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I'm a retired medical oncology MD. Unless things have changed since I have retired, there are no good systemic treatments for melanoma metastatic to the liver. Chemotherapy has never been very effective for this type of cancer. Unfortunately, the outcome for this disease will likely be exactly the same no matter what treatment your son receives. It would probably not make a difference if he had millions of dollars or terrific health insurance. It is possible that investigational treatments could be available at the larger cancer centers - especially M.D. Anderson since he is relatively near there already. In some cases they may treat patients with experimental regimens without requiring full insurance coverage. You can look into these options with his VA doctors or check online under the topic Melanoma, metastatic. There are some types of cancer for which we simply do not have good treatment options no matter who the patient may be. Sometimes melanoma patients do better than anyone expected, but in those cases it isn't the treatment but the body's immune system which seems to be the important factor. Let's hope your son is one of the ones who does much nbetter than most.
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