Stage 1B with a mitosis of 3 – told Interferon is necessary

I'd recommend a second opinion.  Interferon is controversial at stage III but is sometimes done for high risk stage II, but not stage I.  What was your depth?  Are they recommending Interferon because they believe the SLN is positive?  A mitosis of 3 is certainly higher than you'd like, but it's not out of the ballpark.  Mitosis alone is not a reason to recommend interferon so I can only speculate they are concerned about the other SLN that wasn't removed.  Again, I think I'd consult with an oncologist that is a melanoma specialist and get a second option from an expert.

Janner

(Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries)

I'd recommend a second opinion.  Interferon is controversial at stage III but is sometimes done for high risk stage II, but not stage I.  What was your depth?  Are they recommending Interferon because they believe the SLN is positive?  A mitosis of 3 is certainly higher than you'd like, but it's not out of the ballpark.  Mitosis alone is not a reason to recommend interferon so I can only speculate they are concerned about the other SLN that wasn't removed.  Again, I think I'd consult with an oncologist that is a melanoma specialist and get a second option from an expert.

Janner

(Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries)

I'd recommend a second opinion.  Interferon is controversial at stage III but is sometimes done for high risk stage II, but not stage I.  What was your depth?  Are they recommending Interferon because they believe the SLN is positive?  A mitosis of 3 is certainly higher than you'd like, but it's not out of the ballpark.  Mitosis alone is not a reason to recommend interferon so I can only speculate they are concerned about the other SLN that wasn't removed.  Again, I think I'd consult with an oncologist that is a melanoma specialist and get a second option from an expert.

Janner

(Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries)

I didn't even think interferon (or any adjuvant therapy for that matter) was even an option for Stage I patients.  I've never heard of that before, this is a first. 

I didn't even think interferon (or any adjuvant therapy for that matter) was even an option for Stage I patients.  I've never heard of that before, this is a first. 

I didn't even think interferon (or any adjuvant therapy for that matter) was even an option for Stage I patients.  I've never heard of that before, this is a first. 

It is not unusual to find 2 sentinal lymph nodes, especially in the head and neck region. If 2 or more SLNs are found, they should all be removed and analyzed for the presence of melanoma cells. So I would agree that if 2 SLNs were found (and are still labeled so they can still be found) you would want them both removed.

A mitotic index of 3 is not so bad– I have heard of them ranging from 0 to >15. You do not say if the first SLN was positive for melanoma. I assume not or you would have said so. If you are Stage 1 and your SLNs are negative, I don't understand why your doctor would recommend interferon. That seems like overkill to me.

Given the way the surgeon handled your case and the unusual recommendation you are getting from your oncologist, I strongly suggest that you go to a National Cancer Institute Center of Excellence or other melanoma specialty clinic to get a second opinion.  

It is not unusual to find 2 sentinal lymph nodes, especially in the head and neck region. If 2 or more SLNs are found, they should all be removed and analyzed for the presence of melanoma cells. So I would agree that if 2 SLNs were found (and are still labeled so they can still be found) you would want them both removed.

A mitotic index of 3 is not so bad– I have heard of them ranging from 0 to >15. You do not say if the first SLN was positive for melanoma. I assume not or you would have said so. If you are Stage 1 and your SLNs are negative, I don't understand why your doctor would recommend interferon. That seems like overkill to me.

Given the way the surgeon handled your case and the unusual recommendation you are getting from your oncologist, I strongly suggest that you go to a National Cancer Institute Center of Excellence or other melanoma specialty clinic to get a second opinion.  

It is not unusual to find 2 sentinal lymph nodes, especially in the head and neck region. If 2 or more SLNs are found, they should all be removed and analyzed for the presence of melanoma cells. So I would agree that if 2 SLNs were found (and are still labeled so they can still be found) you would want them both removed.

A mitotic index of 3 is not so bad– I have heard of them ranging from 0 to >15. You do not say if the first SLN was positive for melanoma. I assume not or you would have said so. If you are Stage 1 and your SLNs are negative, I don't understand why your doctor would recommend interferon. That seems like overkill to me.

Given the way the surgeon handled your case and the unusual recommendation you are getting from your oncologist, I strongly suggest that you go to a National Cancer Institute Center of Excellence or other melanoma specialty clinic to get a second opinion.  

Please see a melanoma specialist. My wife is on her third year with the beast. We were very lucky my wife had a very good me who told us to go to a melanoma oncologist. Best thing we ever did. A regular oncologist wanted her on interferon and most results show little effect from it. See a melanoma specialist. Good luck

Please see a melanoma specialist. My wife is on her third year with the beast. We were very lucky my wife had a very good me who told us to go to a melanoma oncologist. Best thing we ever did. A regular oncologist wanted her on interferon and most results show little effect from it. See a melanoma specialist. Good luck

Please see a melanoma specialist. My wife is on her third year with the beast. We were very lucky my wife had a very good me who told us to go to a melanoma oncologist. Best thing we ever did. A regular oncologist wanted her on interferon and most results show little effect from it. See a melanoma specialist. Good luck