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Consultation after melanoma diagnoses
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Consultation after melanoma diagnoses

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Consultation after melanoma diagnoses

  • Post
    • February 27, 2014 at 2:33 pm
    sunshinlilyrose
    Participant

      Hi all, so my question is this… I have my first appt since my diagnoses (my pathology report I previously posted) and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what I should ask or discuss. I recently read a book and it said to insist upon a "punch" test? Any info will be greatly appreciated …. I'm glad to finally be going to appt but terrified of what I may find out…..

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    • Replies
        • February 27, 2014 at 3:08 pm
        JC
        Participant

          With a 0.4mm level II, you could ask about what kind of follow up you should do after WLE, you could ask about 2nd opinion on pathology (never a bad idea)

          • February 27, 2014 at 3:08 pm
          JC
          Participant

            With a 0.4mm level II, you could ask about what kind of follow up you should do after WLE, you could ask about 2nd opinion on pathology (never a bad idea)

            • February 27, 2014 at 3:08 pm
            JC
            Participant

              With a 0.4mm level II, you could ask about what kind of follow up you should do after WLE, you could ask about 2nd opinion on pathology (never a bad idea)

              • February 27, 2014 at 4:35 pm
              Bubbles
              Participant

                Glad you are finally getting your appointment.  "Punch" merely refers to a method of collecting material from the lesion for biopsy which you have already had.  Like other responders mentioned on your prior post….the main thing to address now is how and when the doc thinks you should have your Wide Local Excision (WLE)…that's when they take additional tissue from the edges that are (or had been prior to biopsy) around the lesion to make sure they have all the lesion and leave you with "clear margins".  I would also ask whether or not they think you need to have sentinel lymph nodes (the ones that are nearest your lesion) checked and/or removed.  If they do think you need to address those….the sentinel lymph nodes should be tested BEFORE the wide excision.  There is some controversy as to whether or not thin, nonivasive melanoma lesions need to have the lymph nodes checked.  So, talk to your doc about it with your specific pathology report in mind.

                Wishing you the best.  Celeste

                • February 27, 2014 at 4:35 pm
                Bubbles
                Participant

                  Glad you are finally getting your appointment.  "Punch" merely refers to a method of collecting material from the lesion for biopsy which you have already had.  Like other responders mentioned on your prior post….the main thing to address now is how and when the doc thinks you should have your Wide Local Excision (WLE)…that's when they take additional tissue from the edges that are (or had been prior to biopsy) around the lesion to make sure they have all the lesion and leave you with "clear margins".  I would also ask whether or not they think you need to have sentinel lymph nodes (the ones that are nearest your lesion) checked and/or removed.  If they do think you need to address those….the sentinel lymph nodes should be tested BEFORE the wide excision.  There is some controversy as to whether or not thin, nonivasive melanoma lesions need to have the lymph nodes checked.  So, talk to your doc about it with your specific pathology report in mind.

                  Wishing you the best.  Celeste

                  • February 27, 2014 at 4:35 pm
                  Bubbles
                  Participant

                    Glad you are finally getting your appointment.  "Punch" merely refers to a method of collecting material from the lesion for biopsy which you have already had.  Like other responders mentioned on your prior post….the main thing to address now is how and when the doc thinks you should have your Wide Local Excision (WLE)…that's when they take additional tissue from the edges that are (or had been prior to biopsy) around the lesion to make sure they have all the lesion and leave you with "clear margins".  I would also ask whether or not they think you need to have sentinel lymph nodes (the ones that are nearest your lesion) checked and/or removed.  If they do think you need to address those….the sentinel lymph nodes should be tested BEFORE the wide excision.  There is some controversy as to whether or not thin, nonivasive melanoma lesions need to have the lymph nodes checked.  So, talk to your doc about it with your specific pathology report in mind.

                    Wishing you the best.  Celeste

                      • February 28, 2014 at 3:57 pm
                      JC
                      Participant

                        Most of the discussion here seems to be Stage III/IV – you might get more targeted advice if you post on the Stage I forum of Melanoma International Foundation (it's split up there by stage)

                        • February 28, 2014 at 3:57 pm
                        JC
                        Participant

                          Most of the discussion here seems to be Stage III/IV – you might get more targeted advice if you post on the Stage I forum of Melanoma International Foundation (it's split up there by stage)

                          • February 28, 2014 at 3:57 pm
                          JC
                          Participant

                            Most of the discussion here seems to be Stage III/IV – you might get more targeted advice if you post on the Stage I forum of Melanoma International Foundation (it's split up there by stage)

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