Hello JennyJee, 

Wow we would all love to be like your dad at 85, keeping active and fit and enjoying life as he seems to be doing. I am so sorry though that he has been told this week that he has a lesion on his liver from melanoma but what a shock it must have been to discover that he had melanoma. It's good you will be seeing the oncologist this week as you must have a lot of questions you want to ask after the diagnosis. Make sure you write anything down you want to ask them ahead of your appointment to make sure you don't forget. 

It does sound like a big liver lesion. The oncologist will be able to answer your question most accurately - and it's a very good question - I guess they will take a lot of factors into account and not only his age but also his physical condition for example. So your specialist will be best placed to tell you more about this as they will have all of your dad's medical notes and records as well as the actual details of this 5cm lesion and they will be able to tell you whether they think it is operable. 

I am not sure exactly when you will be seeing the consultant but I hope that the appointment goes well and that you get all the answers you need very soon. Other members of our community may have been through something similar as you and they may have some useful insights to share so I will let them come and say hello...

Our nurses are also available on this free number 0808 800 4040 if you would like to ask them about their thoughts on this - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (but closed on Easter Monday so the helpline will be reopening at 9am on Tuesday the 2nd of April).

Best wishes to you and your dad and I hope that he enjoyed a nice Easter, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator