› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Waiting for WLE and referral to Derm.
- This topic has 6 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 10 months ago by
JerryfromFauq.
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- August 7, 2014 at 5:31 pm
I recently joined this blog when I was told by my GP that I had Melanoma. I jumped to every conclusion in the book because I have a history of Anxiety and a little Hypochindriac. Since being told about the Melanoma I have started t feel sick have a cough and swolen neck/glands. Of course I am not a doctor but my family says it's because since I was told the news I have been online reading everyone's stories and stressing about every little mark and mole on my body. I met with my GP after the weekend and asked a bunch of questions (depth, stage of cancer, next steps, etc). Most she didn't know but I did request a copy of my histopathology report. The diagnosis say "MELANOMA IN SITU". My doctor says she car say for sure it's spread bit she doesn't think so. She also said she was thinking about sending me for a CT but said she would leave that up to the plastic surgeon. I am still waiting to be referred to a plastic surgeon as well as a dermatologist so he can examine the rest of my moles.
What I am wondering is, should I get a second opnion? Could the diagnosis be wrong and it's worse? I am also pan acing about all my other moles and marks. I am convinced there are more. The mole I had removed was VERY obvious (black, then light, slightly raised, odly shaped), none that I have now look like that but I still worry.
Thanks for your help! I am sorry for all the questions but I was just told a week ago today 🙁
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- August 7, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Melanoma in situ is stage 0. You don't need a CT scan. You don't need a sentinel node biopsy. You just need extra margins taken (WLE). Basically, melanoma in situ is considered cured with surgery. Because it is located exclusively in the epidermis (in situ means in place – hasn't spread from initial location), it lacks the ability to spread. Both blood and lymph vessels are not located in the epidermis. If you have to have melanoma, stage 0 is where you want to be. Nothing is ever 100%, but in situ is as close to cured as you can get.
Most people with melanoma ONLY HAVE ONE primary melanoma. <10% every have more than one. If all your remaining moles look similar to each other, then I wouldn't be worrying about any of them. Just like you saw with your first one, it's the "ugly duckling" you are looking for.
If you want to get a second opinion, that's fine. But just get it on the pathology. If the pathology was read by a dermatopathologist at a large institution, most likely it was already reviewed by more than one pathologist. You do want someone reading the pathology who looks at skin biopsies and melanoma all the time. Chances are good that the initial diagnosis is accurate and most likely, things won't be worse with a second opinion. However, I'd probably discuss the need for a second opinion with a dermatologist. They would be the best resource and know if you can trust the original opinion (based on who wrote the report).
Most primary care physicians really know little about melanoma. Get the appointment with a dermatologist who can more accurately discuss your situation. But try to breathe, this is most likely a minor little bump in the road. Don't imagine metastases where none exist.
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- August 7, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Melanoma in situ is stage 0. You don't need a CT scan. You don't need a sentinel node biopsy. You just need extra margins taken (WLE). Basically, melanoma in situ is considered cured with surgery. Because it is located exclusively in the epidermis (in situ means in place – hasn't spread from initial location), it lacks the ability to spread. Both blood and lymph vessels are not located in the epidermis. If you have to have melanoma, stage 0 is where you want to be. Nothing is ever 100%, but in situ is as close to cured as you can get.
Most people with melanoma ONLY HAVE ONE primary melanoma. <10% every have more than one. If all your remaining moles look similar to each other, then I wouldn't be worrying about any of them. Just like you saw with your first one, it's the "ugly duckling" you are looking for.
If you want to get a second opinion, that's fine. But just get it on the pathology. If the pathology was read by a dermatopathologist at a large institution, most likely it was already reviewed by more than one pathologist. You do want someone reading the pathology who looks at skin biopsies and melanoma all the time. Chances are good that the initial diagnosis is accurate and most likely, things won't be worse with a second opinion. However, I'd probably discuss the need for a second opinion with a dermatologist. They would be the best resource and know if you can trust the original opinion (based on who wrote the report).
Most primary care physicians really know little about melanoma. Get the appointment with a dermatologist who can more accurately discuss your situation. But try to breathe, this is most likely a minor little bump in the road. Don't imagine metastases where none exist.
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- August 7, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Melanoma in situ is stage 0. You don't need a CT scan. You don't need a sentinel node biopsy. You just need extra margins taken (WLE). Basically, melanoma in situ is considered cured with surgery. Because it is located exclusively in the epidermis (in situ means in place – hasn't spread from initial location), it lacks the ability to spread. Both blood and lymph vessels are not located in the epidermis. If you have to have melanoma, stage 0 is where you want to be. Nothing is ever 100%, but in situ is as close to cured as you can get.
Most people with melanoma ONLY HAVE ONE primary melanoma. <10% every have more than one. If all your remaining moles look similar to each other, then I wouldn't be worrying about any of them. Just like you saw with your first one, it's the "ugly duckling" you are looking for.
If you want to get a second opinion, that's fine. But just get it on the pathology. If the pathology was read by a dermatopathologist at a large institution, most likely it was already reviewed by more than one pathologist. You do want someone reading the pathology who looks at skin biopsies and melanoma all the time. Chances are good that the initial diagnosis is accurate and most likely, things won't be worse with a second opinion. However, I'd probably discuss the need for a second opinion with a dermatologist. They would be the best resource and know if you can trust the original opinion (based on who wrote the report).
Most primary care physicians really know little about melanoma. Get the appointment with a dermatologist who can more accurately discuss your situation. But try to breathe, this is most likely a minor little bump in the road. Don't imagine metastases where none exist.
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- August 10, 2014 at 3:30 am
Welcome to where we don't waant to be! Janner gave great advice. She knows what she is talking about. I know it's hard to be calm at first diagnosis.
It really takes about a year to get CALM. What you need is to be Vigilant, NOT paranoid. Learn, live life and enjoy life. -
- August 10, 2014 at 3:30 am
Welcome to where we don't waant to be! Janner gave great advice. She knows what she is talking about. I know it's hard to be calm at first diagnosis.
It really takes about a year to get CALM. What you need is to be Vigilant, NOT paranoid. Learn, live life and enjoy life. -
- August 10, 2014 at 3:30 am
Welcome to where we don't waant to be! Janner gave great advice. She knows what she is talking about. I know it's hard to be calm at first diagnosis.
It really takes about a year to get CALM. What you need is to be Vigilant, NOT paranoid. Learn, live life and enjoy life.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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