› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Melanoma on my back; surgeon said probably stage 1, superficial
- This topic has 33 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 2 months ago by
chalknpens.
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- July 1, 2012 at 11:42 pm
Hello,
I'm brand new to the site and to melanoma. My faher had basal and squamous cell cancers, and often had them removed without surgery; I think they froze them off. He did have Moh surgery one day on one of the sites. He went back and forth to the surgeon two or three times that day (my husband was his driver.)
Hello,
I'm brand new to the site and to melanoma. My faher had basal and squamous cell cancers, and often had them removed without surgery; I think they froze them off. He did have Moh surgery one day on one of the sites. He went back and forth to the surgeon two or three times that day (my husband was his driver.)
I'm here because i don't really know what to expect. I had what the skin surgeon called "slow Moh" surgery, over a period of about eight days. He would cut, send the cuttting out for biopsy, cauterize the wound and have me come back two days later for results and more cutting, until finally the fourth pathology report came back with clear margins. He then sutured the round wound (about the diameter of a coffee cup) in a Z shaped pattern of about forty or fifty stitches in all. This all sounds rather dramatic, as i had never had stitches in my life (and I am in my sixties now.) But it was relatively painfree, and I was very calm (I have antidepressant medication.) I also had some small basal sites 'excised' during the month of June. Final stitches come out this week.
I have never had a 'full body scan' for further sites, but anticipate that in August when i see the dermatologist again, rather than the surgeon. I have the risk factors, having spent my childhood at the beach, and having fair skin, freckles, small flat moles, blue eyes, and light hair. But I have stayed away from the sun for the past thirty years or so, because I am heat intolerant. I have a diagnosis of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Heat and strong sunlight are my enemies, and have been for decades.
I am afraid of the August appointment. I am afraid that they will find more, and cut more, and biopsy more and cut more again. I am already being treated for MS-related depression. I don't want this to go on and on and on. But what is the likelihood that it will not?
- Replies
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- July 2, 2012 at 12:46 am
Welcome to our board. Only 8% have more than 1 melanoma however because of our fears many of us have many moles biopsied. One of the best thing you can do is to take pictures of every mole on your body so they can be compared to see if they change. My derm has taken these and he compares them everytime. I also have a copy of every photo so I can compare also.
However, by having a melanoma excised by MOHS they cannot give you a staging because they don't know the depth of the original. If there is a biopsy in the future have the Dr do either an excisional or a punch biopsy. Could your Doctor give you any idea of the depth of your primary?
We do have a few on the board who also have MS so don't feel alone. Surgery itself does not scare me. I'm more afraid when they tell me that they can't do it.
Good luck,
Linda
Stage IV
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- July 2, 2012 at 12:46 am
Welcome to our board. Only 8% have more than 1 melanoma however because of our fears many of us have many moles biopsied. One of the best thing you can do is to take pictures of every mole on your body so they can be compared to see if they change. My derm has taken these and he compares them everytime. I also have a copy of every photo so I can compare also.
However, by having a melanoma excised by MOHS they cannot give you a staging because they don't know the depth of the original. If there is a biopsy in the future have the Dr do either an excisional or a punch biopsy. Could your Doctor give you any idea of the depth of your primary?
We do have a few on the board who also have MS so don't feel alone. Surgery itself does not scare me. I'm more afraid when they tell me that they can't do it.
Good luck,
Linda
Stage IV
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- July 2, 2012 at 1:43 am
Hello Linda,
Thanks for responding here. The melanoma on my back is not a mole or nodule, but rather an area of red that looks very much like a light rash. the first dermatologist who saw it didn't consider it a skin cancer site. The second, local dermatologist was curious about it and biopsied almost as an afterthought. The two moles came back as basal but the red area on my back was melanoma. The margins were not very clear, and so the pathology kept coming back say malignant melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement, widespread throughout. It was a long week of continuing surgery. I must say that there was no pain other than the initial numbing needles. Also no pain with the sutures.
I appreciate your citing the 8% reoccurence. That is reassuring to keep in mind. I will let you know what happens in the next month or so…
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- July 2, 2012 at 1:43 am
Hello Linda,
Thanks for responding here. The melanoma on my back is not a mole or nodule, but rather an area of red that looks very much like a light rash. the first dermatologist who saw it didn't consider it a skin cancer site. The second, local dermatologist was curious about it and biopsied almost as an afterthought. The two moles came back as basal but the red area on my back was melanoma. The margins were not very clear, and so the pathology kept coming back say malignant melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement, widespread throughout. It was a long week of continuing surgery. I must say that there was no pain other than the initial numbing needles. Also no pain with the sutures.
I appreciate your citing the 8% reoccurence. That is reassuring to keep in mind. I will let you know what happens in the next month or so…
-
- July 2, 2012 at 1:43 am
Hello Linda,
Thanks for responding here. The melanoma on my back is not a mole or nodule, but rather an area of red that looks very much like a light rash. the first dermatologist who saw it didn't consider it a skin cancer site. The second, local dermatologist was curious about it and biopsied almost as an afterthought. The two moles came back as basal but the red area on my back was melanoma. The margins were not very clear, and so the pathology kept coming back say malignant melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement, widespread throughout. It was a long week of continuing surgery. I must say that there was no pain other than the initial numbing needles. Also no pain with the sutures.
I appreciate your citing the 8% reoccurence. That is reassuring to keep in mind. I will let you know what happens in the next month or so…
-
- July 2, 2012 at 12:46 am
Welcome to our board. Only 8% have more than 1 melanoma however because of our fears many of us have many moles biopsied. One of the best thing you can do is to take pictures of every mole on your body so they can be compared to see if they change. My derm has taken these and he compares them everytime. I also have a copy of every photo so I can compare also.
However, by having a melanoma excised by MOHS they cannot give you a staging because they don't know the depth of the original. If there is a biopsy in the future have the Dr do either an excisional or a punch biopsy. Could your Doctor give you any idea of the depth of your primary?
We do have a few on the board who also have MS so don't feel alone. Surgery itself does not scare me. I'm more afraid when they tell me that they can't do it.
Good luck,
Linda
Stage IV
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- July 2, 2012 at 2:57 am
I just wrote a response to you…sent it and it disappeared!
I am sorry you have to deal with this. Hopefully you have caught this very early. Many Stage 1 and 2 do whatever their Dr's tell them, get checkups much more often (which causes stress for each of us), and then realize that Worry fixes Nothing. That is when you pick up and continue living…and hope for no future problems.
The boards are always slow on the weekends, so maybe others will contact you soon. This is a great group of people.
Don't beat yourself up over the depression. Stay on your medicine and as you heal hopefully you will feel much stronger, mentally and physically. I think it is very common to be depressed with any health issues. We are facing the unknown which is scary. That is a large amount of stitches for anyone to have. But it will heal soon and hopefully you will not be bothered again.
Good luck. Keep us informed. I will keep you in my prayers for strength and health. Beth 3/B
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- July 2, 2012 at 2:57 am
I just wrote a response to you…sent it and it disappeared!
I am sorry you have to deal with this. Hopefully you have caught this very early. Many Stage 1 and 2 do whatever their Dr's tell them, get checkups much more often (which causes stress for each of us), and then realize that Worry fixes Nothing. That is when you pick up and continue living…and hope for no future problems.
The boards are always slow on the weekends, so maybe others will contact you soon. This is a great group of people.
Don't beat yourself up over the depression. Stay on your medicine and as you heal hopefully you will feel much stronger, mentally and physically. I think it is very common to be depressed with any health issues. We are facing the unknown which is scary. That is a large amount of stitches for anyone to have. But it will heal soon and hopefully you will not be bothered again.
Good luck. Keep us informed. I will keep you in my prayers for strength and health. Beth 3/B
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- July 2, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Computer gremlins … they are everywhere!
Thank you, Beth, for your response to my post. Yes, the antidepressant has done a good job of bringing me back to my old self, but this new diagnosis and experience is giving the med a run for the money! I will see the doctor who prescribes that in a week and will talk to him then if I am still feeling anxious about this.
I have also put in a call to Dana Farber to ask about their consultation services. Perhaps having their advice will help, too.
Stay cool, Beth, and be well.
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- July 2, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Computer gremlins … they are everywhere!
Thank you, Beth, for your response to my post. Yes, the antidepressant has done a good job of bringing me back to my old self, but this new diagnosis and experience is giving the med a run for the money! I will see the doctor who prescribes that in a week and will talk to him then if I am still feeling anxious about this.
I have also put in a call to Dana Farber to ask about their consultation services. Perhaps having their advice will help, too.
Stay cool, Beth, and be well.
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- July 5, 2012 at 3:43 am
My sutures have all been removed and all three sites are healing well. I will see the dermatologist next month, and the surgeon again in three months for follow up on these three sites (2 basal, 1 Melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement.)
I don't want to have a 'pity party' but I find I am increasingly depressed following these surgeries. My husband is my rock – he is very supportive and very honest in helping me to monitor my moods, as I have clinical depression related to brain lesions and multiple sclerosis.
My friends and family beyond my husband and children are totally unconcerned with what i've just been through … well over 50 sutures on my back, and another 15 to 20 each at the basal sites. I know I'm fortunate that they are not on my face or hands. I know that. They are unseen (I feel as though I am unseen.) I retired a year ago and feel that my friends at work have forgotten me as well.
Did anyone else go through these feelings? I'm thinking of asking my psychiatrist whether I need to accomodate this change in mood with an increase in medication? I will see him in a few weeks.
I'm really not looking for a 'pick yourself up by the bootstraps and count your blessings' response … I really need to hear from someone who remembers the first weeks after diagnosis and surgery.
Can you guide me? Is it reasonable to call my psychiatrist and let him know that I'm feeling sorry for myself and don't like to feel that?
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- July 5, 2012 at 3:43 am
My sutures have all been removed and all three sites are healing well. I will see the dermatologist next month, and the surgeon again in three months for follow up on these three sites (2 basal, 1 Melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement.)
I don't want to have a 'pity party' but I find I am increasingly depressed following these surgeries. My husband is my rock – he is very supportive and very honest in helping me to monitor my moods, as I have clinical depression related to brain lesions and multiple sclerosis.
My friends and family beyond my husband and children are totally unconcerned with what i've just been through … well over 50 sutures on my back, and another 15 to 20 each at the basal sites. I know I'm fortunate that they are not on my face or hands. I know that. They are unseen (I feel as though I am unseen.) I retired a year ago and feel that my friends at work have forgotten me as well.
Did anyone else go through these feelings? I'm thinking of asking my psychiatrist whether I need to accomodate this change in mood with an increase in medication? I will see him in a few weeks.
I'm really not looking for a 'pick yourself up by the bootstraps and count your blessings' response … I really need to hear from someone who remembers the first weeks after diagnosis and surgery.
Can you guide me? Is it reasonable to call my psychiatrist and let him know that I'm feeling sorry for myself and don't like to feel that?
-
- July 5, 2012 at 3:43 am
My sutures have all been removed and all three sites are healing well. I will see the dermatologist next month, and the surgeon again in three months for follow up on these three sites (2 basal, 1 Melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement.)
I don't want to have a 'pity party' but I find I am increasingly depressed following these surgeries. My husband is my rock – he is very supportive and very honest in helping me to monitor my moods, as I have clinical depression related to brain lesions and multiple sclerosis.
My friends and family beyond my husband and children are totally unconcerned with what i've just been through … well over 50 sutures on my back, and another 15 to 20 each at the basal sites. I know I'm fortunate that they are not on my face or hands. I know that. They are unseen (I feel as though I am unseen.) I retired a year ago and feel that my friends at work have forgotten me as well.
Did anyone else go through these feelings? I'm thinking of asking my psychiatrist whether I need to accomodate this change in mood with an increase in medication? I will see him in a few weeks.
I'm really not looking for a 'pick yourself up by the bootstraps and count your blessings' response … I really need to hear from someone who remembers the first weeks after diagnosis and surgery.
Can you guide me? Is it reasonable to call my psychiatrist and let him know that I'm feeling sorry for myself and don't like to feel that?
-
- July 2, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Computer gremlins … they are everywhere!
Thank you, Beth, for your response to my post. Yes, the antidepressant has done a good job of bringing me back to my old self, but this new diagnosis and experience is giving the med a run for the money! I will see the doctor who prescribes that in a week and will talk to him then if I am still feeling anxious about this.
I have also put in a call to Dana Farber to ask about their consultation services. Perhaps having their advice will help, too.
Stay cool, Beth, and be well.
-
- July 2, 2012 at 2:57 am
I just wrote a response to you…sent it and it disappeared!
I am sorry you have to deal with this. Hopefully you have caught this very early. Many Stage 1 and 2 do whatever their Dr's tell them, get checkups much more often (which causes stress for each of us), and then realize that Worry fixes Nothing. That is when you pick up and continue living…and hope for no future problems.
The boards are always slow on the weekends, so maybe others will contact you soon. This is a great group of people.
Don't beat yourself up over the depression. Stay on your medicine and as you heal hopefully you will feel much stronger, mentally and physically. I think it is very common to be depressed with any health issues. We are facing the unknown which is scary. That is a large amount of stitches for anyone to have. But it will heal soon and hopefully you will not be bothered again.
Good luck. Keep us informed. I will keep you in my prayers for strength and health. Beth 3/B
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- July 2, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Might help to talk to someone? http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org/index.php?page=findamatch
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- July 2, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Might help to talk to someone? http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org/index.php?page=findamatch
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Thank you for the site reference. I will use that if I don't hear from the Dana Farber link. Much appreciated!
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Thank you for the site reference. I will use that if I don't hear from the Dana Farber link. Much appreciated!
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Thank you for the site reference. I will use that if I don't hear from the Dana Farber link. Much appreciated!
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- July 2, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Might help to talk to someone? http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org/index.php?page=findamatch
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- July 3, 2012 at 3:58 am
I was glad to see the words in one of ypour responses:
"The second, local dermatologist was curious about it and biopsied almost as an afterthought. The two moles came back as basal but the red area on my back was melanoma. The margins were not very clear, and so the pathology kept coming back say malignant melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement, widespread throughout."
melanoma in situ
is Not normally a deadly, invasive melanoma and if properly identified should not cause problems in life after removal. Search on this board and you will see many posts about melanoma in situ.http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/melanoma-in-situ.aspx
What Is Melanoma In Situ?
Melanoma in situ comes from the Latin phrase "in situ," which means "in place." Melanoma in situ is cancer in the very early stages, when it affects only the top layer of the skin. At this point, the cancer has not spread deeper into the body. Cancer diagnosed at this early stage also means that it is less likely to recur or spread to other parts of the body than melanomas that are diagnosed at a later stage.Following Up on Melanoma in Situ
The good news? People who are diagnosed with melanoma in situ and receive early treatment have a great survival rate — 100 percent at 5 and 10 years. And everyone with melanoma in situ, including those diagnosed at an early stage, should check in with their doctors frequently to be certain that the cancer has not returned. Patients should have a complete physical and skin exam every six months for a year or two after their initial diagnosis, and typically once each year for several years after that."When melanoma is found early, it is easily cured with simple outpatient surgery," says Catherine Poole, president and co-founder of the Melanoma International Foundation. "When found in later stages, it may become life-threatening, and there are few effective therapies to treat metastasized melanoma."
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- July 3, 2012 at 3:58 am
I was glad to see the words in one of ypour responses:
"The second, local dermatologist was curious about it and biopsied almost as an afterthought. The two moles came back as basal but the red area on my back was melanoma. The margins were not very clear, and so the pathology kept coming back say malignant melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement, widespread throughout."
melanoma in situ
is Not normally a deadly, invasive melanoma and if properly identified should not cause problems in life after removal. Search on this board and you will see many posts about melanoma in situ.http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/melanoma-in-situ.aspx
What Is Melanoma In Situ?
Melanoma in situ comes from the Latin phrase "in situ," which means "in place." Melanoma in situ is cancer in the very early stages, when it affects only the top layer of the skin. At this point, the cancer has not spread deeper into the body. Cancer diagnosed at this early stage also means that it is less likely to recur or spread to other parts of the body than melanomas that are diagnosed at a later stage.Following Up on Melanoma in Situ
The good news? People who are diagnosed with melanoma in situ and receive early treatment have a great survival rate — 100 percent at 5 and 10 years. And everyone with melanoma in situ, including those diagnosed at an early stage, should check in with their doctors frequently to be certain that the cancer has not returned. Patients should have a complete physical and skin exam every six months for a year or two after their initial diagnosis, and typically once each year for several years after that."When melanoma is found early, it is easily cured with simple outpatient surgery," says Catherine Poole, president and co-founder of the Melanoma International Foundation. "When found in later stages, it may become life-threatening, and there are few effective therapies to treat metastasized melanoma."
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- July 3, 2012 at 3:58 am
I was glad to see the words in one of ypour responses:
"The second, local dermatologist was curious about it and biopsied almost as an afterthought. The two moles came back as basal but the red area on my back was melanoma. The margins were not very clear, and so the pathology kept coming back say malignant melanoma in situ with appendageal involvement, widespread throughout."
melanoma in situ
is Not normally a deadly, invasive melanoma and if properly identified should not cause problems in life after removal. Search on this board and you will see many posts about melanoma in situ.http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/melanoma-in-situ.aspx
What Is Melanoma In Situ?
Melanoma in situ comes from the Latin phrase "in situ," which means "in place." Melanoma in situ is cancer in the very early stages, when it affects only the top layer of the skin. At this point, the cancer has not spread deeper into the body. Cancer diagnosed at this early stage also means that it is less likely to recur or spread to other parts of the body than melanomas that are diagnosed at a later stage.Following Up on Melanoma in Situ
The good news? People who are diagnosed with melanoma in situ and receive early treatment have a great survival rate — 100 percent at 5 and 10 years. And everyone with melanoma in situ, including those diagnosed at an early stage, should check in with their doctors frequently to be certain that the cancer has not returned. Patients should have a complete physical and skin exam every six months for a year or two after their initial diagnosis, and typically once each year for several years after that."When melanoma is found early, it is easily cured with simple outpatient surgery," says Catherine Poole, president and co-founder of the Melanoma International Foundation. "When found in later stages, it may become life-threatening, and there are few effective therapies to treat metastasized melanoma."
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Thank you. It is helpful to know of links that others have recommended, rather than blindly searching the web for information. I saw the surgeon and asked him about 'in situ' and 'appendageal involvement. He told me that it was stage 1, at level II, and that while it involved the hair follicles which go into the second layer of dermis, it is confined to the cylindrical follicle and so behaves as stage 1 (I know I'm paraphrasing here, but that is the gist of what he said.)
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Thank you. It is helpful to know of links that others have recommended, rather than blindly searching the web for information. I saw the surgeon and asked him about 'in situ' and 'appendageal involvement. He told me that it was stage 1, at level II, and that while it involved the hair follicles which go into the second layer of dermis, it is confined to the cylindrical follicle and so behaves as stage 1 (I know I'm paraphrasing here, but that is the gist of what he said.)
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Thank you. It is helpful to know of links that others have recommended, rather than blindly searching the web for information. I saw the surgeon and asked him about 'in situ' and 'appendageal involvement. He told me that it was stage 1, at level II, and that while it involved the hair follicles which go into the second layer of dermis, it is confined to the cylindrical follicle and so behaves as stage 1 (I know I'm paraphrasing here, but that is the gist of what he said.)
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Very odd. So it was a large rash? Not a mole that was changing? Seems a bit odd to me. I'd probably try to get second opinion.
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Yes, a very light rash, not raised, with unclear borders. Others have told me that it is an unusual display of melanoma, and that I was fortunate to have doctors who were curious enough to biopsy the site.
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Yes, a very light rash, not raised, with unclear borders. Others have told me that it is an unusual display of melanoma, and that I was fortunate to have doctors who were curious enough to biopsy the site.
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- July 3, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Yes, a very light rash, not raised, with unclear borders. Others have told me that it is an unusual display of melanoma, and that I was fortunate to have doctors who were curious enough to biopsy the site.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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