Newly diagnosed and overwhelmed
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Newly diagnosed and overwhelmed

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Newly diagnosed and overwhelmed

  • Post
    • September 20, 2014 at 1:28 pm
    Kerrid74
    Participant

      Good morning everyone.  I am 40 years old and mommy to 2 beautiful babies. Ages 3 and 5.  Last week I was diagnosed with invasive melanoma.  I have been researching non stop and to be honest I am overwhelmed, anxious and confused.  I have a wonderful support system around me, who are also doing plenty to research with me.  Yesterday I had my first appointment at Dana Farber melanoma center with the surgeon.  I was just diagnosed this past Wednesday with a deep biopsy.  So when I saw the surgeon yesterday, she explained my melanoma was .8mm, appeared thin with a mitotic rate of 0. No ulceration. Superficial spreading.  The surgeon said the next step will be next week to have general anesthesia with a wide excision and snb.  My question- is why not a pet scan or ct scan?  I am gung go for the surgery and I did ask her why not a pet scan or ct scan but she said the snb should be next and if that's positive,   Additional testing is next.  Does this sound like normal procedure? I was thinking of a 2nd opinion.  Though I did love the doc I met yesterday.  Thank you, and thought this is not where expected to meet new friends, I'm looking forward to it. 

      Kerri

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    • Replies
        • September 20, 2014 at 2:09 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          This is a stage IA lesion so far.  Some places wouldn't even do the SNB for this depth and stage of lesion.  Scans are not appropriate at this time.  Scans do not show microscopic disease, they only show tumors of a certain size.  So if the SNB is negative, there ARE no tumors that would show up on scans.  Also, if the SNB is negative, that will be the end of your treatment.  You will be stage IA (extremely high survival rate) and just move on being vigilant (but not paranoid).  If the SNB is positive, then it is possible they will do scans, offer your a lymph node dissection and possibly other adjuvant treatment.  You can ask for a second opinion, but truthfully, everything is being done according to a standard protocol and it is very doubtful you'd get any different advice anywhere else — except some may say the SNB is not needed.  No one would be offering you MORE treatment options at this time.  I'd just ask for a copy of your pathology report for your own medical files. 

          • September 20, 2014 at 2:09 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            This is a stage IA lesion so far.  Some places wouldn't even do the SNB for this depth and stage of lesion.  Scans are not appropriate at this time.  Scans do not show microscopic disease, they only show tumors of a certain size.  So if the SNB is negative, there ARE no tumors that would show up on scans.  Also, if the SNB is negative, that will be the end of your treatment.  You will be stage IA (extremely high survival rate) and just move on being vigilant (but not paranoid).  If the SNB is positive, then it is possible they will do scans, offer your a lymph node dissection and possibly other adjuvant treatment.  You can ask for a second opinion, but truthfully, everything is being done according to a standard protocol and it is very doubtful you'd get any different advice anywhere else — except some may say the SNB is not needed.  No one would be offering you MORE treatment options at this time.  I'd just ask for a copy of your pathology report for your own medical files. 

            • September 20, 2014 at 2:09 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              This is a stage IA lesion so far.  Some places wouldn't even do the SNB for this depth and stage of lesion.  Scans are not appropriate at this time.  Scans do not show microscopic disease, they only show tumors of a certain size.  So if the SNB is negative, there ARE no tumors that would show up on scans.  Also, if the SNB is negative, that will be the end of your treatment.  You will be stage IA (extremely high survival rate) and just move on being vigilant (but not paranoid).  If the SNB is positive, then it is possible they will do scans, offer your a lymph node dissection and possibly other adjuvant treatment.  You can ask for a second opinion, but truthfully, everything is being done according to a standard protocol and it is very doubtful you'd get any different advice anywhere else — except some may say the SNB is not needed.  No one would be offering you MORE treatment options at this time.  I'd just ask for a copy of your pathology report for your own medical files. 

                • September 20, 2014 at 2:53 pm
                Kerrid74
                Participant

                  Thank you somuch for ur response.  So much research and information to process.  Uggggh.  Grateful for this forum.  

                  Blessings to u:)

                  • September 20, 2014 at 2:53 pm
                  Kerrid74
                  Participant

                    Thank you somuch for ur response.  So much research and information to process.  Uggggh.  Grateful for this forum.  

                    Blessings to u:)

                    • September 20, 2014 at 2:53 pm
                    Kerrid74
                    Participant

                      Thank you somuch for ur response.  So much research and information to process.  Uggggh.  Grateful for this forum.  

                      Blessings to u:)

                    • September 20, 2014 at 4:52 pm
                    ed williams
                    Participant

                      Hi Kerri, your situation comes up a lot on the forum. If you go back and look for titles like yours " newly diagnosed" , you will find lots of great advice. There is one or two a week for as long as I have been on the forum. They send the nodes out from the SNB to be checked for evidence of Melanoma. Based on that pathology report your doc will talk with you about the next step. I hope that you get a clean pathology report!!!! I was staged 3a after the snb and had my axillary nodes removed about 15 in total. Most people with your numbers are finished after the snb. Best of luck!!! Ed

                      • September 20, 2014 at 4:52 pm
                      ed williams
                      Participant

                        Hi Kerri, your situation comes up a lot on the forum. If you go back and look for titles like yours " newly diagnosed" , you will find lots of great advice. There is one or two a week for as long as I have been on the forum. They send the nodes out from the SNB to be checked for evidence of Melanoma. Based on that pathology report your doc will talk with you about the next step. I hope that you get a clean pathology report!!!! I was staged 3a after the snb and had my axillary nodes removed about 15 in total. Most people with your numbers are finished after the snb. Best of luck!!! Ed

                        • September 20, 2014 at 4:52 pm
                        ed williams
                        Participant

                          Hi Kerri, your situation comes up a lot on the forum. If you go back and look for titles like yours " newly diagnosed" , you will find lots of great advice. There is one or two a week for as long as I have been on the forum. They send the nodes out from the SNB to be checked for evidence of Melanoma. Based on that pathology report your doc will talk with you about the next step. I hope that you get a clean pathology report!!!! I was staged 3a after the snb and had my axillary nodes removed about 15 in total. Most people with your numbers are finished after the snb. Best of luck!!! Ed

                            • September 20, 2014 at 7:57 pm
                            Kerrid74
                            Participant

                              Thank you Ed:).  Good luck with your journey.  It's amazing how 1 phonecall changes ur life entirely. :).  

                              • September 20, 2014 at 7:57 pm
                              Kerrid74
                              Participant

                                Thank you Ed:).  Good luck with your journey.  It's amazing how 1 phonecall changes ur life entirely. :).  

                                • September 20, 2014 at 7:57 pm
                                Kerrid74
                                Participant

                                  Thank you Ed:).  Good luck with your journey.  It's amazing how 1 phonecall changes ur life entirely. :).  

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