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- This topic has 12 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 1 month ago by
misenber.
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- January 11, 2015 at 4:56 pm
Last week I was told that the mole I had removed from my back was melanoma and is Clarks Level 2, less than 1 mm. I was to havethe spot removed tomorrow, but the surgeon called and told me they have to postpone because after speaking with the pathologist, he is going to have to remove a lymph node and test it and wouldn't have the eqipment available for another week. I am, of course distraught, but also very confused. I researched the Clarks Level 2, but can't coordinate it to the Melanoma staging, which seems to give more specific information about treatment, seriusness, prognosis, etc. I have not yet seen an oncologist, I am dealing with a general surgeon who will refer me to an oncologist after the surgery. I am 63 years old and this is my first diagnosis of melanoma. Can someone point me to a good place to get straightforward information that is easy to understand?
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- January 11, 2015 at 5:11 pm
It would be a little more helpful if you had your full pathology report. As it stands right now, this is either a stage 1a or 1b lesion. I suspect 1b because they are planning to do a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Your pathology report would give an exact depth And list whether or not the lesion was ulcerated and the number of mitosis. Stage 1b has 1+ mitosis or ulceration. Clarke level 2 is typically quite thin so it would be helpful to know the additional details. The SLNB isn't typically done for stage 1a but different institutions have different criteria for stage 1b.
is this surgeon well versed in doing a sentinel node biopsy? Typically surgeons who handle breast cancer also use this technique. You want someone who does this all the time because timing and technique may affect results. If the results of the SNB are negative, you probably just need a good derm instead of an oncologist because surgery is the only treatment for early lesions.
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- January 14, 2015 at 12:03 pm
I received my parhology report. Although I am not sure what I am reading, I can repeat some of it:
Tumor size: greatest dimension: 0.7 cm
Macroscopic Satellite Nodule: None Identified
Macroscopic Pigmentation: Present
Histologic Type: Malignant melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma
Maximum tumor thickness: 0.3 mm
Anatomic Level: II (Melanoma present in but does not fill and expand papillary distance)
Upceration: Not Identified
Then there was the surgical report, I won't repeat the whole thing, but I was curious about the meaning of the following:
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes: Present, brisk
Tomor regression: not identified
Growth Phase: radial
Primary Tumor: pT1b Melanoma 1.0 mm or less in thickness with ulceration and/or 1 or more mitoses/mm2
Additional Findings: Nevus remnant
Any information that someone can provide would be most appreciated. The removal surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday.
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- January 14, 2015 at 12:03 pm
I received my parhology report. Although I am not sure what I am reading, I can repeat some of it:
Tumor size: greatest dimension: 0.7 cm
Macroscopic Satellite Nodule: None Identified
Macroscopic Pigmentation: Present
Histologic Type: Malignant melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma
Maximum tumor thickness: 0.3 mm
Anatomic Level: II (Melanoma present in but does not fill and expand papillary distance)
Upceration: Not Identified
Then there was the surgical report, I won't repeat the whole thing, but I was curious about the meaning of the following:
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes: Present, brisk
Tomor regression: not identified
Growth Phase: radial
Primary Tumor: pT1b Melanoma 1.0 mm or less in thickness with ulceration and/or 1 or more mitoses/mm2
Additional Findings: Nevus remnant
Any information that someone can provide would be most appreciated. The removal surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday.
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- January 14, 2015 at 12:03 pm
I received my parhology report. Although I am not sure what I am reading, I can repeat some of it:
Tumor size: greatest dimension: 0.7 cm
Macroscopic Satellite Nodule: None Identified
Macroscopic Pigmentation: Present
Histologic Type: Malignant melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma
Maximum tumor thickness: 0.3 mm
Anatomic Level: II (Melanoma present in but does not fill and expand papillary distance)
Upceration: Not Identified
Then there was the surgical report, I won't repeat the whole thing, but I was curious about the meaning of the following:
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes: Present, brisk
Tomor regression: not identified
Growth Phase: radial
Primary Tumor: pT1b Melanoma 1.0 mm or less in thickness with ulceration and/or 1 or more mitoses/mm2
Additional Findings: Nevus remnant
Any information that someone can provide would be most appreciated. The removal surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday.
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- January 11, 2015 at 5:11 pm
It would be a little more helpful if you had your full pathology report. As it stands right now, this is either a stage 1a or 1b lesion. I suspect 1b because they are planning to do a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Your pathology report would give an exact depth And list whether or not the lesion was ulcerated and the number of mitosis. Stage 1b has 1+ mitosis or ulceration. Clarke level 2 is typically quite thin so it would be helpful to know the additional details. The SLNB isn't typically done for stage 1a but different institutions have different criteria for stage 1b.
is this surgeon well versed in doing a sentinel node biopsy? Typically surgeons who handle breast cancer also use this technique. You want someone who does this all the time because timing and technique may affect results. If the results of the SNB are negative, you probably just need a good derm instead of an oncologist because surgery is the only treatment for early lesions.
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- January 11, 2015 at 5:11 pm
It would be a little more helpful if you had your full pathology report. As it stands right now, this is either a stage 1a or 1b lesion. I suspect 1b because they are planning to do a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Your pathology report would give an exact depth And list whether or not the lesion was ulcerated and the number of mitosis. Stage 1b has 1+ mitosis or ulceration. Clarke level 2 is typically quite thin so it would be helpful to know the additional details. The SLNB isn't typically done for stage 1a but different institutions have different criteria for stage 1b.
is this surgeon well versed in doing a sentinel node biopsy? Typically surgeons who handle breast cancer also use this technique. You want someone who does this all the time because timing and technique may affect results. If the results of the SNB are negative, you probably just need a good derm instead of an oncologist because surgery is the only treatment for early lesions.
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- January 14, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Stage 1A has about a 97% 10 year survival rate. And that includes lesions much deeper than yours (up to 1mm). Your prognosis is pretty great.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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