New To Melanoma – A Few Questions

Before going for your wide excision, you should talk to your oncologist about a sentinel node biopsy – these procedures can be done at the same time…and should be. And if you haven't seen an oncologist familiar with melanoma, you should. Here is a post that might help:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2016/08/sentinel-lymph-node-disection-important.html

I wish you well. Celeste

Before going for your wide excision, you should talk to your oncologist about a sentinel node biopsy – these procedures can be done at the same time…and should be. And if you haven't seen an oncologist familiar with melanoma, you should. Here is a post that might help:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2016/08/sentinel-lymph-node-disection-important.html

I wish you well. Celeste

Before going for your wide excision, you should talk to your oncologist about a sentinel node biopsy – these procedures can be done at the same time…and should be. And if you haven't seen an oncologist familiar with melanoma, you should. Here is a post that might help:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2016/08/sentinel-lymph-node-disection-important.html

I wish you well. Celeste

No melanoma is good news, but in situ is as good as it gets. Were the margins on your first excision clean? If so, there is every chance the remainder is, too, and you are looking at a simple melanoma in situ with practically metastatic potential (not really any way to spread). This means you just need annual skin checks. In situ WLE (wide level excision) is 0.5mm margin all around, so you can expect a scar of 6cm or so, and a few stitches. It will be excised in the shape of an eye or a football as this is best for stitching/healing. I think it's just watching your own skin and having annual checks from here on in for you. Hope it all goes well and glad you seem to have caught it at a very early stage.

No melanoma is good news, but in situ is as good as it gets. Were the margins on your first excision clean? If so, there is every chance the remainder is, too, and you are looking at a simple melanoma in situ with practically metastatic potential (not really any way to spread). This means you just need annual skin checks. In situ WLE (wide level excision) is 0.5mm margin all around, so you can expect a scar of 6cm or so, and a few stitches. It will be excised in the shape of an eye or a football as this is best for stitching/healing. I think it's just watching your own skin and having annual checks from here on in for you. Hope it all goes well and glad you seem to have caught it at a very early stage.

No melanoma is good news, but in situ is as good as it gets. Were the margins on your first excision clean? If so, there is every chance the remainder is, too, and you are looking at a simple melanoma in situ with practically metastatic potential (not really any way to spread). This means you just need annual skin checks. In situ WLE (wide level excision) is 0.5mm margin all around, so you can expect a scar of 6cm or so, and a few stitches. It will be excised in the shape of an eye or a football as this is best for stitching/healing. I think it's just watching your own skin and having annual checks from here on in for you. Hope it all goes well and glad you seem to have caught it at a very early stage.

SNB isn't typically done for in situ, definitely not recommended.  As long as your deep margin is clear (almost impossible not to be with in situ), the re-excision is it.  My in situ scar is about two niches but it can depend on  the anatomy.  Six month follow ups probably more likely.

SNB isn't typically done for in situ, definitely not recommended.  As long as your deep margin is clear (almost impossible not to be with in situ), the re-excision is it.  My in situ scar is about two niches but it can depend on  the anatomy.  Six month follow ups probably more likely.

SNB isn't typically done for in situ, definitely not recommended.  As long as your deep margin is clear (almost impossible not to be with in situ), the re-excision is it.  My in situ scar is about two niches but it can depend on  the anatomy.  Six month follow ups probably more likely.

Hi there,

i am am not an expert. I am just a mom who took her 17yr old son to get a mole removed that bugged him when he wore a hat. It was tiny. Nothing….I thought. The labs came  back benign. Then a lump a few weeks later. It was too late. I just wish I would have known in situ. I would have gone to the best melanoma specialist available to me day 1. I am in month 25 with my son. 25 of the hardest months of our lives. You are in a good spot as melanoma goes. You should do great! Just DO NOT play with this one. Never underestimate this disease. Get opinions, and good luck:) 

With love,

Kerri–momofjake

Hi there,

i am am not an expert. I am just a mom who took her 17yr old son to get a mole removed that bugged him when he wore a hat. It was tiny. Nothing….I thought. The labs came  back benign. Then a lump a few weeks later. It was too late. I just wish I would have known in situ. I would have gone to the best melanoma specialist available to me day 1. I am in month 25 with my son. 25 of the hardest months of our lives. You are in a good spot as melanoma goes. You should do great! Just DO NOT play with this one. Never underestimate this disease. Get opinions, and good luck:) 

With love,

Kerri–momofjake

Hi there,

i am am not an expert. I am just a mom who took her 17yr old son to get a mole removed that bugged him when he wore a hat. It was tiny. Nothing….I thought. The labs came  back benign. Then a lump a few weeks later. It was too late. I just wish I would have known in situ. I would have gone to the best melanoma specialist available to me day 1. I am in month 25 with my son. 25 of the hardest months of our lives. You are in a good spot as melanoma goes. You should do great! Just DO NOT play with this one. Never underestimate this disease. Get opinions, and good luck:) 

With love,

Kerri–momofjake