Recurrence? What do intransits look like?

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  • Post
    • November 24, 2013 at 3:28 pm
    Julie in SoCal
    Participant

      Hi Friends!

      It's been awhile since I've posted.  Normally I post in the new year, after I've had my yearly scan.  For the last 4 years I've posted that everything has come back normal and we all do the happy dance.  

      Today however, I'm writing to ask your advice.  

      Here's the situration:  I'm currently living in Thailand.  I'm 5 years post surgery for a melanoma on my left hand. I had a WLE and then SNB which found one axilia  lymph node with microscopic melanoma.  I went on to have the rest of the alillia lymph nodes removed. : Stage 3a. From there I had a month of High Dose Interferon, and then a year of GM-CSF (14 days on, 14 days off).

      Up until now, I've not had any bumps or lumps or funky things near any of my WLE or SNB scars, although I've had many "funky things" removed.  But they've always been atypical.  However, 4 weeks ago I noticed a small raised lump near my SNB scar under my elbow.  Then a few weeks later I noticed another small bb sized lump near the other one.  Now today I find I have another lump closer to my arm pit,  

      None of the lumps are darkly pigmented or very large (under pencil eraser size).  However the first one, is asymetrical, raised and unevenly red and tan colored.  The other two are not colored at all, just raised.  And of course they are near my SNB scar (the SNB spot that was negative).

      Ok now my questions: obviously I will have a Mel Dr look at these three bumpy things.  My question is how soon should I do this?  I'm in Thailand, not near a medical center with any kind of expertize in Mel.  However, I'm going back to the US, for medical checks and PET/CT scans in early Feb.  Should I wait?

      What do intransits look like? If these things are intransits, how quickly should I get myself to my Mel Dr? How fast does Mel spread?  

      Advice?

      Thank you friends!

      Blessings,

      Julie.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 24, 2013 at 4:55 pm
        POW
        Participant

          Julie, would it be possible to have one of the lumps removed in Thailand, fixed in formaldehyde and sent to the States for sectioning and analysis? Or maybe Australia if that is more convenient for you. Are there any good dermatologists or plastic surgeons in Thailand?

            • November 24, 2013 at 5:31 pm
            SABKLYN
            Participant

              Highest incidence of melanoma is in Australia and as I understand, great Melanoma centers.  You might want to consider going there.  February is not too far away, but I would say that if it's something that will really preoccupy you , you might benefit by doing something now rather than wait.

              • November 24, 2013 at 9:10 pm
              killmel
              Participant

                Hi Julie,

                 

                I have had 4 recurrences> I would describe my recurrences as  "small bb sized lump" just like you have descried your bump.

                I would NOT wait to see a MelDr. I would have then biopsied. I started at a stage 1 and now stage 4.

                I would be concerned because there is not time frame or description of recurrences that someone could give you that would ensure piece of mind for you to wait.

                I would not walk but RUN to get these lumps checked out. I would also move up my anuual PET & CT scans. If anything comes back positive from your scans, I would also have a Brain MRI.

                Good Luck

                Nicholas

                • November 24, 2013 at 9:10 pm
                killmel
                Participant

                  Hi Julie,

                   

                  I have had 4 recurrences> I would describe my recurrences as  "small bb sized lump" just like you have descried your bump.

                  I would NOT wait to see a MelDr. I would have then biopsied. I started at a stage 1 and now stage 4.

                  I would be concerned because there is not time frame or description of recurrences that someone could give you that would ensure piece of mind for you to wait.

                  I would not walk but RUN to get these lumps checked out. I would also move up my anuual PET & CT scans. If anything comes back positive from your scans, I would also have a Brain MRI.

                  Good Luck

                  Nicholas

                  • November 24, 2013 at 9:10 pm
                  killmel
                  Participant

                    Hi Julie,

                     

                    I have had 4 recurrences> I would describe my recurrences as  "small bb sized lump" just like you have descried your bump.

                    I would NOT wait to see a MelDr. I would have then biopsied. I started at a stage 1 and now stage 4.

                    I would be concerned because there is not time frame or description of recurrences that someone could give you that would ensure piece of mind for you to wait.

                    I would not walk but RUN to get these lumps checked out. I would also move up my anuual PET & CT scans. If anything comes back positive from your scans, I would also have a Brain MRI.

                    Good Luck

                    Nicholas

                    • November 24, 2013 at 5:31 pm
                    SABKLYN
                    Participant

                      Highest incidence of melanoma is in Australia and as I understand, great Melanoma centers.  You might want to consider going there.  February is not too far away, but I would say that if it's something that will really preoccupy you , you might benefit by doing something now rather than wait.

                      • November 24, 2013 at 5:31 pm
                      SABKLYN
                      Participant

                        Highest incidence of melanoma is in Australia and as I understand, great Melanoma centers.  You might want to consider going there.  February is not too far away, but I would say that if it's something that will really preoccupy you , you might benefit by doing something now rather than wait.

                      • November 24, 2013 at 4:55 pm
                      POW
                      Participant

                        Julie, would it be possible to have one of the lumps removed in Thailand, fixed in formaldehyde and sent to the States for sectioning and analysis? Or maybe Australia if that is more convenient for you. Are there any good dermatologists or plastic surgeons in Thailand?

                        • November 24, 2013 at 4:55 pm
                        POW
                        Participant

                          Julie, would it be possible to have one of the lumps removed in Thailand, fixed in formaldehyde and sent to the States for sectioning and analysis? Or maybe Australia if that is more convenient for you. Are there any good dermatologists or plastic surgeons in Thailand?

                          • November 25, 2013 at 12:24 am
                          MattF
                          Participant

                            Julie,

                            Not that any of us are doctors but since you are asking for advice….

                            My reoccurrence was in Aug 2013…." small pea sized lump" near SLNB scar

                             

                            Now god knows it could be anything and probably is nothing. I certainly hope that is the case. However I wouldn't wait for Feb…and here is why. if just if there happens to be melanoma involvement then…12 weeks is too long to wait.

                            all the best

                            Matt

                              • November 25, 2013 at 1:04 am
                              vivian
                              Participant

                                Mine was pea-sized and sub-cutaneous. (I felt it rather than saw it.)  It was located about half way between my primary scar and the axillary lymph node dissection.  Always best  to have it checked out sooner rather than later.  In my case, the scans after the intransit was resected revealed a lung met at a small enough size to be removed by VATS.  I am fortunate to be NED one year later.  Hopefully, yours is nothing, but why not find out?  Wishing you the best!

                                Lear

                                • November 25, 2013 at 8:30 am
                                Julie in SoCal
                                Participant

                                  Thank you Friends!

                                  I appreciate your advice..I have made an appointment at a hospital in Bangkok for a consult, and probably a biopsy.  I'll let you know how everything plays out.

                                  Thanks,

                                  Julie

                                  • November 25, 2013 at 8:30 am
                                  Julie in SoCal
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you Friends!

                                    I appreciate your advice..I have made an appointment at a hospital in Bangkok for a consult, and probably a biopsy.  I'll let you know how everything plays out.

                                    Thanks,

                                    Julie

                                    • November 25, 2013 at 8:30 am
                                    Julie in SoCal
                                    Participant

                                      Thank you Friends!

                                      I appreciate your advice..I have made an appointment at a hospital in Bangkok for a consult, and probably a biopsy.  I'll let you know how everything plays out.

                                      Thanks,

                                      Julie

                                      • November 25, 2013 at 1:04 am
                                      vivian
                                      Participant

                                        Mine was pea-sized and sub-cutaneous. (I felt it rather than saw it.)  It was located about half way between my primary scar and the axillary lymph node dissection.  Always best  to have it checked out sooner rather than later.  In my case, the scans after the intransit was resected revealed a lung met at a small enough size to be removed by VATS.  I am fortunate to be NED one year later.  Hopefully, yours is nothing, but why not find out?  Wishing you the best!

                                        Lear

                                        • November 25, 2013 at 1:04 am
                                        vivian
                                        Participant

                                          Mine was pea-sized and sub-cutaneous. (I felt it rather than saw it.)  It was located about half way between my primary scar and the axillary lymph node dissection.  Always best  to have it checked out sooner rather than later.  In my case, the scans after the intransit was resected revealed a lung met at a small enough size to be removed by VATS.  I am fortunate to be NED one year later.  Hopefully, yours is nothing, but why not find out?  Wishing you the best!

                                          Lear

                                        • November 25, 2013 at 12:24 am
                                        MattF
                                        Participant

                                          Julie,

                                          Not that any of us are doctors but since you are asking for advice….

                                          My reoccurrence was in Aug 2013…." small pea sized lump" near SLNB scar

                                           

                                          Now god knows it could be anything and probably is nothing. I certainly hope that is the case. However I wouldn't wait for Feb…and here is why. if just if there happens to be melanoma involvement then…12 weeks is too long to wait.

                                          all the best

                                          Matt

                                          • November 25, 2013 at 12:24 am
                                          MattF
                                          Participant

                                            Julie,

                                            Not that any of us are doctors but since you are asking for advice….

                                            My reoccurrence was in Aug 2013…." small pea sized lump" near SLNB scar

                                             

                                            Now god knows it could be anything and probably is nothing. I certainly hope that is the case. However I wouldn't wait for Feb…and here is why. if just if there happens to be melanoma involvement then…12 weeks is too long to wait.

                                            all the best

                                            Matt

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