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Told mole on arm was cancerous
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Told mole on arm was cancerous

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Told mole on arm was cancerous

  • Post
    • September 17, 2015 at 6:47 pm
    michaelk
    Participant

      It's two days after being told my biopsy was cancerous, and I'm very worried.  I've been reading up on things as I can.  I have an appointment with a surgeon in 1.5 weeks for sentinel node removal and analysis.

      I visited my GP today who had the pathalogy report.  The things I remember from the doctor are:

      * superficial spreading

      * Clark level IV (this is the part that scares me)

      * non-ulcerated

      * I saw the number .85mm but don't know in what context (the width was around 5 mm)

      * mitosis of 1 / mm^2

      Are there any words of encouragement or analysis of the data that I do know so far?  Or is it too early?

      Thanks.

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 17, 2015 at 6:53 pm
        Never Gonna Stop
        Participant

          It sounds like your Breslow thickness is the 0.85 mm. Honestly, that's not very deep, and the lack of ulceration is a very good thing. That doesn't mean it couldn't have spread, but you're starting from a better place than some. I hope that gives you some solace! For reference, I had a depth of 1.6 mm, a Clark IV, and 1 mitosis/mm^2 also. My sentinel node was positive, as well as a non-sentinel node, but textbook scenario said I only had a 10-15% chance of my sentinel node being positive with those tumor stats…I just got unlucky :).

          Right now, your imagination can be your worst enemy! Know that many people are thriving even with stage IV melanoma with the improved treatments these days (not that I'm suggesting you have anything other that stage I!).

            • September 17, 2015 at 7:09 pm
            michaelk
            Participant

              Thank you for your reply.  I appreciate your encouragement and wish the best for you!

              • September 17, 2015 at 7:09 pm
              michaelk
              Participant

                Thank you for your reply.  I appreciate your encouragement and wish the best for you!

                • September 17, 2015 at 7:09 pm
                michaelk
                Participant

                  Thank you for your reply.  I appreciate your encouragement and wish the best for you!

                • September 17, 2015 at 6:53 pm
                Never Gonna Stop
                Participant

                  It sounds like your Breslow thickness is the 0.85 mm. Honestly, that's not very deep, and the lack of ulceration is a very good thing. That doesn't mean it couldn't have spread, but you're starting from a better place than some. I hope that gives you some solace! For reference, I had a depth of 1.6 mm, a Clark IV, and 1 mitosis/mm^2 also. My sentinel node was positive, as well as a non-sentinel node, but textbook scenario said I only had a 10-15% chance of my sentinel node being positive with those tumor stats…I just got unlucky :).

                  Right now, your imagination can be your worst enemy! Know that many people are thriving even with stage IV melanoma with the improved treatments these days (not that I'm suggesting you have anything other that stage I!).

                  • September 17, 2015 at 6:53 pm
                  Never Gonna Stop
                  Participant

                    It sounds like your Breslow thickness is the 0.85 mm. Honestly, that's not very deep, and the lack of ulceration is a very good thing. That doesn't mean it couldn't have spread, but you're starting from a better place than some. I hope that gives you some solace! For reference, I had a depth of 1.6 mm, a Clark IV, and 1 mitosis/mm^2 also. My sentinel node was positive, as well as a non-sentinel node, but textbook scenario said I only had a 10-15% chance of my sentinel node being positive with those tumor stats…I just got unlucky :).

                    Right now, your imagination can be your worst enemy! Know that many people are thriving even with stage IV melanoma with the improved treatments these days (not that I'm suggesting you have anything other that stage I!).

                    • September 17, 2015 at 8:15 pm
                    casagrayson
                    Participant

                      Clark Level IV is NOT the same as Stage IV melanoma, just in case that is what you thought.  At .85mm, some doctors won't even offer a sentinel node biopsy, as your lesion is such a low risk.  The most likely scenario is that you will have a WLE (wide local excision) to make sure the entire lesion is gone with wide margins, and no other treatment will be required.  You will be asked to some back every three months or so for a full-body skin check, and you will be told to use sunscreen every day and be on the lookout for any change in moles.  And you will probably never hear the word "melanoma" again!  

                        • September 18, 2015 at 1:05 pm
                        michaelk
                        Participant

                          Thank you so much for your response!

                          I just don't understand how it could be .85mm but Clark IV.  Those seem to contradict.

                          • September 18, 2015 at 1:05 pm
                          michaelk
                          Participant

                            Thank you so much for your response!

                            I just don't understand how it could be .85mm but Clark IV.  Those seem to contradict.

                            • September 18, 2015 at 2:18 pm
                            Never Gonna Stop
                            Participant

                              A lot of it is influenced by area of the body. The dermal layers aren't universal in thickness throughout the body. In areas where the dermal layers are thinner, 0.85 mm will invade deeper into the tissue. Whereas in places where the dermal layers are thicker, you could have a lower Clark level with the same thickness.

                              • September 18, 2015 at 2:18 pm
                              Never Gonna Stop
                              Participant

                                A lot of it is influenced by area of the body. The dermal layers aren't universal in thickness throughout the body. In areas where the dermal layers are thinner, 0.85 mm will invade deeper into the tissue. Whereas in places where the dermal layers are thicker, you could have a lower Clark level with the same thickness.

                                • September 18, 2015 at 7:04 pm
                                michaelk
                                Participant

                                  Thanks for your explanation, that makes perfect sense!  I mean, they didn't even get a piece of skin anywhere near 4mm deep on my arm, so that makes sense.

                                  • September 18, 2015 at 7:04 pm
                                  michaelk
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks for your explanation, that makes perfect sense!  I mean, they didn't even get a piece of skin anywhere near 4mm deep on my arm, so that makes sense.

                                    • September 18, 2015 at 7:04 pm
                                    michaelk
                                    Participant

                                      Thanks for your explanation, that makes perfect sense!  I mean, they didn't even get a piece of skin anywhere near 4mm deep on my arm, so that makes sense.

                                      • September 18, 2015 at 2:18 pm
                                      Never Gonna Stop
                                      Participant

                                        A lot of it is influenced by area of the body. The dermal layers aren't universal in thickness throughout the body. In areas where the dermal layers are thinner, 0.85 mm will invade deeper into the tissue. Whereas in places where the dermal layers are thicker, you could have a lower Clark level with the same thickness.

                                        • September 18, 2015 at 1:05 pm
                                        michaelk
                                        Participant

                                          Thank you so much for your response!

                                          I just don't understand how it could be .85mm but Clark IV.  Those seem to contradict.

                                        • September 17, 2015 at 8:15 pm
                                        casagrayson
                                        Participant

                                          Clark Level IV is NOT the same as Stage IV melanoma, just in case that is what you thought.  At .85mm, some doctors won't even offer a sentinel node biopsy, as your lesion is such a low risk.  The most likely scenario is that you will have a WLE (wide local excision) to make sure the entire lesion is gone with wide margins, and no other treatment will be required.  You will be asked to some back every three months or so for a full-body skin check, and you will be told to use sunscreen every day and be on the lookout for any change in moles.  And you will probably never hear the word "melanoma" again!  

                                          • September 17, 2015 at 8:15 pm
                                          casagrayson
                                          Participant

                                            Clark Level IV is NOT the same as Stage IV melanoma, just in case that is what you thought.  At .85mm, some doctors won't even offer a sentinel node biopsy, as your lesion is such a low risk.  The most likely scenario is that you will have a WLE (wide local excision) to make sure the entire lesion is gone with wide margins, and no other treatment will be required.  You will be asked to some back every three months or so for a full-body skin check, and you will be told to use sunscreen every day and be on the lookout for any change in moles.  And you will probably never hear the word "melanoma" again!  

                                            • September 20, 2015 at 4:05 am
                                            ET-SF
                                            Participant

                                              What others have said.  Plus, a mitotic rate of 1/mm^2 means it's pretty slow growing, which is obviously a very good thing.

                                              FAIW, the Clark level isn't a very important predictor of outcome.  The Breslow depth (.85mm) is much more important, and that's a pretty shallow depth.

                                                • September 22, 2015 at 12:51 am
                                                michaelk
                                                Participant

                                                  Thank you for replying. I feel much better having studied more and reading your responses. Thanks so much. 

                                                  • September 22, 2015 at 12:51 am
                                                  michaelk
                                                  Participant

                                                    Thank you for replying. I feel much better having studied more and reading your responses. Thanks so much. 

                                                    • September 22, 2015 at 12:51 am
                                                    michaelk
                                                    Participant

                                                      Thank you for replying. I feel much better having studied more and reading your responses. Thanks so much. 

                                                    • September 20, 2015 at 4:05 am
                                                    ET-SF
                                                    Participant

                                                      What others have said.  Plus, a mitotic rate of 1/mm^2 means it's pretty slow growing, which is obviously a very good thing.

                                                      FAIW, the Clark level isn't a very important predictor of outcome.  The Breslow depth (.85mm) is much more important, and that's a pretty shallow depth.

                                                      • September 20, 2015 at 4:05 am
                                                      ET-SF
                                                      Participant

                                                        What others have said.  Plus, a mitotic rate of 1/mm^2 means it's pretty slow growing, which is obviously a very good thing.

                                                        FAIW, the Clark level isn't a very important predictor of outcome.  The Breslow depth (.85mm) is much more important, and that's a pretty shallow depth.

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