Help with pathology report

Forums General Melanoma Community Help with pathology report

  • Post
    tkilburn
    Participant

      Can anyone help me understand what all the stuff on the pathology report means? 

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        Julie in SoCal
        Participant

          Yes if you post it here there might be people who can help.

          Julie

            tkilburn
            Participant

              Here is what came back from my biopsy on the pathology report. Any that can give me some information from it I would greatly appreciate it.

              – Diagnosis:

              -A. Skin, left upper arm, shave biopsy:

              – Malignant melanoma, superficial spreading type, with the following features:

              – Approximate Breslow thickness: At least 0.50cm

              – Clark's level: At least IV

              – Ulceration: Not identified

              – Mitoses: None identified

              – Lymphocytic infiltrate: Non-brisk

              – Rregression: Patchy dermal fibrosis and mild chronic inflammation compatible with partial regression

              – Lymphovascular invasion: Not identified

              – Perineural invasion: Not identified

              – Satellitosis: Not Identified

              – Melanoma in siut: Present

              – Margins: Involved

               

              Sections show skin with an atypical melanocytic proliferation located both at the dermoepidermal junction and within the dermis. Junctional melanocytes are arranged in variably sized nests as well as a prominent single cell growth pattern. MART-1/tyrosinase immunostain is performed and there are areas of confluent growth as well as pagetoid spread. Similarly atypical melanocytes are present within the dermis and are associated with patchy fibrosis and chronic inflammation. There is also a separate population of melanocytes within the dermis that appears fairly bland which is consistant with antecedent nevus. The invasive component is present at the deep inked margin. Therefore, the above Breslow thickness and Clark's level are estimations. Appropriate re-excision and clinical follow-up are recommended.

               

              debwray
              Participant

                Hi,

                From my understanding..

                They have identified a superficial spreading melanoma.

                It was a shave biopsy and the whole of it has not been removed so from the bit sent to the lab they can only estimate the clarks level and breslow thickness.

                No ulceration that is good

                It has features that indicate it may have regressed. is your immune system has attacked it and made some of the melanoma e!ement go away.

                No satellites ie smaller in transit lesions around the main.. But given not the whole removed . this is to be expected.

                The melanoma needs to be fully surgically removed from your arm with clear margins .

                If you go to cancer research UK type in melanoma and breslow and Clark's level there is more detail to get your head around.

                The big messages are. There is still some melanoma that needs removing surgically in order to leave a clear margin.

                Some of the form refers to features you might see in a larger tissue sample and because this is small and needs complete excision it does not tell you a lot. 

                So you need to get it removed and you may be advised to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy done at the same time to check for spreadvia the lymphatics. Because it was a shave biopsy it will be difficult to add the two bits of depth together to get an accurate measure of the maximum thickness.

                Good luck..posting now before out of charge

                debwray
                Participant

                  Hi,

                  From my understanding..

                  They have identified a superficial spreading melanoma.

                  It was a shave biopsy and the whole of it has not been removed so from the bit sent to the lab they can only estimate the clarks level and breslow thickness.

                  No ulceration that is good

                  It has features that indicate it may have regressed. is your immune system has attacked it and made some of the melanoma e!ement go away.

                  No satellites ie smaller in transit lesions around the main.. But given not the whole removed . this is to be expected.

                  The melanoma needs to be fully surgically removed from your arm with clear margins .

                  If you go to cancer research UK type in melanoma and breslow and Clark's level there is more detail to get your head around.

                  The big messages are. There is still some melanoma that needs removing surgically in order to leave a clear margin.

                  Some of the form refers to features you might see in a larger tissue sample and because this is small and needs complete excision it does not tell you a lot. 

                  So you need to get it removed and you may be advised to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy done at the same time to check for spreadvia the lymphatics. Because it was a shave biopsy it will be difficult to add the two bits of depth together to get an accurate measure of the maximum thickness.

                  Good luck..posting now before out of charge

                  debwray
                  Participant

                    Hi,

                    From my understanding..

                    They have identified a superficial spreading melanoma.

                    It was a shave biopsy and the whole of it has not been removed so from the bit sent to the lab they can only estimate the clarks level and breslow thickness.

                    No ulceration that is good

                    It has features that indicate it may have regressed. is your immune system has attacked it and made some of the melanoma e!ement go away.

                    No satellites ie smaller in transit lesions around the main.. But given not the whole removed . this is to be expected.

                    The melanoma needs to be fully surgically removed from your arm with clear margins .

                    If you go to cancer research UK type in melanoma and breslow and Clark's level there is more detail to get your head around.

                    The big messages are. There is still some melanoma that needs removing surgically in order to leave a clear margin.

                    Some of the form refers to features you might see in a larger tissue sample and because this is small and needs complete excision it does not tell you a lot. 

                    So you need to get it removed and you may be advised to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy done at the same time to check for spreadvia the lymphatics. Because it was a shave biopsy it will be difficult to add the two bits of depth together to get an accurate measure of the maximum thickness.

                    Good luck..posting now before out of charge

                    debwray
                    Participant

                      Hi,

                      From my understanding..

                      They have identified a superficial spreading melanoma.

                      It was a shave biopsy and the whole of it has not been removed so from the bit sent to the lab they can only estimate the clarks level and breslow thickness.

                      No ulceration that is good

                      It has features that indicate it may have regressed. is your immune system has attacked it and made some of the melanoma e!ement go away.

                      No satellites ie smaller in transit lesions around the main.. But given not the whole removed . this is to be expected.

                      The melanoma needs to be fully surgically removed from your arm with clear margins .

                      If you go to cancer research UK type in melanoma and breslow and Clark's level there is more detail to get your head around.

                      The big messages are. There is still some melanoma that needs removing surgically in order to leave a clear margin.

                      Some of the form refers to features you might see in a larger tissue sample and because this is small and needs complete excision it does not tell you a lot. 

                      So you need to get it removed and you may be advised to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy done at the same time to check for spreadvia the lymphatics. Because it was a shave biopsy it will be difficult to add the two bits of depth together to get an accurate measure of the maximum thickness.

                      Good luck..posting now before out of charge

                      debwray
                      Participant

                        Hi,

                        From my understanding..

                        They have identified a superficial spreading melanoma.

                        It was a shave biopsy and the whole of it has not been removed so from the bit sent to the lab they can only estimate the clarks level and breslow thickness.

                        No ulceration that is good

                        It has features that indicate it may have regressed. is your immune system has attacked it and made some of the melanoma e!ement go away.

                        No satellites ie smaller in transit lesions around the main.. But given not the whole removed . this is to be expected.

                        The melanoma needs to be fully surgically removed from your arm with clear margins .

                        If you go to cancer research UK type in melanoma and breslow and Clark's level there is more detail to get your head around.

                        The big messages are. There is still some melanoma that needs removing surgically in order to leave a clear margin.

                        Some of the form refers to features you might see in a larger tissue sample and because this is small and needs complete excision it does not tell you a lot. 

                        So you need to get it removed and you may be advised to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy done at the same time to check for spreadvia the lymphatics. Because it was a shave biopsy it will be difficult to add the two bits of depth together to get an accurate measure of the maximum thickness.

                        Good luck..posting now before out of charge

                        tkilburn
                        Participant

                          Thank you so much. I was sort of wondering if that was the case but it makes me feel better to have someone else confirm it. I am getting it remove this Thursday so hopefully will have more answers then. Thanks again. 

                          tkilburn
                          Participant

                            Thank you so much. I was sort of wondering if that was the case but it makes me feel better to have someone else confirm it. I am getting it remove this Thursday so hopefully will have more answers then. Thanks again. 

                            Janner
                            Participant

                              I would ask about a sentinel node biopsy BEFORE your wide excision appointment.  This procedure can only be done prior to the wide excision.  The test may not be accurate when done after the excision.   Lymph nodes are usually tested when the melanoma is over 1mm but since you do not know your full depth, it makes sense to ask the question now and not wish you had done that procedure later.

                              Janner
                              Participant

                                I would ask about a sentinel node biopsy BEFORE your wide excision appointment.  This procedure can only be done prior to the wide excision.  The test may not be accurate when done after the excision.   Lymph nodes are usually tested when the melanoma is over 1mm but since you do not know your full depth, it makes sense to ask the question now and not wish you had done that procedure later.

                                Janner
                                Participant

                                  I would ask about a sentinel node biopsy BEFORE your wide excision appointment.  This procedure can only be done prior to the wide excision.  The test may not be accurate when done after the excision.   Lymph nodes are usually tested when the melanoma is over 1mm but since you do not know your full depth, it makes sense to ask the question now and not wish you had done that procedure later.

                                  tkilburn
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you so much. I was sort of wondering if that was the case but it makes me feel better to have someone else confirm it. I am getting it remove this Thursday so hopefully will have more answers then. Thanks again. 

                                    debwray
                                    Participant

                                      Hi,

                                      From my understanding..

                                      They have identified a superficial spreading melanoma.

                                      It was a shave biopsy and the whole of it has not been removed so from the bit sent to the lab they can only estimate the clarks level and breslow thickness.

                                      No ulceration that is good

                                      It has features that indicate it may have regressed. is your immune system has attacked it and made some of the melanoma e!ement go away.

                                      No satellites ie smaller in transit lesions around the main.. But given not the whole removed . this is to be expected.

                                      The melanoma needs to be fully surgically removed from your arm with clear margins .

                                      If you go to cancer research UK type in melanoma and breslow and Clark's level there is more detail to get your head around.

                                      The big messages are. There is still some melanoma that needs removing surgically in order to leave a clear margin.

                                      Some of the form refers to features you might see in a larger tissue sample and because this is small and needs complete excision it does not tell you a lot. 

                                      So you need to get it removed and you may be advised to have a sentinel lymph node biopsy done at the same time to check for spreadvia the lymphatics. Because it was a shave biopsy it will be difficult to add the two bits of depth together to get an accurate measure of the maximum thickness.

                                      Good luck..posting now before out of charge

                                      tkilburn
                                      Participant

                                        Here is what came back from my biopsy on the pathology report. Any that can give me some information from it I would greatly appreciate it.

                                        – Diagnosis:

                                        -A. Skin, left upper arm, shave biopsy:

                                        – Malignant melanoma, superficial spreading type, with the following features:

                                        – Approximate Breslow thickness: At least 0.50cm

                                        – Clark's level: At least IV

                                        – Ulceration: Not identified

                                        – Mitoses: None identified

                                        – Lymphocytic infiltrate: Non-brisk

                                        – Rregression: Patchy dermal fibrosis and mild chronic inflammation compatible with partial regression

                                        – Lymphovascular invasion: Not identified

                                        – Perineural invasion: Not identified

                                        – Satellitosis: Not Identified

                                        – Melanoma in siut: Present

                                        – Margins: Involved

                                         

                                        Sections show skin with an atypical melanocytic proliferation located both at the dermoepidermal junction and within the dermis. Junctional melanocytes are arranged in variably sized nests as well as a prominent single cell growth pattern. MART-1/tyrosinase immunostain is performed and there are areas of confluent growth as well as pagetoid spread. Similarly atypical melanocytes are present within the dermis and are associated with patchy fibrosis and chronic inflammation. There is also a separate population of melanocytes within the dermis that appears fairly bland which is consistant with antecedent nevus. The invasive component is present at the deep inked margin. Therefore, the above Breslow thickness and Clark's level are estimations. Appropriate re-excision and clinical follow-up are recommended.

                                         

                                        tkilburn
                                        Participant

                                          Here is what came back from my biopsy on the pathology report. Any that can give me some information from it I would greatly appreciate it.

                                          – Diagnosis:

                                          -A. Skin, left upper arm, shave biopsy:

                                          – Malignant melanoma, superficial spreading type, with the following features:

                                          – Approximate Breslow thickness: At least 0.50cm

                                          – Clark's level: At least IV

                                          – Ulceration: Not identified

                                          – Mitoses: None identified

                                          – Lymphocytic infiltrate: Non-brisk

                                          – Rregression: Patchy dermal fibrosis and mild chronic inflammation compatible with partial regression

                                          – Lymphovascular invasion: Not identified

                                          – Perineural invasion: Not identified

                                          – Satellitosis: Not Identified

                                          – Melanoma in siut: Present

                                          – Margins: Involved

                                           

                                          Sections show skin with an atypical melanocytic proliferation located both at the dermoepidermal junction and within the dermis. Junctional melanocytes are arranged in variably sized nests as well as a prominent single cell growth pattern. MART-1/tyrosinase immunostain is performed and there are areas of confluent growth as well as pagetoid spread. Similarly atypical melanocytes are present within the dermis and are associated with patchy fibrosis and chronic inflammation. There is also a separate population of melanocytes within the dermis that appears fairly bland which is consistant with antecedent nevus. The invasive component is present at the deep inked margin. Therefore, the above Breslow thickness and Clark's level are estimations. Appropriate re-excision and clinical follow-up are recommended.

                                           

                                        Julie in SoCal
                                        Participant

                                          Yes if you post it here there might be people who can help.

                                          Julie

                                          Julie in SoCal
                                          Participant

                                            Yes if you post it here there might be people who can help.

                                            Julie

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