Which is it?

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  • Post
    • May 30, 2013 at 2:45 pm
    JC
    Participant

      It’s so confusing.  I read a Duke study (2003) that basically says up to 15% of thin lesions less than 1mm will recur/mestastasize; but, then I put my info into the melanoma outcome calculator and it basically says it “only” shortens my life expectancy by less than a year.  Which is it? 

      It’s so confusing.  I read a Duke study (2003) that basically says up to 15% of thin lesions less than 1mm will recur/mestastasize; but, then I put my info into the melanoma outcome calculator and it basically says it “only” shortens my life expectancy by less than a year.  Which is it? 

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    • Replies
        • May 30, 2013 at 4:02 pm
        Harry in Fair Oaks
        Participant

          It's both – and it makes perfect sense.  For the large majority of people with thin primaries, their melanoma will not shorten their lives by a single day.  For the few who will die from it, their lives can be shortened by many years.  You put it all together and average it, and you get that "less than a year."  It's really a meaningless prognostication for any individual.

          Best wishes,

          Harry

          • May 30, 2013 at 4:02 pm
          Harry in Fair Oaks
          Participant

            It's both – and it makes perfect sense.  For the large majority of people with thin primaries, their melanoma will not shorten their lives by a single day.  For the few who will die from it, their lives can be shortened by many years.  You put it all together and average it, and you get that "less than a year."  It's really a meaningless prognostication for any individual.

            Best wishes,

            Harry

            • May 30, 2013 at 4:02 pm
            Harry in Fair Oaks
            Participant

              It's both – and it makes perfect sense.  For the large majority of people with thin primaries, their melanoma will not shorten their lives by a single day.  For the few who will die from it, their lives can be shortened by many years.  You put it all together and average it, and you get that "less than a year."  It's really a meaningless prognostication for any individual.

              Best wishes,

              Harry

              • June 2, 2013 at 11:54 am
              JC
              Participant

                Is it known, though, which advanced cases were diagnosed initially as advanced versus started out at early stage and progressed?

                • June 2, 2013 at 11:54 am
                JC
                Participant

                  Is it known, though, which advanced cases were diagnosed initially as advanced versus started out at early stage and progressed?

                  • June 2, 2013 at 11:54 am
                  JC
                  Participant

                    Is it known, though, which advanced cases were diagnosed initially as advanced versus started out at early stage and progressed?

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