Two excisions for melanoma in situ?
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Two excisions for melanoma in situ?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Two excisions for melanoma in situ?

  • Post
    • October 7, 2014 at 8:02 pm
    Bulldogs81
    Participant

      On 9/16 I had a mole on my forearm. On 9/24 my derm called and said it was melanoma in situ. She said that she sent it to the university of Chicago for a second opinion, who agreed it was in situ. She scheduled me for an appt for a wle the following Monday 9/29. I went, and the surgeon seemed to have taken a big chunk of my arm out. The scar is about 3 inches long and looks like skin is drooping inward.

       

      Anyhow, a nurse from the surgeons office called today with the results. She said that the results came back today from wle and that it looks like they are going to have to a second excision. I was at the grocery store and caught off guard, because I was not expecting bad news and was so shocked that I did not ask a lot of questions. They wanted me to come in this week for second surgery, which is not possible for me so I go next monday. 

      I called my derm so she could explain it to me and am waiting for a call back. I am so confused. Does this type of thing normally happen? Or does it mean the original diagnosis of in situ was incorrect? 

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 7, 2014 at 8:16 pm
        hyb222
        Participant

          I have heard that this happens when the margins don't come back clean. As in, they didn't get it all with the first excision. I just had my first WLE and was very worried I would have to go back for another. Praying they get it all this next time.

            • October 7, 2014 at 8:51 pm
            Bulldogs81
            Participant

              Thank you:) I was so confident that the wle removed it. Hoping that the second time around has better results. 

              • October 7, 2014 at 8:51 pm
              Bulldogs81
              Participant

                Thank you:) I was so confident that the wle removed it. Hoping that the second time around has better results. 

                • October 7, 2014 at 8:51 pm
                Bulldogs81
                Participant

                  Thank you:) I was so confident that the wle removed it. Hoping that the second time around has better results. 

                • October 7, 2014 at 8:16 pm
                hyb222
                Participant

                  I have heard that this happens when the margins don't come back clean. As in, they didn't get it all with the first excision. I just had my first WLE and was very worried I would have to go back for another. Praying they get it all this next time.

                  • October 7, 2014 at 8:16 pm
                  hyb222
                  Participant

                    I have heard that this happens when the margins don't come back clean. As in, they didn't get it all with the first excision. I just had my first WLE and was very worried I would have to go back for another. Praying they get it all this next time.

                    • October 7, 2014 at 10:45 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      It happens.  They are looking for at least 5mm clear margins, and if the WLE doesn't achieve that, they will go back and take more.  It sucks, but much better to remove more now than have it come back later in a worse stage!

                      • October 7, 2014 at 10:45 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        It happens.  They are looking for at least 5mm clear margins, and if the WLE doesn't achieve that, they will go back and take more.  It sucks, but much better to remove more now than have it come back later in a worse stage!

                        • October 7, 2014 at 10:45 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          It happens.  They are looking for at least 5mm clear margins, and if the WLE doesn't achieve that, they will go back and take more.  It sucks, but much better to remove more now than have it come back later in a worse stage!

                          • October 8, 2014 at 9:14 am
                          Carole K
                          Participant

                            I just wanted to say I am sending you big hugs and positive thoughts.  I am sure everythign will be fine. Hang in ..  Be glad you caught it..  STAY VIGILANT..  

                            Love and Light

                            Carole

                             

                            • October 8, 2014 at 9:14 am
                            Carole K
                            Participant

                              I just wanted to say I am sending you big hugs and positive thoughts.  I am sure everythign will be fine. Hang in ..  Be glad you caught it..  STAY VIGILANT..  

                              Love and Light

                              Carole

                               

                              • October 8, 2014 at 9:14 am
                              Carole K
                              Participant

                                I just wanted to say I am sending you big hugs and positive thoughts.  I am sure everythign will be fine. Hang in ..  Be glad you caught it..  STAY VIGILANT..  

                                Love and Light

                                Carole

                                 

                                • October 8, 2014 at 11:38 am
                                Twistermom3
                                Participant

                                  Just wanted to share that I also have had to go through two excisions for in situ and in my case it was because they didn't get clean margins. My derm. said they have guidelines, but sometimes they need to slice a bit more. No fun, but worth it.

                                  • October 8, 2014 at 11:38 am
                                  Twistermom3
                                  Participant

                                    Just wanted to share that I also have had to go through two excisions for in situ and in my case it was because they didn't get clean margins. My derm. said they have guidelines, but sometimes they need to slice a bit more. No fun, but worth it.

                                      • October 14, 2014 at 12:11 am
                                      rman222
                                      Participant

                                        Hi,

                                        Also sharing that the same happened to me.  After the original Wide Area Exicision the pathologists were not comfortable with the margins.  So in my case they did a subsequent Open Mohs  (nicknamed Slow Mohs) procedure.  That involved cutting more out, but keeping the wound open for the week it took to get the pathology report back.  It came back with acceptable margins this time, so they sewed me back up.

                                        Definitely don't freak out about it, and as noted above, definitely worth it to sleep better that they got it all.

                                         

                                        • October 14, 2014 at 12:11 am
                                        rman222
                                        Participant

                                          Hi,

                                          Also sharing that the same happened to me.  After the original Wide Area Exicision the pathologists were not comfortable with the margins.  So in my case they did a subsequent Open Mohs  (nicknamed Slow Mohs) procedure.  That involved cutting more out, but keeping the wound open for the week it took to get the pathology report back.  It came back with acceptable margins this time, so they sewed me back up.

                                          Definitely don't freak out about it, and as noted above, definitely worth it to sleep better that they got it all.

                                           

                                          • October 14, 2014 at 12:11 am
                                          rman222
                                          Participant

                                            Hi,

                                            Also sharing that the same happened to me.  After the original Wide Area Exicision the pathologists were not comfortable with the margins.  So in my case they did a subsequent Open Mohs  (nicknamed Slow Mohs) procedure.  That involved cutting more out, but keeping the wound open for the week it took to get the pathology report back.  It came back with acceptable margins this time, so they sewed me back up.

                                            Definitely don't freak out about it, and as noted above, definitely worth it to sleep better that they got it all.

                                             

                                          • October 8, 2014 at 11:38 am
                                          Twistermom3
                                          Participant

                                            Just wanted to share that I also have had to go through two excisions for in situ and in my case it was because they didn't get clean margins. My derm. said they have guidelines, but sometimes they need to slice a bit more. No fun, but worth it.

                                        Viewing 11 reply threads

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