How long is safe to wait for surgery?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › How long is safe to wait for surgery?

  • Post
    • April 29, 2016 at 3:11 am
    calval63
    Participant

      I was diagnosed last week with melanoma on my upper chest area.The Pathology report says it is the superfical spreading type, was non ulcerated, had a Breslow thickness of 0.28, Clark's level of 2. The dermatologist referred me to a plastic surgeon who is setting up my surgery with a general surgeon who will do a SLN and a wide local excistion. They said it will take up to 5 days for the pathology report to come back and that it will be left open (covered with dressings) until then and then the plastic surgeon with close it up with a flap.

      My question is, I am out of town and by the time I get home and scheduled for surgery it will be another 3 weeks. Will  that be too much time to let this go? Should I cut my trip short and get home (assumming the Dr will get me in sooner)? The Dr seems to think it will be ok but I am worried. Would appreciate any advice.

      Thank you for reading this!

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    • Replies
        • April 29, 2016 at 3:18 am
        Janner
        Participant

          That sounds like an extensive surgery for such a tiny lesion.  Typically the SNB isn't done for a lesion as thin as yours.  And a flap and leaving the wound open also sounds pretty extreme too.   Maybe you should be seeing a melanoma specialist?  The WLE is never small when you attempt to get 1cm margins, but again your description sounds not the norm for a lesion as small as yours.  As far as waiting, it's not a problem.  It's actually been studied and there is no detriment  waiting.  Your lesion was most likely totally removed in the biopsy anyway and the WLE is just insurance. 

            • April 29, 2016 at 3:48 am
            calval63
            Participant

              Thank you for such a fast reply. The Dr said there was only about a 5% chance that it was in a lymph node but he said it was up to me if I wanted a SLN (I think that is what it is called) so I thought maybe I should have that checked just to be safe.

              My incision will be a lttle over 1" x 1"

               

              • April 29, 2016 at 3:48 am
              calval63
              Participant

                Thank you for such a fast reply. The Dr said there was only about a 5% chance that it was in a lymph node but he said it was up to me if I wanted a SLN (I think that is what it is called) so I thought maybe I should have that checked just to be safe.

                My incision will be a lttle over 1" x 1"

                 

                • April 29, 2016 at 3:48 am
                calval63
                Participant

                  Thank you for such a fast reply. The Dr said there was only about a 5% chance that it was in a lymph node but he said it was up to me if I wanted a SLN (I think that is what it is called) so I thought maybe I should have that checked just to be safe.

                  My incision will be a lttle over 1" x 1"

                   

                • April 29, 2016 at 3:18 am
                Janner
                Participant

                  That sounds like an extensive surgery for such a tiny lesion.  Typically the SNB isn't done for a lesion as thin as yours.  And a flap and leaving the wound open also sounds pretty extreme too.   Maybe you should be seeing a melanoma specialist?  The WLE is never small when you attempt to get 1cm margins, but again your description sounds not the norm for a lesion as small as yours.  As far as waiting, it's not a problem.  It's actually been studied and there is no detriment  waiting.  Your lesion was most likely totally removed in the biopsy anyway and the WLE is just insurance. 

                  • April 29, 2016 at 3:18 am
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    That sounds like an extensive surgery for such a tiny lesion.  Typically the SNB isn't done for a lesion as thin as yours.  And a flap and leaving the wound open also sounds pretty extreme too.   Maybe you should be seeing a melanoma specialist?  The WLE is never small when you attempt to get 1cm margins, but again your description sounds not the norm for a lesion as small as yours.  As far as waiting, it's not a problem.  It's actually been studied and there is no detriment  waiting.  Your lesion was most likely totally removed in the biopsy anyway and the WLE is just insurance. 

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