Dada_Chris

Thanks for the replies. My wife initially thought the pathology report was great news since it said "in-situ", as she believed it was stage "0". After looking at the pathology, I had a feeling it was going to be I-A with the report stating "atypical melanocytes is present in the epidermis and focally in the superficial dermis" and with the Clark's level II.

What does "Adnexal extension is focally noted" mean?  Does this contribute to a higher rate of recurrence?

I would have had the mole removed sooner, as I was worried about it since last May, but it was frustrating not being able to get in to see any dermatologists.  I even told one receptionist that I suspected melanoma (the mole had ALL of the ABCDEs), that I had insurance, that I only wanted the doctor to look at my arm, and that it would only take 5 minutes.  The receptionist said it didn't matter, and that I would have to wait 8 months for an appointment.  If I had waited for a dermatologist, I wouldn't have had the mole removed for another 5-6 months, in which time it probably would have progressed beyond I-A.  If I had the mole removed last summer, it probably would have only been stage 0.

I was reading somewhere that Med schools only graduate a limited number of dermatologists, that 50% of derm patients are there for cosmetic reasons (botox, etc), that existing patients have priority, and that new patients (medical and cosmetic) are put on the same waiting list.  Is there any truth to this?  Knowing how serious melanoma is, I would think that dermatologists would make more of an effort to see medical patients who suspect melanoma.

I think a lot of my friends believe it's "no big deal" becasue they confuse melanoma with basal and squamous cell carcinoma.  I didn't even know how serious melanoma was until my wife's friend's husband was diagnosed three years ago (he's currently in Hospice).

What really scares me is reading stories about people who had a stage I – II mole removed and there is NED for 5+ years; then they find a swollen lymph node in their armpit, and they're dead a year later.  I'm more worried about a few cells being left behind and  metastasizing several years later than I am about a second primary tumor, although I will make it a priority to see a dermatologist every 6 months. 

Should I have a surgical oncologist who specializes in melanoma do the second excision rather than the plastic surgeon?  Should I conside treating the scar with Imiquimod, or is that not warranted for I-A?

Thanks for the replies. My wife initially thought the pathology report was great news since it said "in-situ", as she believed it was stage "0". After looking at the pathology, I had a feeling it was going to be I-A with the report stating "atypical melanocytes is present in the epidermis and focally in the superficial dermis" and with the Clark's level II.

What does "Adnexal extension is focally noted" mean?  Does this contribute to a higher rate of recurrence?

I would have had the mole removed sooner, as I was worried about it since last May, but it was frustrating not being able to get in to see any dermatologists.  I even told one receptionist that I suspected melanoma (the mole had ALL of the ABCDEs), that I had insurance, that I only wanted the doctor to look at my arm, and that it would only take 5 minutes.  The receptionist said it didn't matter, and that I would have to wait 8 months for an appointment.  If I had waited for a dermatologist, I wouldn't have had the mole removed for another 5-6 months, in which time it probably would have progressed beyond I-A.  If I had the mole removed last summer, it probably would have only been stage 0.

I was reading somewhere that Med schools only graduate a limited number of dermatologists, that 50% of derm patients are there for cosmetic reasons (botox, etc), that existing patients have priority, and that new patients (medical and cosmetic) are put on the same waiting list.  Is there any truth to this?  Knowing how serious melanoma is, I would think that dermatologists would make more of an effort to see medical patients who suspect melanoma.

I think a lot of my friends believe it's "no big deal" becasue they confuse melanoma with basal and squamous cell carcinoma.  I didn't even know how serious melanoma was until my wife's friend's husband was diagnosed three years ago (he's currently in Hospice).

What really scares me is reading stories about people who had a stage I – II mole removed and there is NED for 5+ years; then they find a swollen lymph node in their armpit, and they're dead a year later.  I'm more worried about a few cells being left behind and  metastasizing several years later than I am about a second primary tumor, although I will make it a priority to see a dermatologist every 6 months. 

Should I have a surgical oncologist who specializes in melanoma do the second excision rather than the plastic surgeon?  Should I conside treating the scar with Imiquimod, or is that not warranted for I-A?

Thanks for the replies. My wife initially thought the pathology report was great news since it said "in-situ", as she believed it was stage "0". After looking at the pathology, I had a feeling it was going to be I-A with the report stating "atypical melanocytes is present in the epidermis and focally in the superficial dermis" and with the Clark's level II.

What does "Adnexal extension is focally noted" mean?  Does this contribute to a higher rate of recurrence?

I would have had the mole removed sooner, as I was worried about it since last May, but it was frustrating not being able to get in to see any dermatologists.  I even told one receptionist that I suspected melanoma (the mole had ALL of the ABCDEs), that I had insurance, that I only wanted the doctor to look at my arm, and that it would only take 5 minutes.  The receptionist said it didn't matter, and that I would have to wait 8 months for an appointment.  If I had waited for a dermatologist, I wouldn't have had the mole removed for another 5-6 months, in which time it probably would have progressed beyond I-A.  If I had the mole removed last summer, it probably would have only been stage 0.

I was reading somewhere that Med schools only graduate a limited number of dermatologists, that 50% of derm patients are there for cosmetic reasons (botox, etc), that existing patients have priority, and that new patients (medical and cosmetic) are put on the same waiting list.  Is there any truth to this?  Knowing how serious melanoma is, I would think that dermatologists would make more of an effort to see medical patients who suspect melanoma.

I think a lot of my friends believe it's "no big deal" becasue they confuse melanoma with basal and squamous cell carcinoma.  I didn't even know how serious melanoma was until my wife's friend's husband was diagnosed three years ago (he's currently in Hospice).

What really scares me is reading stories about people who had a stage I – II mole removed and there is NED for 5+ years; then they find a swollen lymph node in their armpit, and they're dead a year later.  I'm more worried about a few cells being left behind and  metastasizing several years later than I am about a second primary tumor, although I will make it a priority to see a dermatologist every 6 months. 

Should I have a surgical oncologist who specializes in melanoma do the second excision rather than the plastic surgeon?  Should I conside treating the scar with Imiquimod, or is that not warranted for I-A?