Hill’s staff commenced the procedure.

I was supposed to have four infusions; one month apart but after the third infusion I received a Friday night call from Dr Hill who was in Vienna and he had booked me into Allamanda Hospital as my liver was in bad shape. Over the week I was in hospital Dr Hill phoned me early morning Australia time to find out the results of my continuous blood tests and alter any further procedures required. One month later I spent another week in hospital with a blood clot on my lung. Apparently melanoma like to create blood clots in the body.

My Advice

The advice I can give to anybody is that if you have an external melanoma removed from your skin and if the biopsy results are positive, a Pet Scan should be undertaken some 4-5 years later, or as per your doctor’s advice, as you do not know what is happening inside your body. Give the immune process a means of treating your cancer. This will of course depend on what cancer you have, the location and condition.

I had a Pet Scan in March 2014 and no sign of Melanoma was apparent on the scan. That was great news just 2 years after I started the immunotherapy.

My and my family’s experience with Dr Hill was first class and when your Doctor rings from Vienna while he was attending a conference speaks highly of his concern for his patients. I have seen Dr Hill since 2012 and will continue on a maintenance program to ensure that my cancer does not start up again. Dr Hill and my Gastrologist is at present monitoring a small cyst on my Pancreas. At the last Pet scan the cyst is diminishing in size.

In Summary

My family and I were very happy with the way Dr Hill handled my treatment. Dr Hill at all times was very patient, friendly and always provided my family and I with current information that applied to my case.

We have already recommended that a male friend suffering with cancer go to see Dr Hill.”

 

Thank you for sharing your experience Brian, we appreciate your time.

Tasman Health Care is an Oncology clinic and research-focused group based on Queensland’s Gold Coast. We have an onsite Day Infusion Unit and specialise in Cancer care and treatment. We also provide a large percentage of our patients, insured or uninsured, the opportunity to access new pharmaceuticals only available through a trial opportunity.

To make an appointment with one of our Doctors, Genetic Counsellors or team of Allied Health Specialists please contact us (07) 5613 2480 or reception@tasmanhealthcare.com.au.