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  • Post
    • March 1, 2019 at 5:09 pm
    Derdew
    Participant

      My sister has just been diagnosed with melanoma.  She had a mole looking thing on her abdomen and had it biopsied.  So far that's as far as she has gotten.  She has an apt. with a surgeon next week and I would like to know what to expect.  I am the researcher of the family and would like to help her through this.

      Should she be going to a specialty hospital for the surgery?  Get a second opinion? 

      Will she be having an oncologist? 

      Should she expect that they will they order further scans and tests to make sure it hasn't spread? 

      They told her they believe it to be "shallow".  Does that mean it hopefully hasn't spread.

      Any assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated. 

       

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        • March 1, 2019 at 5:52 pm
        cancersnewnormal
        Participant

          Without knowing what the pathology report says, it is difficult to know what to expect with surgery. If it is below a certain depth, they will cut enough out of the surrounding tissue to (hopefully) ensure that they have any melanoma cells removed. This will be confirmed via a second pathology report. If it is deeper than .8 mm, they will do a sentinal lymph node biopsy along with the wide margin excision. This is more involved, and will determine whether or not the melanoma has gone into her lymph system. Depth of the primary and lymph node (or not) involvement will determine her initial staging and what kind of follow up care or scanning she may or may not need. She will only have an oncologist if it has spread beyond the original site. Shallow is good to hear, but it would be helpful to read her path report. Shallow catches are obviously the best, because they tend not to metastisize. Two things for certain…. sunscreen should be her new best friend, and she'll need to see a good dermatologist about every 4-6 months. 

            • March 26, 2019 at 3:09 pm
            Derdew
            Participant

              Thank you so much.  She had wide excision done last week and is awaiting second pathology.  They told her the first biopsy indicated it was not deep at all and possibly got it all with the first biopsy but the second surgery will determine that.  Also said the biopsy revealed that it was very old (possibly 30+ years  ?!?!)  and that it did not appear that any lymph node biopsy will be needed. 

              Fingers crossed the good news continues.  Thanks again and prayers to all on this board. 

            • March 1, 2019 at 10:10 pm
            SABKLYN
            Participant

              As C is the NN mentioned, you have to wait for the path.  Since she already had the biopsy, what other surgery does she have scheduled (unless oyu're trying to cover the "what ifs:)?  The path will tell you what it is, if there are clear mrgins, etc.  I would recommend just sitting tight until then.  At that point, I'm sure many will weigh in with their opinions.    If it does turn out to be positive, a melanom specialist would be highly advised.  But don't put the cart in front of the horse on this just yet.  Good luck!

               

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