What Is Stage Three Unresectable Melanoma?

Well, Charlie, for an example, Don had some infected lymph nodes that were located in an area in his inner shoulder that was right under where a bunch of blood vessels and nerves congregated. We were told in the earliest stages before we knew he was already Stage IV that that area would be considered "unresectable" except to only the uppermost echelon of oncology surgeons, and that if the tumors had gotten wrapped into the nerve endings and/or blood vessels, no one would touch it.

So, apparently, there ARE actually places that would be considered Stage 3 and unresectable…

Michelle, wife of Don

Well, Charlie, for an example, Don had some infected lymph nodes that were located in an area in his inner shoulder that was right under where a bunch of blood vessels and nerves congregated. We were told in the earliest stages before we knew he was already Stage IV that that area would be considered "unresectable" except to only the uppermost echelon of oncology surgeons, and that if the tumors had gotten wrapped into the nerve endings and/or blood vessels, no one would touch it.

So, apparently, there ARE actually places that would be considered Stage 3 and unresectable…

Michelle, wife of Don

Well, Charlie, for an example, Don had some infected lymph nodes that were located in an area in his inner shoulder that was right under where a bunch of blood vessels and nerves congregated. We were told in the earliest stages before we knew he was already Stage IV that that area would be considered "unresectable" except to only the uppermost echelon of oncology surgeons, and that if the tumors had gotten wrapped into the nerve endings and/or blood vessels, no one would touch it.

So, apparently, there ARE actually places that would be considered Stage 3 and unresectable…

Michelle, wife of Don

Charlie, my late wife had an unresectable tumour in the lymph node next to her aorta. A top surgical oncologist tried to remove it, but decided to abandon the attempt due to the proximity of the aorta.

The primary was on the chest, and only one other node was found to have melanoma in it. We were not given a stage at the time, and that could certainly be open to interpretation.

Best wishes

Frank from Australia

Charlie, my late wife had an unresectable tumour in the lymph node next to her aorta. A top surgical oncologist tried to remove it, but decided to abandon the attempt due to the proximity of the aorta.

The primary was on the chest, and only one other node was found to have melanoma in it. We were not given a stage at the time, and that could certainly be open to interpretation.

Best wishes

Frank from Australia

Charlie, my late wife had an unresectable tumour in the lymph node next to her aorta. A top surgical oncologist tried to remove it, but decided to abandon the attempt due to the proximity of the aorta.

The primary was on the chest, and only one other node was found to have melanoma in it. We were not given a stage at the time, and that could certainly be open to interpretation.

Best wishes

Frank from Australia

Charlie,

I agree with you,who cares if it's resectable or not.  If some one is stage III regardless of resectable status allow them to have the drugs.  Anyone who thinks just because a lymph node has been resected that all cancer cells are gone is simply naive.  It's all politics and $$.

Charlie,

I agree with you,who cares if it's resectable or not.  If some one is stage III regardless of resectable status allow them to have the drugs.  Anyone who thinks just because a lymph node has been resected that all cancer cells are gone is simply naive.  It's all politics and $$.

Charlie,

I agree with you,who cares if it's resectable or not.  If some one is stage III regardless of resectable status allow them to have the drugs.  Anyone who thinks just because a lymph node has been resected that all cancer cells are gone is simply naive.  It's all politics and $$.

Hi Charlie,

I don't have the answer, but I LOVE the question!!

Cristy, Stage IV

Hi Charlie,

I don't have the answer, but I LOVE the question!!

Cristy, Stage IV

Hi Charlie,

I don't have the answer, but I LOVE the question!!

Cristy, Stage IV

Yes, I was a little slow on the uptake too, Charlie. I did qualify based on that definition–so I'm supposed to be happy that I'm 3C instead of 3B???

great question.

karen

Yes, I was a little slow on the uptake too, Charlie. I did qualify based on that definition–so I'm supposed to be happy that I'm 3C instead of 3B???

great question.

karen

Yes, I was a little slow on the uptake too, Charlie. I did qualify based on that definition–so I'm supposed to be happy that I'm 3C instead of 3B???

great question.

karen

Charlie, my good man.  I think people are finally seeing the point.  I have long wished they would have a trial of a shortened trreatment time for stage 2 people (wonder if just one or two doses would make a difference in the re-occurance rate?  Insurance would hate that!  The increased production and sales volumn would then possibly lead to a reduced treatment cost.

Charlie, my good man.  I think people are finally seeing the point.  I have long wished they would have a trial of a shortened trreatment time for stage 2 people (wonder if just one or two doses would make a difference in the re-occurance rate?  Insurance would hate that!  The increased production and sales volumn would then possibly lead to a reduced treatment cost.

Charlie, my good man.  I think people are finally seeing the point.  I have long wished they would have a trial of a shortened trreatment time for stage 2 people (wonder if just one or two doses would make a difference in the re-occurance rate?  Insurance would hate that!  The increased production and sales volumn would then possibly lead to a reduced treatment cost.

Charlie —

I agree with your contention that "unresectable" is political BS that allows insurance companies to deny coverage to credulous patients and ONCs.  However, we can use the language to our advantage…Say, for example, that you were a Stage 3a or b patient.  Now, perhaps your ONC decides s/he could not be confident that your Stage 3 tumor IS resectable.  S/he can declare it unresectable, start Yervoy, and then take the tumor out.  I know of cases where insurance has covered exactly this situation.

Charlie —

I agree with your contention that "unresectable" is political BS that allows insurance companies to deny coverage to credulous patients and ONCs.  However, we can use the language to our advantage…Say, for example, that you were a Stage 3a or b patient.  Now, perhaps your ONC decides s/he could not be confident that your Stage 3 tumor IS resectable.  S/he can declare it unresectable, start Yervoy, and then take the tumor out.  I know of cases where insurance has covered exactly this situation.

Charlie —

I agree with your contention that "unresectable" is political BS that allows insurance companies to deny coverage to credulous patients and ONCs.  However, we can use the language to our advantage…Say, for example, that you were a Stage 3a or b patient.  Now, perhaps your ONC decides s/he could not be confident that your Stage 3 tumor IS resectable.  S/he can declare it unresectable, start Yervoy, and then take the tumor out.  I know of cases where insurance has covered exactly this situation.