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    • June 2, 2015 at 8:11 pm
    Mhardes
    Participant
      I recently went for my routine skin check and the dermatologist took a shave biopsy as he didn’t feel it was anything serious. The report came back superficial spreading malignant melanoma from a respected pathologist…the report said the recommended treatment was a 1cm we and careful flow up (visits every 3 months for 2 years..then every 6 for 3)…when I asked the stage..said as low as you could go above 0..and when I asked about lymph nodes…was told early enough not to worry. Does this sound right?…I have a follow up this week and am going to ask for a copy of my pathology report. I assume that if it were a stage 2 or higher…I would have been given my options…got the call on a Thursday and had the incision on Friday…I asked them why so soon..and they said even though it was caught early..want to remove melanoma as soon as possible…obviously..I agree with that…but then your min thinks that it was spreading fast…you here people waiting… my dermatologist is very reputable and he knew I was upset waiting for the report..so I assume he had my best interest at heart.
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        • June 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Sounds like stage 1A,  and everything is going according to plan.  Only your doc can confirm the staging (or the path report).  As for how quickly it goes, it doesn't matter much.  Although easier on the mind to have it removed in a day, studies have shown that waiting does not impact prognosis.  Just consider yourself lucky that you didn't have to go thru more agony of waiting.  Most larger centers don't have time slots available that quickly – it's just a reality.

          Hang in there but it sounds normal as far as an early melanoma diagnosis goes.

            • June 2, 2015 at 10:29 pm
            Mhardes
            Participant

              Ok, thanks..so every 3 months for the first two years is common?

              • June 3, 2015 at 2:36 am
              Janner
              Participant

                Different institutions have different followup plans.  Some do 3 months, some do 6 months.  Choose whatever makes you comfortable.  There is no "standard" protocol on followup visits.

                • June 3, 2015 at 2:36 am
                Janner
                Participant

                  Different institutions have different followup plans.  Some do 3 months, some do 6 months.  Choose whatever makes you comfortable.  There is no "standard" protocol on followup visits.

                  • June 3, 2015 at 2:36 am
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    Different institutions have different followup plans.  Some do 3 months, some do 6 months.  Choose whatever makes you comfortable.  There is no "standard" protocol on followup visits.

                    • June 2, 2015 at 10:29 pm
                    Mhardes
                    Participant

                      Ok, thanks..so every 3 months for the first two years is common?

                      • June 2, 2015 at 10:29 pm
                      Mhardes
                      Participant

                        Ok, thanks..so every 3 months for the first two years is common?

                      • June 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Sounds like stage 1A,  and everything is going according to plan.  Only your doc can confirm the staging (or the path report).  As for how quickly it goes, it doesn't matter much.  Although easier on the mind to have it removed in a day, studies have shown that waiting does not impact prognosis.  Just consider yourself lucky that you didn't have to go thru more agony of waiting.  Most larger centers don't have time slots available that quickly – it's just a reality.

                        Hang in there but it sounds normal as far as an early melanoma diagnosis goes.

                        • June 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Sounds like stage 1A,  and everything is going according to plan.  Only your doc can confirm the staging (or the path report).  As for how quickly it goes, it doesn't matter much.  Although easier on the mind to have it removed in a day, studies have shown that waiting does not impact prognosis.  Just consider yourself lucky that you didn't have to go thru more agony of waiting.  Most larger centers don't have time slots available that quickly – it's just a reality.

                          Hang in there but it sounds normal as far as an early melanoma diagnosis goes.

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