› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Help understanding my pathology report
- This topic has 9 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by
cancersnewnormal.
- Post
-
- September 30, 2016 at 9:33 pm
I am a 23 year old white male with numerous freckles and moles. After a friend pointed out a very atypical mole on my calf, I went to a dermatologist for a biopsy. I was diagnosed with a melanoma In-situ, and was okay after my dermatologist explained the excellent prognosis. I have had my WLE with clear margins. I went to pick up a copy of my pathology report for my files, and noticed the diagnosis was an "irritated early evolving melanoma in Situ". I am a bit of a hypochondriac, and it worries me that I haven't seen this exact diagnosis with my google searches. When I went in for my WLE, the doctor assured me that it was in situ. Can anyone more knowledgeable than myself explain what the "irritated" component of the diagnosis means? The pathology reports last line reads "there is perivascular lymphocytic inflammation with melanophages". Thanks in advance for your help!
- Replies
-
-
- September 30, 2016 at 9:57 pm
I'm not a pathologist, nor working in the medical field….. but that last line appears to mean that there was pathological indication of your immune system's attempt to attack the spot/area. There were white blood cells in the area causing swelling.
As for the "irritated", your derm can probably best explain that one. Was it itchy or in any way otherwise literally "irritated"?
In situ is the best possible diagnosis for a melanoma diagnosis. Not that you ever want to hear a cancer diagnosis, but stage 0 means you owe your friend a drink for pointing it out at a most treatable stage. ; ) Keep up the regular skin checks, where there is one, there are sometimes more in the years to follow.
-
- September 30, 2016 at 9:57 pm
I'm not a pathologist, nor working in the medical field….. but that last line appears to mean that there was pathological indication of your immune system's attempt to attack the spot/area. There were white blood cells in the area causing swelling.
As for the "irritated", your derm can probably best explain that one. Was it itchy or in any way otherwise literally "irritated"?
In situ is the best possible diagnosis for a melanoma diagnosis. Not that you ever want to hear a cancer diagnosis, but stage 0 means you owe your friend a drink for pointing it out at a most treatable stage. ; ) Keep up the regular skin checks, where there is one, there are sometimes more in the years to follow.
-
- September 30, 2016 at 10:04 pm
Thanks for your reply! I wish I had never gotten my pathology report, as my hypochondria has taken over and I have been trying to understand pathological terms I am in no way qualified to interpret. Is it safe to say that the bottom line still remains that I am "cured" following my WLE? Already bought a bottle for my friend lol. And already scheduled all of my skin checks for the next two years, trying to stay proactive following this scare!
-
- September 30, 2016 at 10:04 pm
Thanks for your reply! I wish I had never gotten my pathology report, as my hypochondria has taken over and I have been trying to understand pathological terms I am in no way qualified to interpret. Is it safe to say that the bottom line still remains that I am "cured" following my WLE? Already bought a bottle for my friend lol. And already scheduled all of my skin checks for the next two years, trying to stay proactive following this scare!
-
- October 1, 2016 at 1:14 am
It sounds like you are well set to have very little concern. : ) I wish my 25 year old son was as proactive as you are being. That path report is nerve wracking. I recall going back to the doc's office for mine. I was further along than you on initial finding, and mine did sneak up on me just a little over 5 years later…. but having that original path report will… IF… IF you should ever need it, will come in handy for any future oncology visits.
Be diligent with the sunscreen and ENJOY life. That initial scare will taper off and comfort will settle in once again. Particularly knowing how well you are taking action to prevent anything from being discovered at more difficult to treat stages. : )
-
- October 1, 2016 at 1:14 am
It sounds like you are well set to have very little concern. : ) I wish my 25 year old son was as proactive as you are being. That path report is nerve wracking. I recall going back to the doc's office for mine. I was further along than you on initial finding, and mine did sneak up on me just a little over 5 years later…. but having that original path report will… IF… IF you should ever need it, will come in handy for any future oncology visits.
Be diligent with the sunscreen and ENJOY life. That initial scare will taper off and comfort will settle in once again. Particularly knowing how well you are taking action to prevent anything from being discovered at more difficult to treat stages. : )
-
- October 1, 2016 at 1:14 am
It sounds like you are well set to have very little concern. : ) I wish my 25 year old son was as proactive as you are being. That path report is nerve wracking. I recall going back to the doc's office for mine. I was further along than you on initial finding, and mine did sneak up on me just a little over 5 years later…. but having that original path report will… IF… IF you should ever need it, will come in handy for any future oncology visits.
Be diligent with the sunscreen and ENJOY life. That initial scare will taper off and comfort will settle in once again. Particularly knowing how well you are taking action to prevent anything from being discovered at more difficult to treat stages. : )
-
- September 30, 2016 at 10:04 pm
Thanks for your reply! I wish I had never gotten my pathology report, as my hypochondria has taken over and I have been trying to understand pathological terms I am in no way qualified to interpret. Is it safe to say that the bottom line still remains that I am "cured" following my WLE? Already bought a bottle for my friend lol. And already scheduled all of my skin checks for the next two years, trying to stay proactive following this scare!
-
- September 30, 2016 at 9:57 pm
I'm not a pathologist, nor working in the medical field….. but that last line appears to mean that there was pathological indication of your immune system's attempt to attack the spot/area. There were white blood cells in the area causing swelling.
As for the "irritated", your derm can probably best explain that one. Was it itchy or in any way otherwise literally "irritated"?
In situ is the best possible diagnosis for a melanoma diagnosis. Not that you ever want to hear a cancer diagnosis, but stage 0 means you owe your friend a drink for pointing it out at a most treatable stage. ; ) Keep up the regular skin checks, where there is one, there are sometimes more in the years to follow.
-
Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.