› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Advice needed for follow-up after WLE and SNB
- This topic has 18 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 7 months ago by
Minnesota.
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- February 6, 2012 at 6:06 am
I have completed my WLE and SNB. Both are okay, thankfully, so I assume that means I stay at stage 1B (as I learned here). No one has used a stage number for me, they say I had a T2a melanoma removed.
I have had a full skin check, and will be doing that every 3 mos. I also received a comprehensive eye exam, as recommended by the dermatologist. I'm going to make a chart with photos so I can keep a close eye on myself.
I have completed my WLE and SNB. Both are okay, thankfully, so I assume that means I stay at stage 1B (as I learned here). No one has used a stage number for me, they say I had a T2a melanoma removed.
I have had a full skin check, and will be doing that every 3 mos. I also received a comprehensive eye exam, as recommended by the dermatologist. I'm going to make a chart with photos so I can keep a close eye on myself.
The dermatologist cautioned me against any treatment that an oncologist might recommend. He said there is no treatment (at this point for me) that would help. He said that if it were to reoccur, it would most likely be in the same location, and removed surgically.
The surgeon said I could meet with an oncologist to see what he/she might recommend, but it would probably be nothing. I told her what the dermatologist said, and then she said she agrees that it would be okay with me not meeting one also. I asked her if I should have any scans. She said something like, "finding something on a scan before it presents itself does not change prognosis." So, no, to scans.
As I understand it, we don't have melanoma specialists in Minnesota, and my insurance doesn't allow out-of-network coverage to go out of state. There is an oncologist who works with more melanoma patients. I think his name is Thomas Amatruda, MD.
So, my questions are:
Is it important to meet with an oncologist now?
Is there any type of test/scan I should be requesting or that should have been offered to me?
Thank you
- Replies
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- February 6, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Hi J3P –
How is your surgical area feeling. I posted here to the forum as well. I would think at this point (2 weeks out) I would no longer be sore. The groin area is pretty swollen, like a huge egg under the incision, with pain going down to my knee. Are you still feeling the pain or pretty healed up? I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow, Dermatologist at Sloan on the 13th. I will let you know what information they provide with regard to follow up scans and oncology. Stay tuned!!
J3K
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- February 6, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Hi J3P –
How is your surgical area feeling. I posted here to the forum as well. I would think at this point (2 weeks out) I would no longer be sore. The groin area is pretty swollen, like a huge egg under the incision, with pain going down to my knee. Are you still feeling the pain or pretty healed up? I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow, Dermatologist at Sloan on the 13th. I will let you know what information they provide with regard to follow up scans and oncology. Stay tuned!!
J3K
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- February 6, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Hi J3P –
How is your surgical area feeling. I posted here to the forum as well. I would think at this point (2 weeks out) I would no longer be sore. The groin area is pretty swollen, like a huge egg under the incision, with pain going down to my knee. Are you still feeling the pain or pretty healed up? I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow, Dermatologist at Sloan on the 13th. I will let you know what information they provide with regard to follow up scans and oncology. Stay tuned!!
J3K
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- February 6, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Make an appointment!!!
Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Center
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
612-625-5199
Best regards,
Jimmy B.
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- February 6, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Make an appointment!!!
Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Center
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
612-625-5199
Best regards,
Jimmy B.
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- February 6, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Make an appointment!!!
Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Center
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
612-625-5199
Best regards,
Jimmy B.
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- February 6, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Stage IB.
Tests: None.
Scans: None.
Treatments after surgery: None.
Derm visits: regularly scheduled (discuss with derm)
There is not a lot an oncologist can offer you at this point. They tend to deal with active disease and you don't have that. Some doctors do blood work for stage IB. But since blood work really doesn't indicate melanoma in any fashion, there's not a lot of point. You could have your regular PCP do a normal blood draw yearly which they most likely do. Some might do a baseline chest x-ray. But since spread to the lungs isn't a typical direct path from stage IB, again there isn't much point. However, you could also ask your PCP for an annual chest x-ray if you prefer. You could ask either your derm or your PCP the best technique to palpate your local lymph basin. (Best done after you're healed). A local recurrence or a recurrence at the same lymph basin where you had the SNB would be the best checks. Since your lesion was on a leg, you can also use the other side of groin nodes for comparison as to what is "normal" for you.
I've been stage IB since 1992. I don't do blood work or chest x-rays. I don't personally see much point. I have a derm visit every 6 months (this is my lifetime routine given I've had 3 melanoma primaries). I use my photos to check for mole changes when something looks different to me. I occasionally check the lymph basins while in the shower. Peronally, don't really know what more an oncologist could offer me so I don't see much point in going there. I get tired of doctor visits and that is just one more one that doesn't seem overly productive to me.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- February 6, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Stage IB.
Tests: None.
Scans: None.
Treatments after surgery: None.
Derm visits: regularly scheduled (discuss with derm)
There is not a lot an oncologist can offer you at this point. They tend to deal with active disease and you don't have that. Some doctors do blood work for stage IB. But since blood work really doesn't indicate melanoma in any fashion, there's not a lot of point. You could have your regular PCP do a normal blood draw yearly which they most likely do. Some might do a baseline chest x-ray. But since spread to the lungs isn't a typical direct path from stage IB, again there isn't much point. However, you could also ask your PCP for an annual chest x-ray if you prefer. You could ask either your derm or your PCP the best technique to palpate your local lymph basin. (Best done after you're healed). A local recurrence or a recurrence at the same lymph basin where you had the SNB would be the best checks. Since your lesion was on a leg, you can also use the other side of groin nodes for comparison as to what is "normal" for you.
I've been stage IB since 1992. I don't do blood work or chest x-rays. I don't personally see much point. I have a derm visit every 6 months (this is my lifetime routine given I've had 3 melanoma primaries). I use my photos to check for mole changes when something looks different to me. I occasionally check the lymph basins while in the shower. Peronally, don't really know what more an oncologist could offer me so I don't see much point in going there. I get tired of doctor visits and that is just one more one that doesn't seem overly productive to me.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- February 6, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Stage IB.
Tests: None.
Scans: None.
Treatments after surgery: None.
Derm visits: regularly scheduled (discuss with derm)
There is not a lot an oncologist can offer you at this point. They tend to deal with active disease and you don't have that. Some doctors do blood work for stage IB. But since blood work really doesn't indicate melanoma in any fashion, there's not a lot of point. You could have your regular PCP do a normal blood draw yearly which they most likely do. Some might do a baseline chest x-ray. But since spread to the lungs isn't a typical direct path from stage IB, again there isn't much point. However, you could also ask your PCP for an annual chest x-ray if you prefer. You could ask either your derm or your PCP the best technique to palpate your local lymph basin. (Best done after you're healed). A local recurrence or a recurrence at the same lymph basin where you had the SNB would be the best checks. Since your lesion was on a leg, you can also use the other side of groin nodes for comparison as to what is "normal" for you.
I've been stage IB since 1992. I don't do blood work or chest x-rays. I don't personally see much point. I have a derm visit every 6 months (this is my lifetime routine given I've had 3 melanoma primaries). I use my photos to check for mole changes when something looks different to me. I occasionally check the lymph basins while in the shower. Peronally, don't really know what more an oncologist could offer me so I don't see much point in going there. I get tired of doctor visits and that is just one more one that doesn't seem overly productive to me.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- February 6, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Thank you, great information!
Janner, I had read somewhere about an annual chest x-ray, so I will talk to my PCP about that. I will also learn how to check my lymph basin.
Jimmy B., I am a patient at the University of MN because I have autoimmune skin blistering disease (pemphigoid and pemphigus), so the next time I am seen for that, I will ask about their melanoma clinic, as I'm sure it's the same doctors.
Kelli, my SNB incision is a mess, but its because I am rejecting the internal dissolvable sutures on the end that was tied off. It's inflammed with a lump under it. If you are having pain down your leg, that sounds like it could be infected, so its good you are going in tomorrow.
Thanks again, I really appreciate all the information – Paula
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- February 7, 2012 at 5:30 am
Hey MN,
I am stage 1. After surgical removal and SNLB, I did the normal baseline stuff, blood work, Chest xray, Eye exam etc.
Also had pictures taken at the Uof Minnesota before they shut down the photo and bio medical graphics group in 2001.
Had derm appointments 4 times a year for three years and twice a year since. My derm at Health Partners Riverside Clinic suggested I see an Oncologist. I did for a couple of times and basically he just felt my lymph nodes. He cut me loose after a couple of visits. Hope your incision calms down and things get back to some kind of normal for you.
Hang in there check your own nodes.
Mike N (also in Minnesota)
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- February 7, 2012 at 5:30 am
Hey MN,
I am stage 1. After surgical removal and SNLB, I did the normal baseline stuff, blood work, Chest xray, Eye exam etc.
Also had pictures taken at the Uof Minnesota before they shut down the photo and bio medical graphics group in 2001.
Had derm appointments 4 times a year for three years and twice a year since. My derm at Health Partners Riverside Clinic suggested I see an Oncologist. I did for a couple of times and basically he just felt my lymph nodes. He cut me loose after a couple of visits. Hope your incision calms down and things get back to some kind of normal for you.
Hang in there check your own nodes.
Mike N (also in Minnesota)
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- February 7, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Thanks Mike, it's great to read what you've been through and how well you are doing. I am still on the fence about seeing the oncologist, maybe if I do, it can be after my incision gets better.
I will stay on top of this, its nice to know of someone else near me who has been through it all!
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- February 7, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Thanks Mike, it's great to read what you've been through and how well you are doing. I am still on the fence about seeing the oncologist, maybe if I do, it can be after my incision gets better.
I will stay on top of this, its nice to know of someone else near me who has been through it all!
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- February 7, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Thanks Mike, it's great to read what you've been through and how well you are doing. I am still on the fence about seeing the oncologist, maybe if I do, it can be after my incision gets better.
I will stay on top of this, its nice to know of someone else near me who has been through it all!
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- February 7, 2012 at 5:30 am
Hey MN,
I am stage 1. After surgical removal and SNLB, I did the normal baseline stuff, blood work, Chest xray, Eye exam etc.
Also had pictures taken at the Uof Minnesota before they shut down the photo and bio medical graphics group in 2001.
Had derm appointments 4 times a year for three years and twice a year since. My derm at Health Partners Riverside Clinic suggested I see an Oncologist. I did for a couple of times and basically he just felt my lymph nodes. He cut me loose after a couple of visits. Hope your incision calms down and things get back to some kind of normal for you.
Hang in there check your own nodes.
Mike N (also in Minnesota)
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- February 6, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Thank you, great information!
Janner, I had read somewhere about an annual chest x-ray, so I will talk to my PCP about that. I will also learn how to check my lymph basin.
Jimmy B., I am a patient at the University of MN because I have autoimmune skin blistering disease (pemphigoid and pemphigus), so the next time I am seen for that, I will ask about their melanoma clinic, as I'm sure it's the same doctors.
Kelli, my SNB incision is a mess, but its because I am rejecting the internal dissolvable sutures on the end that was tied off. It's inflammed with a lump under it. If you are having pain down your leg, that sounds like it could be infected, so its good you are going in tomorrow.
Thanks again, I really appreciate all the information – Paula
-
- February 6, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Thank you, great information!
Janner, I had read somewhere about an annual chest x-ray, so I will talk to my PCP about that. I will also learn how to check my lymph basin.
Jimmy B., I am a patient at the University of MN because I have autoimmune skin blistering disease (pemphigoid and pemphigus), so the next time I am seen for that, I will ask about their melanoma clinic, as I'm sure it's the same doctors.
Kelli, my SNB incision is a mess, but its because I am rejecting the internal dissolvable sutures on the end that was tied off. It's inflammed with a lump under it. If you are having pain down your leg, that sounds like it could be infected, so its good you are going in tomorrow.
Thanks again, I really appreciate all the information – Paula
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