Diagnosed with melanoma
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Diagnosed with melanoma

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Diagnosed with melanoma

  • Post
    • November 8, 2016 at 12:49 pm
    wayward
    Participant

      My wife had noticed an abnomal spot on my back and asked me to goto the doctor I went to my GP doctor and she referred me to a dermatologist. The dermatologist did a biopsy and sent it to the lab and the results was that they found what thay called suspicious cells that could be precancerous. The dermatologist cut out that area along with a margin as a precaution. When they sent that to the lab the results was what he called stage 2 inside melanoma. He described the thickness as three sheets of paper and I'm not sure what that translates to in thickness. He said what happened to me was rare but does happen sometimes. He cut a larger area for a wider margin and the lab results was clear. I did have him do a full body scan and he did a bioposy of a mole but haven't got got the results yet. I will get the stiches out in a few days. I have a follow up every six months for the next two years at least.

      The initial diagnosis was very scary but I do feel much better now.

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        • November 8, 2016 at 2:14 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          First off, ask for a copy of your pathology reports.  It is likely it is Clark's Level II, not stage II.  Those terms are often confused but mean two different things.  Clark's Level is a somewhat outdated and subjective term but indicates the level of skin invaded by the melanoma.  Stage II is a much thicker lesion and the derm would most likely have suggested testing the lymph nodes for spread before doing the second wide excision.  (That typically isn't done for very small lesions – stage 1 lesions as it appears yours might be).  It sounds like the original biopsy was just a partial biopsy?  It didn't get the entire lesion?  Then when they went back for more, they found a more complete portion of the lesion that indicated it was melanoma.  Again, please get a copy of your pathology reports so you can understand the correct characteristics of your lesion.   Ask your derm again for clarification (Breslow depth and stage) or post your reports here.

          • November 8, 2016 at 2:14 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            First off, ask for a copy of your pathology reports.  It is likely it is Clark's Level II, not stage II.  Those terms are often confused but mean two different things.  Clark's Level is a somewhat outdated and subjective term but indicates the level of skin invaded by the melanoma.  Stage II is a much thicker lesion and the derm would most likely have suggested testing the lymph nodes for spread before doing the second wide excision.  (That typically isn't done for very small lesions – stage 1 lesions as it appears yours might be).  It sounds like the original biopsy was just a partial biopsy?  It didn't get the entire lesion?  Then when they went back for more, they found a more complete portion of the lesion that indicated it was melanoma.  Again, please get a copy of your pathology reports so you can understand the correct characteristics of your lesion.   Ask your derm again for clarification (Breslow depth and stage) or post your reports here.

              • November 11, 2016 at 1:25 am
              wayward
              Participant

                Thanks Janner, I will ask the next time I see the Dr. For an update The last biopsy they took of that mole indicated a basal carcanoma so the Dr wants to excise that too. I have an appiontment for that the first part of December.

                • November 11, 2016 at 1:25 am
                wayward
                Participant

                  Thanks Janner, I will ask the next time I see the Dr. For an update The last biopsy they took of that mole indicated a basal carcanoma so the Dr wants to excise that too. I have an appiontment for that the first part of December.

                  • May 11, 2017 at 11:06 am
                  wayward
                  Participant

                    Here is an update on my condition. I had my 6 month follow up lat week and the Dermatologist did a body scan and didn't find anything else. I'm continuing to self monitor and using sunscreen much more than I have done in the past.

                    • November 11, 2016 at 1:25 am
                    wayward
                    Participant

                      Thanks Janner, I will ask the next time I see the Dr. For an update The last biopsy they took of that mole indicated a basal carcanoma so the Dr wants to excise that too. I have an appiontment for that the first part of December.

                    • November 8, 2016 at 2:14 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      First off, ask for a copy of your pathology reports.  It is likely it is Clark's Level II, not stage II.  Those terms are often confused but mean two different things.  Clark's Level is a somewhat outdated and subjective term but indicates the level of skin invaded by the melanoma.  Stage II is a much thicker lesion and the derm would most likely have suggested testing the lymph nodes for spread before doing the second wide excision.  (That typically isn't done for very small lesions – stage 1 lesions as it appears yours might be).  It sounds like the original biopsy was just a partial biopsy?  It didn't get the entire lesion?  Then when they went back for more, they found a more complete portion of the lesion that indicated it was melanoma.  Again, please get a copy of your pathology reports so you can understand the correct characteristics of your lesion.   Ask your derm again for clarification (Breslow depth and stage) or post your reports here.

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