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WLE for newly diagnosed 1a this week – very concerned
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WLE for newly diagnosed 1a this week – very concerned

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › WLE for newly diagnosed 1a this week – very concerned

  • Post
    • November 16, 2016 at 4:25 am
    jms0104
    Participant

      Met with melanoma specialist at Northside Hospital here in Atlanta on Mon.  They went over my punch biopsy results for my stage 1a, .49mm, no ulceration, no mitosis, melanoma located on my side trunk area.  Recommendation was for WLE and no further tests or treatment.  I'm considering pushing for a sentinel biopsy or pet scan as an extra precaution.  I'm scared to death that this will come roaring back, although the doctor said the chances were only around 5% and that the chances of a node biopsy showing anything are also very slim.  It seems as though there are many folks on here who started out as 1a only to find stage 3 or 4 disease years later and I want to do everything I can to mitigate my risk.

       

      thanks

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 16, 2016 at 5:41 am
        Janner
        Participant

          There is a reason they have guidelines – they've analyzed who is most likely to have spread and who isn't.  Why do unnecessary surgery?  The SNB is a diagnostic tool only, not a guarantee of anything.  And it is unlikely your insurance would pay for a PET scan for a stage 1a lesion.  (Since PET scans only show tumors at least 5mm and greater, it's not a particularly useful tool for someone in your shoes).  I know it's unnerving and it will continue to be for a while – but you are in a good place and your doctors are following the standard of care for your lesion.  Remember, the internet is NOT a good representative sample of the melanoma population – especially for those who never deal with melanoma again (as is likely in your case).

          Janner

          Stage 1B since 1992, 3 MM primaries

          • November 16, 2016 at 5:41 am
          Janner
          Participant

            There is a reason they have guidelines – they've analyzed who is most likely to have spread and who isn't.  Why do unnecessary surgery?  The SNB is a diagnostic tool only, not a guarantee of anything.  And it is unlikely your insurance would pay for a PET scan for a stage 1a lesion.  (Since PET scans only show tumors at least 5mm and greater, it's not a particularly useful tool for someone in your shoes).  I know it's unnerving and it will continue to be for a while – but you are in a good place and your doctors are following the standard of care for your lesion.  Remember, the internet is NOT a good representative sample of the melanoma population – especially for those who never deal with melanoma again (as is likely in your case).

            Janner

            Stage 1B since 1992, 3 MM primaries

            • November 16, 2016 at 5:41 am
            Janner
            Participant

              There is a reason they have guidelines – they've analyzed who is most likely to have spread and who isn't.  Why do unnecessary surgery?  The SNB is a diagnostic tool only, not a guarantee of anything.  And it is unlikely your insurance would pay for a PET scan for a stage 1a lesion.  (Since PET scans only show tumors at least 5mm and greater, it's not a particularly useful tool for someone in your shoes).  I know it's unnerving and it will continue to be for a while – but you are in a good place and your doctors are following the standard of care for your lesion.  Remember, the internet is NOT a good representative sample of the melanoma population – especially for those who never deal with melanoma again (as is likely in your case).

              Janner

              Stage 1B since 1992, 3 MM primaries

                • November 16, 2016 at 2:04 pm
                jms0104
                Participant

                  thanks again for the reply Janner.  Appreciate you monitoring these boards, despite your long time stability.  Your contributions have been a helpful resource to me.

                   

                   

                  • November 16, 2016 at 2:04 pm
                  jms0104
                  Participant

                    thanks again for the reply Janner.  Appreciate you monitoring these boards, despite your long time stability.  Your contributions have been a helpful resource to me.

                     

                     

                    • November 16, 2016 at 2:04 pm
                    jms0104
                    Participant

                      thanks again for the reply Janner.  Appreciate you monitoring these boards, despite your long time stability.  Your contributions have been a helpful resource to me.

                       

                       

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