› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Melanoma removed but scattered abnormal cells still in tissue
- This topic has 16 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 3 months ago by
joensn.
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- June 13, 2011 at 5:02 pm
I had surgery on my upper left arm three weeks ago. I was diagnosed with Stage I Melanoma. It was very thin and did not meet the qualifications for checking the lymph nodes. The plastic surgeon cut me about 5 inches down the arm and all the way to the muscle, which I am sure is standard.
I had surgery on my upper left arm three weeks ago. I was diagnosed with Stage I Melanoma. It was very thin and did not meet the qualifications for checking the lymph nodes. The plastic surgeon cut me about 5 inches down the arm and all the way to the muscle, which I am sure is standard.
Two weeks later I saw the plastic surgeon for a check up on the incision. He stated to me that when the pathologist examined the tissue that was removed during surgery that there was a lot of atypical cells all through the tissue. That is was widely disbursed and he didn't think cutting it all out was really probably due to how much he would have to cut out. He stated if we did surgery i would need skin grafts. He stated it WAS NOT cancer but was atypical. He said he had talked with my derm and they had decided immunotherapy was the best idea at this point. I will be doing a topical immunotherapy for 5 days a week for 6 weeks.
Honestly, it all happened so fast that I didn't have time to even think about questions I might have. I studied up on the subject all weekend and have more question than answers. I do have a call into the plastic surgeon.
Should I be concerned? What could all this possible mean? I have had 6 atypical moles removed from my skin in the past. I am 34 and there is a history of melanoma in my direct family line. Can you please give me any ideas?
Thanks, Niki
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- June 13, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Hi, and welcome to the forum no-one wants to be a member of by choice.
Concerning the atypical cells, did the pathologist say they were mild, moderate or severe? That is how they are graded. It may be harder to determine this since there was also melanoma involved.
I do not mean to second guess a doctor, but perhaps you should get a second opinion with a cutaneous oncologist before continuing. Based on the severity of the atypical cells, it may not be a good idea to leave them in the area of the trauma from the biopsy. You may wish to discuss if leaving the atypical cells will increase the likely hood of melanoma due to the trauma of the biopsy. If you and the doctor both agree it is ok to leave the area alone and not further excise the atypical cells, you should watch the area closely.
Michael
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- June 13, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Hi, and welcome to the forum no-one wants to be a member of by choice.
Concerning the atypical cells, did the pathologist say they were mild, moderate or severe? That is how they are graded. It may be harder to determine this since there was also melanoma involved.
I do not mean to second guess a doctor, but perhaps you should get a second opinion with a cutaneous oncologist before continuing. Based on the severity of the atypical cells, it may not be a good idea to leave them in the area of the trauma from the biopsy. You may wish to discuss if leaving the atypical cells will increase the likely hood of melanoma due to the trauma of the biopsy. If you and the doctor both agree it is ok to leave the area alone and not further excise the atypical cells, you should watch the area closely.
Michael
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- June 14, 2011 at 1:12 am
Was not exactly sure. I thought perhaps both topical and something else as well.
He said he had talked with my derm and they had decided immunotherapy was the best idea at this point. I will be doing a topical immunotherapy for 5 days a week for 6 weeks.
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- June 14, 2011 at 11:41 am
The immunotherapy is called Zyclara. It is topical, the idea is to bring the "bad cells to the surface". The diagnosis of the cells is "atypical melanocytic proliferation". Apparently (and from some research I have done), this is a grey area. It's not good and not yet bad. The Dr. even told me there was no one way to treat my arm. He stated there was so much atypical cells in the tissue (not dysplasia nevi) that surgery would be horrific. I think the words he used were "we could cut until the cow's come home", and then discussed the skin graft.
The immunotherapy seems a great option, my concern is leaving all of this in my arm, near lymph nodes, plus just having melanoma removed. I will be seeing the derm on a regular three month basis.
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- June 14, 2011 at 11:41 am
The immunotherapy is called Zyclara. It is topical, the idea is to bring the "bad cells to the surface". The diagnosis of the cells is "atypical melanocytic proliferation". Apparently (and from some research I have done), this is a grey area. It's not good and not yet bad. The Dr. even told me there was no one way to treat my arm. He stated there was so much atypical cells in the tissue (not dysplasia nevi) that surgery would be horrific. I think the words he used were "we could cut until the cow's come home", and then discussed the skin graft.
The immunotherapy seems a great option, my concern is leaving all of this in my arm, near lymph nodes, plus just having melanoma removed. I will be seeing the derm on a regular three month basis.
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- June 14, 2011 at 11:41 am
The immunotherapy is called Zyclara. It is topical, the idea is to bring the "bad cells to the surface". The diagnosis of the cells is "atypical melanocytic proliferation". Apparently (and from some research I have done), this is a grey area. It's not good and not yet bad. The Dr. even told me there was no one way to treat my arm. He stated there was so much atypical cells in the tissue (not dysplasia nevi) that surgery would be horrific. I think the words he used were "we could cut until the cow's come home", and then discussed the skin graft.
The immunotherapy seems a great option, my concern is leaving all of this in my arm, near lymph nodes, plus just having melanoma removed. I will be seeing the derm on a regular three month basis.
-
- June 14, 2011 at 11:41 am
The immunotherapy is called Zyclara. It is topical, the idea is to bring the "bad cells to the surface". The diagnosis of the cells is "atypical melanocytic proliferation". Apparently (and from some research I have done), this is a grey area. It's not good and not yet bad. The Dr. even told me there was no one way to treat my arm. He stated there was so much atypical cells in the tissue (not dysplasia nevi) that surgery would be horrific. I think the words he used were "we could cut until the cow's come home", and then discussed the skin graft.
The immunotherapy seems a great option, my concern is leaving all of this in my arm, near lymph nodes, plus just having melanoma removed. I will be seeing the derm on a regular three month basis.
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- June 14, 2011 at 1:12 am
Was not exactly sure. I thought perhaps both topical and something else as well.
He said he had talked with my derm and they had decided immunotherapy was the best idea at this point. I will be doing a topical immunotherapy for 5 days a week for 6 weeks.
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- June 14, 2011 at 3:21 am
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- June 14, 2011 at 3:21 am
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- June 13, 2011 at 6:51 pm
After reading your profile, I see you have already started immunotherapy. What type, (interferon, interleukin-II vaccine?) and how was this managed for stage one?
Where are you being seen? You live in Havana? I take it that is Havana PA?
Sorry so many questions.
Michael
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- June 13, 2011 at 6:51 pm
After reading your profile, I see you have already started immunotherapy. What type, (interferon, interleukin-II vaccine?) and how was this managed for stage one?
Where are you being seen? You live in Havana? I take it that is Havana PA?
Sorry so many questions.
Michael
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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