Just diagnosed with Melanoma and feeling lost
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Just diagnosed with Melanoma and feeling lost

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Just diagnosed with Melanoma and feeling lost

  • Post
    • December 11, 2017 at 11:31 pm
    Langolier
    Participant

      I was just diagnosed with Melanoma and I’m completly lost as to how bad it is and how worried I should be, the dermatologist seems to think that it should be ok but he nevertheless has referred me to Cedars Cancer Clinic in Montreal so that more can be removed. This is the biopsy result:

      -malignant melanoma, superficial spreading type

      -cell type:epitheloid

      -depth of invasion (breslows) 0.8mm

      -clarks level II

      -growth phase: radial phase

      -ulceration:not identified

      -dermal mitotic index:insufficient invasive component for evaluation

      – regression:not identified

      – angiolymphatic invasion:not identified

      -perineural invasion:not identified

      -pertumoral lymphocytic reaction:non brisk

      -microsatellitosis:not identified

      -pathologic stage (ajcc, 2010): pT1a

      -resection margins: free(1mm from the closest peripheral margin)

       

      Any help in deciphering and helping me understand what is going on I would appreciate it. The dermotologist mentioned the referred surgeon will remove more area and possibly a lymp node biopsy. Thanks.

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    • Replies
        • December 12, 2017 at 12:14 am
        ed williams
        Participant

          Here are a couple of links that explain things pretty good for new patients at the early stages of melanoma. Hope they are helpful, feel free to ask more questions!!! best wishes!!!Ed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrW4UdkCu8I      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_9nMu5Yb7A

            • December 12, 2017 at 12:38 am
            GreenWally
            Participant

              Although Melanoma is very scary and unpredictable at times.  I think based on your pathology, the prognosis is excellent.  Good luck in your melanoma journey.

              • December 12, 2017 at 12:53 am
              Langolier
              Participant

                Thanks, I guess your assessment of my pathology report is positive, I can’t really understand it very well

                • December 12, 2017 at 12:51 am
                Langolier
                Participant

                  Thanks fr the resource

                  • December 12, 2017 at 12:57 am
                  ed williams
                  Participant

                    Pay attention to depth, mitosis rate and ulceration in the videos. It is never fun to find out that you have cancer, educate yourself to your situation so that you can ask good questions to the surgeon!!!

                  • December 12, 2017 at 3:06 am
                  casagrayson
                  Participant

                    Based on this report, you have a very superficial melanoma.  It will require a Wide Local Excision (WLE) which will be a fairly large area to make sure that all margins are clear.  The depth is right at the edge of needing a Sentinel Node Biopsy (some doctors say anything over 0.75mm, some say 1.00mm).  If you and your doctor determine that a SNL is warranted, that will be done right before the WLE.  

                    More than likely, you will get the WLE excision, your melanoma will be gone and you will be considered cancer-free, and you will never have to deal with this again!!

                      • December 12, 2017 at 4:02 pm
                      Langolier
                      Participant

                        Thanks very much fir the interpretation of the report, any idea what if any repercussions there are for a lymph node biopsy? Does it change ones life somehow?

                      • December 12, 2017 at 6:44 pm
                      MelanomaMike
                      Participant

                        Langolier, welcome to yer new family, once you get over the fear, the "What If's", the whole 9 yards of doc visits, youll get in yer groove, you will put yer boots on & fight this crap {Melanoma bug} and you will win! you may turn out to be an easy battle, i mean, if you are catching it early, thats when one can have better results with surgery alone..Yer NOT ALONE! always check in here at MRF there are smart folks here who know our shared cancer & they will help! good luck Langolier, check out my bio to learn my own situation….Mike

                          • December 13, 2017 at 3:29 am
                          Langolier
                          Participant

                            Thanks for the support

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