› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Recently Diagnosed, melanoma?
- This topic has 15 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 4 months ago by
Janner.
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- April 24, 2012 at 4:10 pm
I recently had two moles removed last week. After reading over this forum, I went in and picked up copies of my pathology reports, which are not the best copies and I cannot read everything. I have a appointment this next week, but right, I am not sure how bad it is. I am just told I need an excision, and doc will discuss it next week at appt (doc is out of town this week).
1. junctional melonocytic nevus, architectural disorder and cytologic atypism of melanomcytes. margins free of lesion.
I recently had two moles removed last week. After reading over this forum, I went in and picked up copies of my pathology reports, which are not the best copies and I cannot read everything. I have a appointment this next week, but right, I am not sure how bad it is. I am just told I need an excision, and doc will discuss it next week at appt (doc is out of town this week).
1. junctional melonocytic nevus, architectural disorder and cytologic atypism of melanomcytes. margins free of lesion.
2. Proliferation of severely atypical nevomelanocytes arranged in a few small nests but confined to the epidermis. Significant atypia and nuclear pleomorphism with abundant plump cytoplasm. Atyical cells are, focally, moving upward in pagetoid fashion. Atypical nevomelanocystes extend to one laterla margin. The cells do not invade the dermis. Reexcision recommended.
HELP! What does this mean?
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- April 24, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Since there isn't a final diagnosis listed, we can't tell for certain based on just the explanation. Copying out the entire report is helpful. But here is my interpretation based on what you typed.
1. atypical nevus – not sure how atypical. Often times they are listed as mild, moderate or severe. However, it appears this one is probably considered mild or moderate and clear margins (which you have) are all that is needed.
2. This appears to be a severely atypical lesion. (This is where the final diagnosis would help clarify things). It doesn't appear to be melanoma but it has a higher potential to become melanoma given the severe atypia. This should be excised with 5mm margins. If the final diagnosis were melanoma in situ, the treatment would be exactly the same. But the "description" of the lesion doesn't tell me the pathologist's final diagnosis. Since it sounds like you already have a re-excision scheduled, it sounds like your doc is doing things according to "standard". So expect a decent chunk of skin to be removed. This is basically precautionery but it is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to melanoma — or severely atypical lesions.
It's usually best to get the doctor's intepretation on this stuff first. They may have input from the pathologist or access to more data than you typed which could change my interpretation. Regardless of the final diagnosis, everything should be taken care of with the re-excision of lesion #2.
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- April 24, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Since there isn't a final diagnosis listed, we can't tell for certain based on just the explanation. Copying out the entire report is helpful. But here is my interpretation based on what you typed.
1. atypical nevus – not sure how atypical. Often times they are listed as mild, moderate or severe. However, it appears this one is probably considered mild or moderate and clear margins (which you have) are all that is needed.
2. This appears to be a severely atypical lesion. (This is where the final diagnosis would help clarify things). It doesn't appear to be melanoma but it has a higher potential to become melanoma given the severe atypia. This should be excised with 5mm margins. If the final diagnosis were melanoma in situ, the treatment would be exactly the same. But the "description" of the lesion doesn't tell me the pathologist's final diagnosis. Since it sounds like you already have a re-excision scheduled, it sounds like your doc is doing things according to "standard". So expect a decent chunk of skin to be removed. This is basically precautionery but it is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to melanoma — or severely atypical lesions.
It's usually best to get the doctor's intepretation on this stuff first. They may have input from the pathologist or access to more data than you typed which could change my interpretation. Regardless of the final diagnosis, everything should be taken care of with the re-excision of lesion #2.
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- April 24, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Since there isn't a final diagnosis listed, we can't tell for certain based on just the explanation. Copying out the entire report is helpful. But here is my interpretation based on what you typed.
1. atypical nevus – not sure how atypical. Often times they are listed as mild, moderate or severe. However, it appears this one is probably considered mild or moderate and clear margins (which you have) are all that is needed.
2. This appears to be a severely atypical lesion. (This is where the final diagnosis would help clarify things). It doesn't appear to be melanoma but it has a higher potential to become melanoma given the severe atypia. This should be excised with 5mm margins. If the final diagnosis were melanoma in situ, the treatment would be exactly the same. But the "description" of the lesion doesn't tell me the pathologist's final diagnosis. Since it sounds like you already have a re-excision scheduled, it sounds like your doc is doing things according to "standard". So expect a decent chunk of skin to be removed. This is basically precautionery but it is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to melanoma — or severely atypical lesions.
It's usually best to get the doctor's intepretation on this stuff first. They may have input from the pathologist or access to more data than you typed which could change my interpretation. Regardless of the final diagnosis, everything should be taken care of with the re-excision of lesion #2.
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- April 24, 2012 at 8:54 pm
What are the chances that I have another melanoma, or will get one in future? I did a search and found 8-10%? Is that true in my case too, since I have a family history of melanoma (2 other people who have had more than one melanoma). So there's a 90% chance I will never have another one and if this one is a stage 0 then it has no chance of spread, its more removed as a caution?
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- April 24, 2012 at 8:54 pm
What are the chances that I have another melanoma, or will get one in future? I did a search and found 8-10%? Is that true in my case too, since I have a family history of melanoma (2 other people who have had more than one melanoma). So there's a 90% chance I will never have another one and if this one is a stage 0 then it has no chance of spread, its more removed as a caution?
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- April 24, 2012 at 8:54 pm
What are the chances that I have another melanoma, or will get one in future? I did a search and found 8-10%? Is that true in my case too, since I have a family history of melanoma (2 other people who have had more than one melanoma). So there's a 90% chance I will never have another one and if this one is a stage 0 then it has no chance of spread, its more removed as a caution?
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- April 25, 2012 at 1:08 am
You don't even know if your current lesion is melanoma. It's a bit premature to speculate about others. You say you have a family history. Are the 2 individuals parents or grandparents? There are a couple of genetic defects for melanoma but they account for only about 5% of the melanoma population. (I have one of these defects – CDKN2A). If you were to have one of these defects, your odds would be quite high for getting melanoma. However, melanoma can run in families and not have one of the known defects. People with DNS (dysplastic nevus syndrome) can also have higher incidence rates. If this is something you are concerned about, it might be best to talk to a genetic counselor. When you get into the intracacies of family history, it's best to talk to someone who can evaluate YOUR risk specifically. The genetic defects don't skip generations, so if your relatives aren't first degree relatives, chances are there isn't a true genetic defect. Since most melanoma is considered "sporadic", the general risk of a second primary for most melanoma warriors is about 8%.
Severely atypical lesions aren't considered melanoma and it is possible that is what you have. If the final diagnosis is melanoma in situ, it basically has about a 100% cure rate. It is confined entirely in the epidermis and lacks the ability to spread. Nothing is every 100%, but if you have to be diagnosed with melanoma, melanoma in situ is what you want to have. As I said before, it is unclear from the description alone what the final diagnosis is – more clarification is needed. Until you know th reality, it's a bit pointless to speculate.
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- April 25, 2012 at 1:01 pm
I appreciate your responding. I do think it's melanoma, because I watched a video on youtube and that word PAGETOID means melanoma I gather (from watching video) I just want to prepare myself for worst case. Yes, the melanoma was uncle, great aunt, and grandfather. I have lots of freckles, but not many moles. I don't tan anymore, but can I reverse what I did in teens and early 20s? I tanned in a salon and laid out. Can you reverse that? Does what I did back then affect me years later? Do I need to protect my skin now or is the damage already done?
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- April 25, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Pagetoid doesn't only mean melanoma. It's just one of many characteristics that MIGHT be seen in a melanoma. There are MANY factors that go into a melanoma diagnosis and all of them are evaluated for how atypical they are. A severely atypical lesion has some of the characteristics of melanoma in situ. It just doesn't have all of them. It's a matter of degrees.
Your family relationship isn't extremely close. No parents or siblings that would imply a direct link. No, you can't reverse damage already done and yes, it most likely will affect you later. If not melanoma, then the other skin cancers. Yes, you do need to protect your skin now. No tan is a good tan. All those freckles imply sun damage. The more exposure and burns you have, the higher your risk will be for all types of skin cancer. The damage to your DNA is cummulative and it doesn't heal itself over time.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- April 25, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Pagetoid doesn't only mean melanoma. It's just one of many characteristics that MIGHT be seen in a melanoma. There are MANY factors that go into a melanoma diagnosis and all of them are evaluated for how atypical they are. A severely atypical lesion has some of the characteristics of melanoma in situ. It just doesn't have all of them. It's a matter of degrees.
Your family relationship isn't extremely close. No parents or siblings that would imply a direct link. No, you can't reverse damage already done and yes, it most likely will affect you later. If not melanoma, then the other skin cancers. Yes, you do need to protect your skin now. No tan is a good tan. All those freckles imply sun damage. The more exposure and burns you have, the higher your risk will be for all types of skin cancer. The damage to your DNA is cummulative and it doesn't heal itself over time.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- April 25, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Pagetoid doesn't only mean melanoma. It's just one of many characteristics that MIGHT be seen in a melanoma. There are MANY factors that go into a melanoma diagnosis and all of them are evaluated for how atypical they are. A severely atypical lesion has some of the characteristics of melanoma in situ. It just doesn't have all of them. It's a matter of degrees.
Your family relationship isn't extremely close. No parents or siblings that would imply a direct link. No, you can't reverse damage already done and yes, it most likely will affect you later. If not melanoma, then the other skin cancers. Yes, you do need to protect your skin now. No tan is a good tan. All those freckles imply sun damage. The more exposure and burns you have, the higher your risk will be for all types of skin cancer. The damage to your DNA is cummulative and it doesn't heal itself over time.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- April 25, 2012 at 1:01 pm
I appreciate your responding. I do think it's melanoma, because I watched a video on youtube and that word PAGETOID means melanoma I gather (from watching video) I just want to prepare myself for worst case. Yes, the melanoma was uncle, great aunt, and grandfather. I have lots of freckles, but not many moles. I don't tan anymore, but can I reverse what I did in teens and early 20s? I tanned in a salon and laid out. Can you reverse that? Does what I did back then affect me years later? Do I need to protect my skin now or is the damage already done?
-
- April 25, 2012 at 1:01 pm
I appreciate your responding. I do think it's melanoma, because I watched a video on youtube and that word PAGETOID means melanoma I gather (from watching video) I just want to prepare myself for worst case. Yes, the melanoma was uncle, great aunt, and grandfather. I have lots of freckles, but not many moles. I don't tan anymore, but can I reverse what I did in teens and early 20s? I tanned in a salon and laid out. Can you reverse that? Does what I did back then affect me years later? Do I need to protect my skin now or is the damage already done?
-
- April 25, 2012 at 1:08 am
You don't even know if your current lesion is melanoma. It's a bit premature to speculate about others. You say you have a family history. Are the 2 individuals parents or grandparents? There are a couple of genetic defects for melanoma but they account for only about 5% of the melanoma population. (I have one of these defects – CDKN2A). If you were to have one of these defects, your odds would be quite high for getting melanoma. However, melanoma can run in families and not have one of the known defects. People with DNS (dysplastic nevus syndrome) can also have higher incidence rates. If this is something you are concerned about, it might be best to talk to a genetic counselor. When you get into the intracacies of family history, it's best to talk to someone who can evaluate YOUR risk specifically. The genetic defects don't skip generations, so if your relatives aren't first degree relatives, chances are there isn't a true genetic defect. Since most melanoma is considered "sporadic", the general risk of a second primary for most melanoma warriors is about 8%.
Severely atypical lesions aren't considered melanoma and it is possible that is what you have. If the final diagnosis is melanoma in situ, it basically has about a 100% cure rate. It is confined entirely in the epidermis and lacks the ability to spread. Nothing is every 100%, but if you have to be diagnosed with melanoma, melanoma in situ is what you want to have. As I said before, it is unclear from the description alone what the final diagnosis is – more clarification is needed. Until you know th reality, it's a bit pointless to speculate.
-
- April 25, 2012 at 1:08 am
You don't even know if your current lesion is melanoma. It's a bit premature to speculate about others. You say you have a family history. Are the 2 individuals parents or grandparents? There are a couple of genetic defects for melanoma but they account for only about 5% of the melanoma population. (I have one of these defects – CDKN2A). If you were to have one of these defects, your odds would be quite high for getting melanoma. However, melanoma can run in families and not have one of the known defects. People with DNS (dysplastic nevus syndrome) can also have higher incidence rates. If this is something you are concerned about, it might be best to talk to a genetic counselor. When you get into the intracacies of family history, it's best to talk to someone who can evaluate YOUR risk specifically. The genetic defects don't skip generations, so if your relatives aren't first degree relatives, chances are there isn't a true genetic defect. Since most melanoma is considered "sporadic", the general risk of a second primary for most melanoma warriors is about 8%.
Severely atypical lesions aren't considered melanoma and it is possible that is what you have. If the final diagnosis is melanoma in situ, it basically has about a 100% cure rate. It is confined entirely in the epidermis and lacks the ability to spread. Nothing is every 100%, but if you have to be diagnosed with melanoma, melanoma in situ is what you want to have. As I said before, it is unclear from the description alone what the final diagnosis is – more clarification is needed. Until you know th reality, it's a bit pointless to speculate.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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