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- This topic has 24 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 4 months ago by
djcota.
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Where do we start? Husband just diagnosed with malignant melanoma: head is spinning, frustrated. Have many questions/concerns. Next surgery date not till Feb. 15!!! We feel that is too far away. We would rather be safe than sorry. Presently seeing dermatologist–should we jump the gun and go to another Dr.? Where can I find the most up to date and accurate information?
We would appreciate any information you can give us.
Where do we start? Husband just diagnosed with malignant melanoma: head is spinning, frustrated. Have many questions/concerns. Next surgery date not till Feb. 15!!! We feel that is too far away. We would rather be safe than sorry. Presently seeing dermatologist–should we jump the gun and go to another Dr.? Where can I find the most up to date and accurate information?
We would appreciate any information you can give us.
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:28 pm
We don't have enough information to give you any feedback. Depending on the "details" of the melanoma lesion, a dermatologist may be just fine. And surgery should basically be performed within 90 days so 2-3 weeks is not considered an issue.
What I suggest is that you get a copy of the pathology report from the dermatologist. If you post that here, we can answer your questions. Until then, we're guessing in the dark. The Breslow Depth of the lesion is the most important factor and without knowing at least that, we're really in the dark. There is a big difference in our advice regarding treatment, doctors, etc. based on the depth of the lesion.
Give us more info and we'd be happy to help.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:28 pm
We don't have enough information to give you any feedback. Depending on the "details" of the melanoma lesion, a dermatologist may be just fine. And surgery should basically be performed within 90 days so 2-3 weeks is not considered an issue.
What I suggest is that you get a copy of the pathology report from the dermatologist. If you post that here, we can answer your questions. Until then, we're guessing in the dark. The Breslow Depth of the lesion is the most important factor and without knowing at least that, we're really in the dark. There is a big difference in our advice regarding treatment, doctors, etc. based on the depth of the lesion.
Give us more info and we'd be happy to help.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Hi there – I am sorry to hear about your husband. Having done through this with my sister and having learned what I have learned, I would contact Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC and the H Lee Moffit Center in Tampa, Florida. THe National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland as well. God Bless you and your husband. Keep fighting!!
Stacie from New York
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Hi there – I am sorry to hear about your husband. Having done through this with my sister and having learned what I have learned, I would contact Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC and the H Lee Moffit Center in Tampa, Florida. THe National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland as well. God Bless you and your husband. Keep fighting!!
Stacie from New York
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Hi there – I am sorry to hear about your husband. Having done through this with my sister and having learned what I have learned, I would contact Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC and the H Lee Moffit Center in Tampa, Florida. THe National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland as well. God Bless you and your husband. Keep fighting!!
Stacie from New York
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:28 pm
We don't have enough information to give you any feedback. Depending on the "details" of the melanoma lesion, a dermatologist may be just fine. And surgery should basically be performed within 90 days so 2-3 weeks is not considered an issue.
What I suggest is that you get a copy of the pathology report from the dermatologist. If you post that here, we can answer your questions. Until then, we're guessing in the dark. The Breslow Depth of the lesion is the most important factor and without knowing at least that, we're really in the dark. There is a big difference in our advice regarding treatment, doctors, etc. based on the depth of the lesion.
Give us more info and we'd be happy to help.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Hello,
The other thing I would consider strongly is to get to a melanoma specialist.
Where the melanoma is located? Was it a lesion on the surface and was it seeping? Much information on a pathology report that would help many to give you suggestions.
Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)
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- January 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Hello,
The other thing I would consider strongly is to get to a melanoma specialist.
Where the melanoma is located? Was it a lesion on the surface and was it seeping? Much information on a pathology report that would help many to give you suggestions.
Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)
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- January 31, 2012 at 11:46 pm
thanks for replying to my email. I haven't got much information–were waiting for second biopsy-should hear in the next day or two. They did the second surgery on Wed. of last week. Ended up having to cut to the muscle. (was on his calf) Looks like we wait and keep up the fight.
thanks again
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- January 31, 2012 at 11:46 pm
thanks for replying to my email. I haven't got much information–were waiting for second biopsy-should hear in the next day or two. They did the second surgery on Wed. of last week. Ended up having to cut to the muscle. (was on his calf) Looks like we wait and keep up the fight.
thanks again
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- January 31, 2012 at 11:46 pm
thanks for replying to my email. I haven't got much information–were waiting for second biopsy-should hear in the next day or two. They did the second surgery on Wed. of last week. Ended up having to cut to the muscle. (was on his calf) Looks like we wait and keep up the fight.
thanks again
-
- January 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Hello,
The other thing I would consider strongly is to get to a melanoma specialist.
Where the melanoma is located? Was it a lesion on the surface and was it seeping? Much information on a pathology report that would help many to give you suggestions.
Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)
-
- January 23, 2012 at 4:24 pm
If you are in Batavia N.Y., you might try Roswell in Buffalo or get a consult with Dr. Kirkwood at the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. You need to be seen by a melanoma specialist.
I am also in Upstate N.Y., Rochester.
If you have any questions you can contact me by going to my Blog
Melanoma Missionary.
http://melanomamissionary.blogspot.com/
Best Regards,
Jimmy B
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- January 23, 2012 at 4:24 pm
If you are in Batavia N.Y., you might try Roswell in Buffalo or get a consult with Dr. Kirkwood at the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. You need to be seen by a melanoma specialist.
I am also in Upstate N.Y., Rochester.
If you have any questions you can contact me by going to my Blog
Melanoma Missionary.
http://melanomamissionary.blogspot.com/
Best Regards,
Jimmy B
-
- January 23, 2012 at 4:24 pm
If you are in Batavia N.Y., you might try Roswell in Buffalo or get a consult with Dr. Kirkwood at the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. You need to be seen by a melanoma specialist.
I am also in Upstate N.Y., Rochester.
If you have any questions you can contact me by going to my Blog
Melanoma Missionary.
http://melanomamissionary.blogspot.com/
Best Regards,
Jimmy B
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- January 23, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Hi….I am sorry to hear about your husband and certainly understand what you are going through….head spinning, questions etc. I am new to this, diagnosed Jan 3, and had the same questions/concerns. All the support on this forum is a good start for you and what you are feeling are normal reactions. Like most have said, without the details, hard to make suggestions to you.
Kelli
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- January 23, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Hi….I am sorry to hear about your husband and certainly understand what you are going through….head spinning, questions etc. I am new to this, diagnosed Jan 3, and had the same questions/concerns. All the support on this forum is a good start for you and what you are feeling are normal reactions. Like most have said, without the details, hard to make suggestions to you.
Kelli
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- January 23, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Hi….I am sorry to hear about your husband and certainly understand what you are going through….head spinning, questions etc. I am new to this, diagnosed Jan 3, and had the same questions/concerns. All the support on this forum is a good start for you and what you are feeling are normal reactions. Like most have said, without the details, hard to make suggestions to you.
Kelli
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- January 24, 2012 at 3:35 am
I would not worry about the surgery being so far away. If the melanoma has been removed, then further surgery is usually a precaution and not something that a week or two will make any difference with. As for jumping the gun and going to another doctor. I would say that's a good idea! Not because you could get surgery sooner, but I feel that dermatologists are good for finding melanoma, but once found, you need a melanoma specialist, which is usually a surgeon who specializes in melanoma at a melanoma clinic at a major medical center. It's worth it to get this kind of expertise, even if the melanoma is thin and not considered high risk. Just my opinion.
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- January 24, 2012 at 3:35 am
I would not worry about the surgery being so far away. If the melanoma has been removed, then further surgery is usually a precaution and not something that a week or two will make any difference with. As for jumping the gun and going to another doctor. I would say that's a good idea! Not because you could get surgery sooner, but I feel that dermatologists are good for finding melanoma, but once found, you need a melanoma specialist, which is usually a surgeon who specializes in melanoma at a melanoma clinic at a major medical center. It's worth it to get this kind of expertise, even if the melanoma is thin and not considered high risk. Just my opinion.
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- January 24, 2012 at 3:35 am
I would not worry about the surgery being so far away. If the melanoma has been removed, then further surgery is usually a precaution and not something that a week or two will make any difference with. As for jumping the gun and going to another doctor. I would say that's a good idea! Not because you could get surgery sooner, but I feel that dermatologists are good for finding melanoma, but once found, you need a melanoma specialist, which is usually a surgeon who specializes in melanoma at a melanoma clinic at a major medical center. It's worth it to get this kind of expertise, even if the melanoma is thin and not considered high risk. Just my opinion.
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