Newly diagnosed. Need some help understanding pathology report while waiting on next appointment.

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Newly diagnosed. Need some help understanding pathology report while waiting on next appointment.

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    • October 23, 2017 at 6:13 pm
    Clee
    Participant

      Hello,

       

      i just received my diagnosis/pathology report on Friday. Of course I am anxious and trying not to stress too much, but knowledge is power. Waiting on the call from Dermatology for next step. My report states malignant melanoma Clark’s 2 Breslow’s thickness 0.56 mm with focal regression non ulcerated involving a side margin, deep margin is free of involvement.  It also says mitotic index 1-2/mm2 and regression,focal,less than 75% of lesion. Any input would be greatly appreciated that will help me understand what mitotic index and regression means in terms of my diagnosis and if it could affect treatment……

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        • October 23, 2017 at 8:29 pm
        Jamie1960
        Participant

          I've been where you are and there is, as always, good news and "other".

          Regression is a sign that your body's immune system is strong and effectively attacking the melanoma; however, the resulting "retreat/regression" makes it more difficult to accurately measure the true extent of the lesion.

          Mitosis is an important indicator of cell division / rate of proliferation of cancerous cells.

          Even absent ulceration, my guess would be that your surgical oncologist will recommend WLE and perhaps also SLNB given the presence of both regression and measurable mitosis.

          This is a good thing; you have plenty of lymph nodes and will have greater peace of mind upon the likely negative results of the SLNB. Be sure, however, to consult a surgical oncologist and not just the dermatologist if this is where you are.

          My own motto is, like voting in Chicago, to cut "frequently, and often too".

            • October 23, 2017 at 10:46 pm
            Clee
            Participant

              Thank you so much for your response! I’m scheduled to see a Dermatologist first who specializes in melanoma, and then go from there. I’m going to take your advice and ask to see a surgical oncologist if he does not bring it up himself. Even if he doesn’t recommend a SLNB, i’m going to ask to have it done. 

              Just trying to keep my anxiety at bay and not think horrible things is really hard, as I’m certain you understand!

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