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Newly diagnosed

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  • Post
    • June 8, 2016 at 3:07 pm
    heatherrenee_c
    Participant

      Hello,

      I had a mole removed and biopsied last Thursday. My dermatologist called yesterday and told me it's melanoma and rated a Clark Level 3.  I meet with a surgical oncologist tomorrow and will get more information then, but am feeling anxious not knowing anything about this.  The mole was on the upper back portion of my left arm.  She said they will biopsy more of the site and possibly biopsy my lymph nodes.  I didn't even know what questions to ask her yesterday, but feel prepared to ask the surgeon a lot of questions tomorrow.  How long typically from the original diagnosis do they determine what stage it is?  Is Clark 3 bad?  Any info you may be able to share is appreciated!  I'm trying to stay away from google searches so I don't get ahead of myself without more details, but ran across this site when looking for information about Melanoma in general.  Thank you!

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • June 8, 2016 at 3:21 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Clark's Level is really an obsolete way of describing a lesion.  Were you given a depth?  Breslow depth is the most telling factor at this point.  Clarks Level describes the level of skin invasion.  However, each Clark's Level is different on different people and also different on different body parts.  You know skin is thicker in some areas of your body than others.  So I would ask for a copy of your pathology report.  That gives you the best information you can get at this point.  The surgeon should be able to do that.  That would give you the info to determine initial staging (my guess is probably stage 1).  Depending on depth and other factor like ulceration, mitosis, regression — these may determine whether your lymph nodes should be tested.  Lower risk lesions aren't usually tested.  Most likely final staging would happen after the WLE (wide local excision – mandatory) and SNB (sentinel node biopsy – optional) if they suggest you do that based on your lesion's characteristics.

          • June 8, 2016 at 3:21 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            Clark's Level is really an obsolete way of describing a lesion.  Were you given a depth?  Breslow depth is the most telling factor at this point.  Clarks Level describes the level of skin invasion.  However, each Clark's Level is different on different people and also different on different body parts.  You know skin is thicker in some areas of your body than others.  So I would ask for a copy of your pathology report.  That gives you the best information you can get at this point.  The surgeon should be able to do that.  That would give you the info to determine initial staging (my guess is probably stage 1).  Depending on depth and other factor like ulceration, mitosis, regression — these may determine whether your lymph nodes should be tested.  Lower risk lesions aren't usually tested.  Most likely final staging would happen after the WLE (wide local excision – mandatory) and SNB (sentinel node biopsy – optional) if they suggest you do that based on your lesion's characteristics.

            • June 8, 2016 at 3:21 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              Clark's Level is really an obsolete way of describing a lesion.  Were you given a depth?  Breslow depth is the most telling factor at this point.  Clarks Level describes the level of skin invasion.  However, each Clark's Level is different on different people and also different on different body parts.  You know skin is thicker in some areas of your body than others.  So I would ask for a copy of your pathology report.  That gives you the best information you can get at this point.  The surgeon should be able to do that.  That would give you the info to determine initial staging (my guess is probably stage 1).  Depending on depth and other factor like ulceration, mitosis, regression — these may determine whether your lymph nodes should be tested.  Lower risk lesions aren't usually tested.  Most likely final staging would happen after the WLE (wide local excision – mandatory) and SNB (sentinel node biopsy – optional) if they suggest you do that based on your lesion's characteristics.

                • June 8, 2016 at 3:45 pm
                heatherrenee_c
                Participant

                  Thank you.  I just added a reminder to ask for a copy of my pathology report tomorrow when I see the oncologist.  We didn't discuss any of the other factors you mentioned so I have no idea.  Anxious to learn more tomorrow!

                  • June 8, 2016 at 3:45 pm
                  heatherrenee_c
                  Participant

                    Thank you.  I just added a reminder to ask for a copy of my pathology report tomorrow when I see the oncologist.  We didn't discuss any of the other factors you mentioned so I have no idea.  Anxious to learn more tomorrow!

                    • June 8, 2016 at 3:45 pm
                    heatherrenee_c
                    Participant

                      Thank you.  I just added a reminder to ask for a copy of my pathology report tomorrow when I see the oncologist.  We didn't discuss any of the other factors you mentioned so I have no idea.  Anxious to learn more tomorrow!

                    • June 8, 2016 at 4:57 pm
                    Patrisa
                    Participant

                      Dear Heather, 

                      you have the right attitude, keep calm and do not google… You are probably at an early stage (though clark level does not on its own say much), so you will be just fine…

                      should this be more serious, don't panic, because THERE ARE MANY GREAT OPTIONS to get it under control…

                      so my advice is again, don t google (man info is very dated) and will panic unneccesarily!

                      love,

                      Patrisa

                      • June 8, 2016 at 4:57 pm
                      Patrisa
                      Participant

                        Dear Heather, 

                        you have the right attitude, keep calm and do not google… You are probably at an early stage (though clark level does not on its own say much), so you will be just fine…

                        should this be more serious, don't panic, because THERE ARE MANY GREAT OPTIONS to get it under control…

                        so my advice is again, don t google (man info is very dated) and will panic unneccesarily!

                        love,

                        Patrisa

                        • June 8, 2016 at 4:57 pm
                        Patrisa
                        Participant

                          Dear Heather, 

                          you have the right attitude, keep calm and do not google… You are probably at an early stage (though clark level does not on its own say much), so you will be just fine…

                          should this be more serious, don't panic, because THERE ARE MANY GREAT OPTIONS to get it under control…

                          so my advice is again, don t google (man info is very dated) and will panic unneccesarily!

                          love,

                          Patrisa

                          • June 8, 2016 at 4:58 pm
                          Patrisa
                          Participant

                            Dear Heather, 

                            you have the right attitude, keep calm and do not google… You are probably at an early stage (though clark level does not on its own say much), so you will be just fine…

                            should this be more serious, don't panic, because THERE ARE MANY GREAT OPTIONS to get it under control…

                            so my advice is again, don t google (man info is very dated) and will panic unneccesarily!

                            love,

                            Patrisa

                            • June 8, 2016 at 4:58 pm
                            Patrisa
                            Participant

                              Dear Heather, 

                              you have the right attitude, keep calm and do not google… You are probably at an early stage (though clark level does not on its own say much), so you will be just fine…

                              should this be more serious, don't panic, because THERE ARE MANY GREAT OPTIONS to get it under control…

                              so my advice is again, don t google (man info is very dated) and will panic unneccesarily!

                              love,

                              Patrisa

                              • June 8, 2016 at 4:58 pm
                              Patrisa
                              Participant

                                Dear Heather, 

                                you have the right attitude, keep calm and do not google… You are probably at an early stage (though clark level does not on its own say much), so you will be just fine…

                                should this be more serious, don't panic, because THERE ARE MANY GREAT OPTIONS to get it under control…

                                so my advice is again, don t google (man info is very dated) and will panic unneccesarily!

                                love,

                                Patrisa

                                • June 13, 2016 at 3:05 pm
                                Kimba67
                                Participant

                                  Hi Heather, I understand your anxiety and I know you are curious.  I don't think googling is a bad thing if you can keep in mind that it is the world wide web and anyone can post anything they want, so stick to medical sites or specialized sites for your facts.  I am also Clark 3 and to be honest, it really doesn't hold much water.  I am scheduled for surgery the 22nd to finishing removing and to see if I am past stage 2. 

                                   

                                  I won't tell you it will be fine, because I am not qualified to do so.  Do stay positive, do educate yourself on the stages and the treatments for the stages so you will be well informed to discuss this with your oncologist.  Prayers lifted for you my friend.

                                  • June 13, 2016 at 3:05 pm
                                  Kimba67
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Heather, I understand your anxiety and I know you are curious.  I don't think googling is a bad thing if you can keep in mind that it is the world wide web and anyone can post anything they want, so stick to medical sites or specialized sites for your facts.  I am also Clark 3 and to be honest, it really doesn't hold much water.  I am scheduled for surgery the 22nd to finishing removing and to see if I am past stage 2. 

                                     

                                    I won't tell you it will be fine, because I am not qualified to do so.  Do stay positive, do educate yourself on the stages and the treatments for the stages so you will be well informed to discuss this with your oncologist.  Prayers lifted for you my friend.

                                    • June 13, 2016 at 3:05 pm
                                    Kimba67
                                    Participant

                                      Hi Heather, I understand your anxiety and I know you are curious.  I don't think googling is a bad thing if you can keep in mind that it is the world wide web and anyone can post anything they want, so stick to medical sites or specialized sites for your facts.  I am also Clark 3 and to be honest, it really doesn't hold much water.  I am scheduled for surgery the 22nd to finishing removing and to see if I am past stage 2. 

                                       

                                      I won't tell you it will be fine, because I am not qualified to do so.  Do stay positive, do educate yourself on the stages and the treatments for the stages so you will be well informed to discuss this with your oncologist.  Prayers lifted for you my friend.

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