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confused

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › confused

  • Post
    • December 30, 2017 at 3:20 pm
    abeluta
    Participant

      what is the difference between melanoma in situ and stage 1a? In situ cancer cells are only in the epidermis and stage 1a cancer cells have entered the dermis? Is there a radial step 1a? or radial growth is only in situ?

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        • December 30, 2017 at 4:48 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          In most cases, radial growth is only in situ and vertical growth is stage 1a.  However, there has been some more recent research showing that there are some lesions that can invade the dermis but still be in a radial growth phase.  All lesions with radial growth (and no vertical growth phase) share a common fantastic prognosis. 

            • December 30, 2017 at 7:48 pm
            spiderman
            Participant

              That was exactly my case. I questioned how that could be at such a substantial depth (mine was .92 mm) but was assured that there was no vertical growth phase. And that was from a Melanoma center dermatopathologist so I have to trust it as being accurate.

            • December 30, 2017 at 6:42 pm
            abeluta
            Participant

              thank you. I still have a question: in stage 1a cancer cells invade their dermis or are they in the epidermis?

                • December 30, 2017 at 9:32 pm
                ed williams
                Participant

                  Here you go Anon, one of the best explainations of path reports that I have come across. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wmeyNjFKQw

                  • December 30, 2017 at 11:34 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    In situ, by definition, is confined to the epidermis.  Stage 0.  Anything else will have a depth into the dermis and be stage 1 or higher.

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