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Set up for wide local excision surgery
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Set up for wide local excision surgery

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Set up for wide local excision surgery

  • Post
    • December 1, 2016 at 5:05 pm
    Hriggenbach
    Participant

      I'm set up for wide local excision surgery and lymph node testing very nervous. Anyy info would help I'm very worried the melanoma has spread  this is my pathology report Word for Word 

      Ulcerated invasive spitzoid malignant melanoma 

      Breslow Depp at least 2.3 MM Clark's level IV
      ulceration present
      Focal angiolymphatic invasion present
      No neurotrophic invasion present 
      No microsatellitosis present 
      There is a brisk host inflammatory response 
      Note: The breslow depth maybe deeper than reported as the lesion is seen extending to the base of the biopsy specimen. The AJCC staging for this lesion is PT3B Pnx, stage IIB. The mart-1 strain efficiency highlights these meanocytes with the PHH3 highlighting Mitotic figures
    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • December 2, 2016 at 12:33 am
        Nell_80
        Participant

          I am in the same boat. I have my wide excision surgery and SNB scheduled Dec 7th. My pathology report stated it was invasive nodular melanoma with a breslow thickness of 4mm or deeper. Mitotic rate of 20. I have been informed my numbers are not good and I just recently had an MRI due to dizziness. Still waiting on those results. I am prepared for the pain and I am prepared for the scars, but I am of course scared for the future and results. Stay positive and I hope knowing your not alone can bring you some comfort. 

          • December 2, 2016 at 12:33 am
          Nell_80
          Participant

            I am in the same boat. I have my wide excision surgery and SNB scheduled Dec 7th. My pathology report stated it was invasive nodular melanoma with a breslow thickness of 4mm or deeper. Mitotic rate of 20. I have been informed my numbers are not good and I just recently had an MRI due to dizziness. Still waiting on those results. I am prepared for the pain and I am prepared for the scars, but I am of course scared for the future and results. Stay positive and I hope knowing your not alone can bring you some comfort. 

            • December 2, 2016 at 12:33 am
            Nell_80
            Participant

              I am in the same boat. I have my wide excision surgery and SNB scheduled Dec 7th. My pathology report stated it was invasive nodular melanoma with a breslow thickness of 4mm or deeper. Mitotic rate of 20. I have been informed my numbers are not good and I just recently had an MRI due to dizziness. Still waiting on those results. I am prepared for the pain and I am prepared for the scars, but I am of course scared for the future and results. Stay positive and I hope knowing your not alone can bring you some comfort. 

              • December 2, 2016 at 4:46 am
              Joycem
              Participant

                Hi,

                Sorry you are going through this, but this board is a treasure trove of info and experience.

                I am just a few months out from my WLE and was surprised that my SNB came back negative despite a very thick nodular lesion (8.5) also only partly removed by shave biopsy and a  mitotic rate of 10. (Actually grew back quite a bit between biopsy and WLE). It was amelenotic and had been there a long time. 

                Keep positive, stay busy doing things you enjoy before and after surgery (that wait is tough). Avoid a lot of internet research; statistics are often out of date and a bit misleading. Then you will be ready to deal with whatever follow up you need to when it is time. 

                Wishing you both well! 

                Blessings,

                Joyce

                  • December 2, 2016 at 2:29 pm
                  Hriggenbach
                  Participant

                    Im so sorry for both of you this whole process is so scary! I really hope your MRI is good. My dermatologist just sent my pathology and biopsy to osu hospital and called and told me I have melanoma but she doesnt know much about it and she would rather the oncologist to go over it with me. I went to see the oncologist yesterday and I went blank with all my questions with her explaining the surgery and doing blood work and x-rays for surgery I dont really know if mine is bad or good not the any melanoma is good but the kind that is going to spread or stage up? Sorry if that is a stupid question I'm just so confused

                    • December 5, 2016 at 2:16 am
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      1st, ask for a copy of your pathology reports for your own records.

                      2nd.  Take someone with you.  Two heads are better than one.  In addition, write down any questions you have on a sheet you can give to the doctor.  Then they know what you want to ask and how to frame the replies.  You also get to spend time listening to the reply instead of having to worry about asking the next question.  I always print out two copies of questions, one for me to make notes on and the other for the doctor to read.

                      3rd.  There is no good or bad melanoma – all melanoma can spread.  Different lesions have higher or lower risk factors but there are always those with the highest negative factors that never spread and visa versa.  Your pathology report describes your particular lesion and can give your further insight.  Make your own medical record book and take it with you to all your appointments.  Then you're not dependent upon anyone else having a copy  – you have it with you.  Your staging is not complete until you have the additional surgery – results of the SNB will give you the next step in staging.

                      4th.  Make sure who you are seeing is a melanoma specialist.  Someone who deals with it daily.  Someone who has access to research and clinical trials.

                      • December 5, 2016 at 2:16 am
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        1st, ask for a copy of your pathology reports for your own records.

                        2nd.  Take someone with you.  Two heads are better than one.  In addition, write down any questions you have on a sheet you can give to the doctor.  Then they know what you want to ask and how to frame the replies.  You also get to spend time listening to the reply instead of having to worry about asking the next question.  I always print out two copies of questions, one for me to make notes on and the other for the doctor to read.

                        3rd.  There is no good or bad melanoma – all melanoma can spread.  Different lesions have higher or lower risk factors but there are always those with the highest negative factors that never spread and visa versa.  Your pathology report describes your particular lesion and can give your further insight.  Make your own medical record book and take it with you to all your appointments.  Then you're not dependent upon anyone else having a copy  – you have it with you.  Your staging is not complete until you have the additional surgery – results of the SNB will give you the next step in staging.

                        4th.  Make sure who you are seeing is a melanoma specialist.  Someone who deals with it daily.  Someone who has access to research and clinical trials.

                        • December 5, 2016 at 2:16 am
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          1st, ask for a copy of your pathology reports for your own records.

                          2nd.  Take someone with you.  Two heads are better than one.  In addition, write down any questions you have on a sheet you can give to the doctor.  Then they know what you want to ask and how to frame the replies.  You also get to spend time listening to the reply instead of having to worry about asking the next question.  I always print out two copies of questions, one for me to make notes on and the other for the doctor to read.

                          3rd.  There is no good or bad melanoma – all melanoma can spread.  Different lesions have higher or lower risk factors but there are always those with the highest negative factors that never spread and visa versa.  Your pathology report describes your particular lesion and can give your further insight.  Make your own medical record book and take it with you to all your appointments.  Then you're not dependent upon anyone else having a copy  – you have it with you.  Your staging is not complete until you have the additional surgery – results of the SNB will give you the next step in staging.

                          4th.  Make sure who you are seeing is a melanoma specialist.  Someone who deals with it daily.  Someone who has access to research and clinical trials.

                          • December 2, 2016 at 2:29 pm
                          Hriggenbach
                          Participant

                            Im so sorry for both of you this whole process is so scary! I really hope your MRI is good. My dermatologist just sent my pathology and biopsy to osu hospital and called and told me I have melanoma but she doesnt know much about it and she would rather the oncologist to go over it with me. I went to see the oncologist yesterday and I went blank with all my questions with her explaining the surgery and doing blood work and x-rays for surgery I dont really know if mine is bad or good not the any melanoma is good but the kind that is going to spread or stage up? Sorry if that is a stupid question I'm just so confused

                            • December 2, 2016 at 2:29 pm
                            Hriggenbach
                            Participant

                              Im so sorry for both of you this whole process is so scary! I really hope your MRI is good. My dermatologist just sent my pathology and biopsy to osu hospital and called and told me I have melanoma but she doesnt know much about it and she would rather the oncologist to go over it with me. I went to see the oncologist yesterday and I went blank with all my questions with her explaining the surgery and doing blood work and x-rays for surgery I dont really know if mine is bad or good not the any melanoma is good but the kind that is going to spread or stage up? Sorry if that is a stupid question I'm just so confused

                            • December 2, 2016 at 4:46 am
                            Joycem
                            Participant

                              Hi,

                              Sorry you are going through this, but this board is a treasure trove of info and experience.

                              I am just a few months out from my WLE and was surprised that my SNB came back negative despite a very thick nodular lesion (8.5) also only partly removed by shave biopsy and a  mitotic rate of 10. (Actually grew back quite a bit between biopsy and WLE). It was amelenotic and had been there a long time. 

                              Keep positive, stay busy doing things you enjoy before and after surgery (that wait is tough). Avoid a lot of internet research; statistics are often out of date and a bit misleading. Then you will be ready to deal with whatever follow up you need to when it is time. 

                              Wishing you both well! 

                              Blessings,

                              Joyce

                              • December 2, 2016 at 4:46 am
                              Joycem
                              Participant

                                Hi,

                                Sorry you are going through this, but this board is a treasure trove of info and experience.

                                I am just a few months out from my WLE and was surprised that my SNB came back negative despite a very thick nodular lesion (8.5) also only partly removed by shave biopsy and a  mitotic rate of 10. (Actually grew back quite a bit between biopsy and WLE). It was amelenotic and had been there a long time. 

                                Keep positive, stay busy doing things you enjoy before and after surgery (that wait is tough). Avoid a lot of internet research; statistics are often out of date and a bit misleading. Then you will be ready to deal with whatever follow up you need to when it is time. 

                                Wishing you both well! 

                                Blessings,

                                Joyce

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