Newly Diagnosed Melanoma and scared
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Newly Diagnosed Melanoma and scared

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Newly Diagnosed Melanoma and scared

  • Post
    • February 27, 2020 at 3:31 pm
    mh84
    Participant
      I just got the call yesterday that the black spot I was concerned about is indeed melanoma. I think she used the term superficial but the call really was a blur. I go tomorrow to get my WLE done and for a more thorough body check by the Derm this time not the PA like I first had done 2 weeks ago. I am scared as one of the 3 biopsies done also came back precancerous. I also have 2 more black dots that a tony but they look just like the bigger spot on my neck did when it first started out. I am terrified. I only went to the derm because my 2 boys were recommended to get some spots checked and I just happened to be like hey this spot on my neck is black and weird and they told me to make an appointment. I am now scared as I know melanoma is hereditary and I don’t want to pass it to my 2 boys.
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    • Replies
        • February 27, 2020 at 11:21 pm
        tkoss
        Participant
          your first order of business is to determine what stage you are at.

          anything less than stage 3 is very much survivable. more like your extremely unlikely to die or even get very sick.

          read for yourself

          https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/stages-of-melanoma/

            • February 28, 2020 at 5:06 pm
            mh84
            Participant
              Says Breslow 0.4 mm, tissue pathologic staging pT1a. They did WLE today on my neck and did a deeper second biopsy on the atypical, tissue edges involved mole on my back … 2 week wait again. There’s a spot that resembles my melanoma from my neck that’s on my arm that they are going to recheck again at my 2 month appt. He said it will most likely come off but wanted to wait till my next appt. Hearing cancer is terrifying. Fingers crossed the WLE and deeper biopsy got it all today!
            • February 28, 2020 at 3:47 am
            SABKLYN
            Participant
              hi MH,
              My jaw was agape too when I received the news. But, as this is just the beginning, there is a lot left to be discovered and the WLE is the right next step. Once that’s completed and it’s staged, you’ll have time to work out a game plan with your doc. The good news is, if needed, there are many more effective therapies for melanoma than there were 10 years ago. In my case, I had a sentinel lymph node biopsy where I discovered I had two positive nodes, followed two months later by a lymph node dissection. Afterward it was 5 years of follow up, and now, so far so good. Hang in there, MH. If you want more advice (and many here are VERY knowledgeable) post your pathology report. The other piece of advice that you’ll receive on this board is if you need treatment, it’s best to be under the care of an oncologist specializing in melanoma. Good luck and keep us posted!
                • February 28, 2020 at 1:20 pm
                tkoss
                Participant
                  SAB, you did not mention your therapies in the 5 years. I am where you were at, SNLB with 4 nodes removed.

                  did you do immunotherapy or anything other than monitor?

                  • February 28, 2020 at 4:02 pm
                  SABKLYN
                  Participant
                    At the time I was not eligible for ipod and the only therapy in use then for 3a was interferon. I passed as the data indicated it had little therapeutic value and made you feel shitty for a year. So I had the surgery and tried a phase I clinical trial. They also offered ultra sound (every three months as I recall) instead of the CLND but decided for myself on the more aggressive approach.
                    • February 28, 2020 at 4:06 pm
                    SABKLYN
                    Participant
                      I wanted to add that had I been eligible, I would have done the ipi, Keytruda or any other immunologic. But not sure who qualifies and how that may effect future treatment options if needed. Some items perhaps to discuss with your oncologist/melanoma specialist
                      • March 2, 2020 at 2:41 pm
                      SABKLYN
                      Participant
                        Here are the details of the only therapy I received. Not sure how promising it was overall since the study has not progressed.
                        https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01456104

                        • February 28, 2020 at 8:32 pm
                        mh84
                        Participant
                          I will post the report.. it mentioned SOX10 and p16 staining too. I wish I could post a pic of it but I don’t see a way to.
                        • February 28, 2020 at 3:47 am
                        SABKLYN
                        Participant
                          hi MH,
                          My jaw was agape too when I received the news. But, as this is just the beginning, there is a lot left to be discovered and the WLE is the right next step. Once that’s completed and it’s staged, you’ll have time to work out a game plan with your doc. The good news is, if needed, there are many more effective therapies for melanoma than there were 10 years ago. In my case, I had a sentinel lymph node biopsy where I discovered I had two positive nodes, followed two months later by a lymph node dissection. Afterward it was 5 years of follow up, and now, so far so good. Hang in there, MH. If you want more advice (and many here are VERY knowledgeable) post your pathology report. The other piece of advice that you’ll receive on this board is if you need treatment, it’s best to be under the care of an oncologist specializing in melanoma. Good luck and keep us posted!
                            • March 2, 2020 at 6:17 pm
                            mh84
                            Participant
                              Melanoma- Skin, right neck, shave biopsy
                              The Breslow thickness is 0.4 mm, with tissue pathologic staging pT1a
                              An asymmetrical, poorly circumscribed melanocytic proliferation is present. A confluent arrangement of melanocytes is present along the basal layer in which solitary units predominate over the formation of irregular nests. Foci of haphazard intraepithelial dispersion and adnexal extension are present. Melanocytes are pleomorphic and hyperchromatic. The underlying dermis contains a similar population of atypical melanocytes and in addition, demonstrates a lichenoid lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate with melanophages. The lesion is highlighted with Sox10 and p16 immunohistochemical staining. Additional deeper sections were obtained and reviewed.

                              I am waiting for them to send the synoptic report, the Derm office didn’t give it to me before I left after my WLE.

                              • March 2, 2020 at 6:34 pm
                              mh84
                              Participant
                                Melanoma- Skin, right neck, shave biopsy
                                The Breslow thickness is 0.4 mm, with tissue pathologic staging pT1a
                                An asymmetrical, poorly circumscribed melanocytic proliferation is present. A confluent arrangement of melanocytes is present along the basal layer in which solitary units predominate over the formation of irregular nests. Foci of haphazard intraepithelial dispersion and adnexal extension are present. Melanocytes are pleomorphic and hyperchromatic. The underlying dermis contains a similar population of atypical melanocytes and in addition, demonstrates a lichenoid lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate with melanophages. The lesion is highlighted with Sox10 and p16 immunohistochemical staining. Additional deeper sections were obtained and reviewed.

                                I am waiting for them to send the synoptic report, the Derm office didn’t give it to me before I left after my WLE.

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