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Are scans + biopsy necessary early stage
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Are scans + biopsy necessary early stage

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Are scans + biopsy necessary early stage

  • Post
    • February 26, 2019 at 12:39 pm
    MLD1973
    Participant

      Hello all,

      As you know I am struggling with recently being diagnosed with Stage 1a, breslow of .58mm, no ulceration and a 1<mitric.  I am awaiting a date for the WLE to be performed.

      Should I request a SLNB and a MRI scan after the biopsy to give me piece of mind that I have checked all I can.

      I am really scared at the moment, and we all look for answers to comfort ourseleves. 

      Thank you

       

      Mandy

       

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    • Replies
        • February 26, 2019 at 2:47 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

          Hi Mandy, there are some pretty established norms for thin melanoma's as far as next steps. The data for the staging is solid and based on thousands of patients which the oncology community used to developed standards. If you want to do something that is outside of the standards then you will face two issues, an insurance company that won't approve procedures even if you could convince an oncologist to order them. Stage 1a has a 99% survial at 5 years and 98% survival at 10 years based on the last staging document published last year. So, a question to ask yourself is should you do surgery with the risk of lymphadema and nerve damage to look for something that only will happen in around 1% of the population. A good idea would be to seek a cancer experts(psychologist) for some council to help you process your 1a diagnosis. Best Wishes!!!Ed 

            • February 26, 2019 at 3:26 pm
            MLD1973
            Participant

              Thank you Ed, just needed that pep talk.  It feels very surreal and on reading other experiences which vary greatly it can be a little daunting which way to turn. M x

            • February 26, 2019 at 5:30 pm
            Linny
            Participant

              Look at it this way: you have, at minimum, a 98% chance of never having to deal with melanoma again. Any time you feel a pang of fear, all you need to do is remind yourself of that. It should help with the anxiety. 🙂

                • February 26, 2019 at 5:56 pm
                MLD1973
                Participant

                  Thank you Linny x

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