HELP : Surgical Pathology Report …..please help to translate..

I can try… I am sure others can provide more clinical answers, but the bottom line is they took out some lymph nodes that tested positive for melanoma. This puts you at stage 3. For me, the next step was to determine extent of disease so that meant scans – full body PET/CT and brain MRI. If they come back negative, which is what you would hope, then you remain stage 3. Stage 3 treatment options are limited and you could explore clinical trials if you feel that you must do something. You could also watch with routine scans and then take action if disease progresses.

Key thing here is to make sure you are being seen by a melanoma specialist. You would not get radiation or immunotherapy at stage 3 unless you are part of a clinical trial.

Although no one wants to be stage 4, we at least have some very promising treatment options available to us that were not there even just a few years ago. Stay positive and keep us posted.

Kevin

I can try… I am sure others can provide more clinical answers, but the bottom line is they took out some lymph nodes that tested positive for melanoma. This puts you at stage 3. For me, the next step was to determine extent of disease so that meant scans – full body PET/CT and brain MRI. If they come back negative, which is what you would hope, then you remain stage 3. Stage 3 treatment options are limited and you could explore clinical trials if you feel that you must do something. You could also watch with routine scans and then take action if disease progresses.

Key thing here is to make sure you are being seen by a melanoma specialist. You would not get radiation or immunotherapy at stage 3 unless you are part of a clinical trial.

Although no one wants to be stage 4, we at least have some very promising treatment options available to us that were not there even just a few years ago. Stay positive and keep us posted.

Kevin

I can try… I am sure others can provide more clinical answers, but the bottom line is they took out some lymph nodes that tested positive for melanoma. This puts you at stage 3. For me, the next step was to determine extent of disease so that meant scans – full body PET/CT and brain MRI. If they come back negative, which is what you would hope, then you remain stage 3. Stage 3 treatment options are limited and you could explore clinical trials if you feel that you must do something. You could also watch with routine scans and then take action if disease progresses.

Key thing here is to make sure you are being seen by a melanoma specialist. You would not get radiation or immunotherapy at stage 3 unless you are part of a clinical trial.

Although no one wants to be stage 4, we at least have some very promising treatment options available to us that were not there even just a few years ago. Stay positive and keep us posted.

Kevin

There is nothing much interesting to dissect in this pathology report.  Both lymph basins had melanoma but the right side had matted nodes which appears to put you at stage 3C.   The BRAF testing would not be shown on a pathology report, it is a separate genetic test done for possible future treatments.  Your doctor would have to give you that information separately.  The BRAF mutation gives you additional treatment options for stage IV.  At stage 3C, since all the melanoma appears to be removed, your treatment options may be limited unless you can find a clinical trial.  You'll know more after the tumor boards recommendation. 

Your doc may not be trying to be vague, but if you aren't asking questions – he may think you understand.  Do you have someone with you at the appointments?  Write questions down so you can make sure you get all of them answered?  Are you seeing a melanoma specialist? 

There is nothing much interesting to dissect in this pathology report.  Both lymph basins had melanoma but the right side had matted nodes which appears to put you at stage 3C.   The BRAF testing would not be shown on a pathology report, it is a separate genetic test done for possible future treatments.  Your doctor would have to give you that information separately.  The BRAF mutation gives you additional treatment options for stage IV.  At stage 3C, since all the melanoma appears to be removed, your treatment options may be limited unless you can find a clinical trial.  You'll know more after the tumor boards recommendation. 

Your doc may not be trying to be vague, but if you aren't asking questions – he may think you understand.  Do you have someone with you at the appointments?  Write questions down so you can make sure you get all of them answered?  Are you seeing a melanoma specialist? 

There is nothing much interesting to dissect in this pathology report.  Both lymph basins had melanoma but the right side had matted nodes which appears to put you at stage 3C.   The BRAF testing would not be shown on a pathology report, it is a separate genetic test done for possible future treatments.  Your doctor would have to give you that information separately.  The BRAF mutation gives you additional treatment options for stage IV.  At stage 3C, since all the melanoma appears to be removed, your treatment options may be limited unless you can find a clinical trial.  You'll know more after the tumor boards recommendation. 

Your doc may not be trying to be vague, but if you aren't asking questions – he may think you understand.  Do you have someone with you at the appointments?  Write questions down so you can make sure you get all of them answered?  Are you seeing a melanoma specialist?