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Newly diagnosed stage 1a

Forums General Melanoma Community Newly diagnosed stage 1a

  • Post
    jms0104
    Participant

      I know my stage of 1a makes me very lucky, but I'm anxious nonetheless.  Dx last week with a suspicious mole on my torso, punch biopsy, stage 1a, .45mm, no ulceration.  I also have MS and have been taking an immunomodulator for the past 11 years, that I am strongly considering stopping.  Will I need a node biopsy for 1a?  Reading lots of horror stories with other Stage 1ers coming back at stage 4 much later down the road.  

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        Janner
        Participant

          SNB is not typically done for a lesion like yours.  As bad as it seems, you are in a good place.  As for stories on the internet, keep it all in context.  For every one "bad" story, there's nine stories that are good.  (Even better than 9/10 for stage 1a).  Those people just have no reason to post their success.  The only people who have reason to stay on websites and post after getting over the shock of being diagnosed are the ones that recur.  And yes, some do.  Most don't.  There is no way to know which group you are in but your stats look very good. 

          Janner
          Participant

            SNB is not typically done for a lesion like yours.  As bad as it seems, you are in a good place.  As for stories on the internet, keep it all in context.  For every one "bad" story, there's nine stories that are good.  (Even better than 9/10 for stage 1a).  Those people just have no reason to post their success.  The only people who have reason to stay on websites and post after getting over the shock of being diagnosed are the ones that recur.  And yes, some do.  Most don't.  There is no way to know which group you are in but your stats look very good. 

              jms0104
              Participant

                Thanks Janner.  Looks like you started out in a similar fashion.  Assume you have been NDE for quite some time?

                 

                Best,

                jms0104
                Participant

                  Thanks Janner.  Looks like you started out in a similar fashion.  Assume you have been NDE for quite some time?

                   

                  Best,

                  Janner
                  Participant

                    I was first diagnosed in 1992.  I've had 3 melanomas but I'm still stage 1b. 

                    Janner
                    Participant

                      I was first diagnosed in 1992.  I've had 3 melanomas but I'm still stage 1b. 

                      jms0104
                      Participant

                        if the lesion is excised, wouldn't you bee NED vs. 1b?

                         

                         

                        jms0104
                        Participant

                          if the lesion is excised, wouldn't you bee NED vs. 1b?

                           

                           

                          jennunicorn
                          Participant

                            NED is something you tag onto your stage, like 1b NED, 3b NED, etc. But the stage remains, if that helps clarify that. With low stages 1 through 2 the NED part is mostly assumed, since surgery is the treatment and there wouldn't be any other evidence of disease once removed.

                            jennunicorn
                            Participant

                              NED is something you tag onto your stage, like 1b NED, 3b NED, etc. But the stage remains, if that helps clarify that. With low stages 1 through 2 the NED part is mostly assumed, since surgery is the treatment and there wouldn't be any other evidence of disease once removed.

                              jms0104
                              Participant

                                helpful, thanks

                                jms0104
                                Participant

                                  helpful, thanks

                                  jms0104
                                  Participant

                                    helpful, thanks

                                    jennunicorn
                                    Participant

                                      NED is something you tag onto your stage, like 1b NED, 3b NED, etc. But the stage remains, if that helps clarify that. With low stages 1 through 2 the NED part is mostly assumed, since surgery is the treatment and there wouldn't be any other evidence of disease once removed.

                                      jms0104
                                      Participant

                                        if the lesion is excised, wouldn't you bee NED vs. 1b?

                                         

                                         

                                        Janner
                                        Participant

                                          I was first diagnosed in 1992.  I've had 3 melanomas but I'm still stage 1b. 

                                          jms0104
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks Janner.  Looks like you started out in a similar fashion.  Assume you have been NDE for quite some time?

                                             

                                            Best,

                                          Janner
                                          Participant

                                            SNB is not typically done for a lesion like yours.  As bad as it seems, you are in a good place.  As for stories on the internet, keep it all in context.  For every one "bad" story, there's nine stories that are good.  (Even better than 9/10 for stage 1a).  Those people just have no reason to post their success.  The only people who have reason to stay on websites and post after getting over the shock of being diagnosed are the ones that recur.  And yes, some do.  Most don't.  There is no way to know which group you are in but your stats look very good. 

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