Stage 0 to positive lymph node in 4 months

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage 0 to positive lymph node in 4 months

  • Post
    • April 8, 2016 at 5:18 pm
    Mamapegela
    Participant

      Hi.  I am a 57 year old active healthy (was!)  individual.  I had a very thin (.35mm) melanoma removed from my neck by wide excision in Nov. 2015.  Because of the thinness no further treatment except skin checks were recommended.  Fast forward to March of this year: I noticed an enlarged lymph node near the excision site and watched it for about a month before calling my dermtologist.  She was concerned enough to refer me to a sugeon but said it was most likely not melanoma.  Unfortunately, it was.  I am now awaiting scans and have been referred to the Melanoma Clinic at the University of Michigan but won't see them for 3 weeks. 

      Naturally, I am pretty concerned.  Does anyone else have a history of this kind of quick progression from a small lesion?  I have been reassured by the melanoma clinic nurse that 3 weeks wait will not change anything, but it seems like a long time! 

      I've been reading other's stories- an am glad there is a place for us to meet and talk.

      Thank you!

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    • Replies
        • April 8, 2016 at 5:36 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Just for clarification, your original lesion was stage I, not stage 0.  If any depth is listed, it is stage I.  Just clarifying for future readers.

          I can't comment on the quickness only to say yes, it is unusual for a lesion your size to spread, and yes it is unusual for it to happen that quickly.  Lucky you (being sarcastic here).  The waiting part is the worst.  In a strange way, it almost seems "local" because the primary and neck nodes are so close, it probably hasn't had a chance to really go other places.  Sorry you had to join our club here but it's a good place to ask questions.  Good luck!

           

          • April 8, 2016 at 5:36 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            Just for clarification, your original lesion was stage I, not stage 0.  If any depth is listed, it is stage I.  Just clarifying for future readers.

            I can't comment on the quickness only to say yes, it is unusual for a lesion your size to spread, and yes it is unusual for it to happen that quickly.  Lucky you (being sarcastic here).  The waiting part is the worst.  In a strange way, it almost seems "local" because the primary and neck nodes are so close, it probably hasn't had a chance to really go other places.  Sorry you had to join our club here but it's a good place to ask questions.  Good luck!

             

              • April 8, 2016 at 9:49 pm
              Mamapegela
              Participant

                Thanks for correcting me- I guess stage 0 would be no melanoma at all! I have a lot to learn.  The lymph node  was about 1.5 inches from the original melanoma.  I'm confused and of course frightened. Thanks for your feedback.

                • April 8, 2016 at 9:49 pm
                Mamapegela
                Participant

                  Thanks for correcting me- I guess stage 0 would be no melanoma at all! I have a lot to learn.  The lymph node  was about 1.5 inches from the original melanoma.  I'm confused and of course frightened. Thanks for your feedback.

                  • April 9, 2016 at 1:26 am
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    There actually is a stage 0.  It is called 'in situ'.  It means that the melanoma is confined to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The melanoma is growing radially, outward on the skin surface.  It typically goes thru this phase before it penetrates the dermis and starts growing vertically.  

                    The confused and frightened part is par for the course.  It will be a little easier when you have a plan.  Waiting limbo is tough.

                    • April 9, 2016 at 1:26 am
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      There actually is a stage 0.  It is called 'in situ'.  It means that the melanoma is confined to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The melanoma is growing radially, outward on the skin surface.  It typically goes thru this phase before it penetrates the dermis and starts growing vertically.  

                      The confused and frightened part is par for the course.  It will be a little easier when you have a plan.  Waiting limbo is tough.

                      • April 9, 2016 at 1:26 am
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        There actually is a stage 0.  It is called 'in situ'.  It means that the melanoma is confined to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The melanoma is growing radially, outward on the skin surface.  It typically goes thru this phase before it penetrates the dermis and starts growing vertically.  

                        The confused and frightened part is par for the course.  It will be a little easier when you have a plan.  Waiting limbo is tough.

                        • April 8, 2016 at 9:49 pm
                        Mamapegela
                        Participant

                          Thanks for correcting me- I guess stage 0 would be no melanoma at all! I have a lot to learn.  The lymph node  was about 1.5 inches from the original melanoma.  I'm confused and of course frightened. Thanks for your feedback.

                        • April 8, 2016 at 5:36 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Just for clarification, your original lesion was stage I, not stage 0.  If any depth is listed, it is stage I.  Just clarifying for future readers.

                          I can't comment on the quickness only to say yes, it is unusual for a lesion your size to spread, and yes it is unusual for it to happen that quickly.  Lucky you (being sarcastic here).  The waiting part is the worst.  In a strange way, it almost seems "local" because the primary and neck nodes are so close, it probably hasn't had a chance to really go other places.  Sorry you had to join our club here but it's a good place to ask questions.  Good luck!

                           

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