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Newly Diagnosed

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    • June 9, 2019 at 2:41 pm
    Momto3
    Participant
      I was diagnosed a few weeks ago with melanoma. It was in the middle of my back. I’m just nervous about the pathology report and what it all means. The report says:
      Procedure: Shave Biopsy
      Histologic Type: Superficial Spreading
      Breslow’s Depth 1.5mm
      Clark Level 3
      Margins:
      Peripheral Margins: Not Involved
      Deep Margins: Not Involved
      Ulceration: Absent
      Mitotic Index: Absent
      Lympho Vascular Invasion: Absent
      Neurotropism: Absent
      Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes: Non-Brisk
      Tumor Regression: None
      Lymph Nodes (if applicable) N/A
      Pathologic Stage: PT2A

      I also had the decisiondx test. I had not heard back so I called and my dr. wasn’t in and the nurse wasn’t really familiar with the report but did tell me
      that it was class 2. My derm will call me tomorrow to discuss the findings. So now I’m very worried about the class 2. Before that test, the
      plan was for me to go to a surgical oncologist if it came back class 2 for the excision and snb. I’m just worried and of course I’m already worried that
      it’s in my lymph nodes. I wonder if tumor characteristics give any indication at all as to whether or not it has spread to lymph nodes? Anyone else here with
      a similar experience?

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        • June 9, 2019 at 11:00 pm
        WithinMySkin
        Participant
          I’m sorry to hear that your biopsy came back melanoma! This board is an amazing place for info and you can go back through years of stories and advice. Things are ever changing in the melanoma treatment world, and there are TONS of new and better treatments out now. So deep breath.

          Usually anything deeper than 1 mm is cause for the lymph node biopsy. Some groups even use 0.8 mm as their cut-off depth. There is never any way to tell from the original biopsy results whether it has spread or not – some things (like greater depth or ulcerated or a high mitotic rate) tend to bode for a greater likelihood of spread.

          My biggest suggestion (and everyone here will echo it as well) make sure you are seeing a team specialized in melanoma. Many dermatologists and oncologists will list it on their resume, but there have been so many advances that you really need to be seeing a specialist. Keep us updated on the news from the derm!

          Health and happiness,
          Lauren

            • June 10, 2019 at 12:58 am
            Momto3
            Participant
              Thank you Lauren. Im just ready to get the snb over with and move on! I cant stand waiting for results!
              • June 24, 2019 at 10:10 am
              Momand2kids
              Participant
                Hi
                I just wanted to reach out-I am new here as well– just dx in May– melanoma on my arm stage 0/1-cannot remember– also a breast/thyroid cancer survivor-both low level– I had been going to derm every 6 months for year and years for skin checks and somehow we both missed this one— I am having an excision on one this week that is not melanoma but is a concern- plus I found a one on my chest that I feel is supsicious-but I just had my skin check a week ago and he did not mention it–but I sent him a picture yesterday– trying not to worry about something before I need to…I hope you get good news from the doc
                • June 24, 2019 at 10:10 am
                Momand2kids
                Participant
                  Hi
                  I just wanted to reach out-I am new here as well– just dx in May– melanoma on my arm stage 0/1-cannot remember– also a breast/thyroid cancer survivor-both low level– I had been going to derm every 6 months for year and years for skin checks and somehow we both missed this one— I am having an excision on one this week that is not melanoma but is a concern- plus I found a one on my chest that I feel is supsicious-but I just had my skin check a week ago and he did not mention it–but I sent him a picture yesterday– trying not to worry about something before I need to…I hope you get good news from the doc
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