Melanoma on the ear. 11 years old

My heart goes out to you. I know pediatric melanoma is more rare than melanoma in adults, but it is not as rare as 10 per year. Here is a link from this site that gives some info about pediatric melanoma: 

https://www.melanoma.org/understand-melanoma/pediatric-melanoma

My questions for the doctor you've chosen would be, has he dealt with many pediatric melanoma patients? I would want someone, even if that means travelling, that knows the ins and outs specifically of pediatric melanoma. A lot of people will have a local oncologist and a melanoma specialist that is not local that both team up and help treat the patient. The specialist will be the main one to determine treatment and top options, and the local oncologist would be the one to implement most of them. Just a thought. I absolutely love my melanoma specialist at UCSF, so I am happy to hear that was a place you've seeked for a second opinion as it is a great option. There are other great options as well, many on the east coast. I don't know much about pediatric melanoma and which doctors or hospitals are best for that specifically, but it sounds like you've taken some good first steps in trying to find the best care for your son.

Sending lots of love and positive vibes to you and your family.

My heart goes out to you. I know pediatric melanoma is more rare than melanoma in adults, but it is not as rare as 10 per year. Here is a link from this site that gives some info about pediatric melanoma: 

https://www.melanoma.org/understand-melanoma/pediatric-melanoma

My questions for the doctor you've chosen would be, has he dealt with many pediatric melanoma patients? I would want someone, even if that means travelling, that knows the ins and outs specifically of pediatric melanoma. A lot of people will have a local oncologist and a melanoma specialist that is not local that both team up and help treat the patient. The specialist will be the main one to determine treatment and top options, and the local oncologist would be the one to implement most of them. Just a thought. I absolutely love my melanoma specialist at UCSF, so I am happy to hear that was a place you've seeked for a second opinion as it is a great option. There are other great options as well, many on the east coast. I don't know much about pediatric melanoma and which doctors or hospitals are best for that specifically, but it sounds like you've taken some good first steps in trying to find the best care for your son.

Sending lots of love and positive vibes to you and your family.

My heart goes out to you. I know pediatric melanoma is more rare than melanoma in adults, but it is not as rare as 10 per year. Here is a link from this site that gives some info about pediatric melanoma: 

https://www.melanoma.org/understand-melanoma/pediatric-melanoma

My questions for the doctor you've chosen would be, has he dealt with many pediatric melanoma patients? I would want someone, even if that means travelling, that knows the ins and outs specifically of pediatric melanoma. A lot of people will have a local oncologist and a melanoma specialist that is not local that both team up and help treat the patient. The specialist will be the main one to determine treatment and top options, and the local oncologist would be the one to implement most of them. Just a thought. I absolutely love my melanoma specialist at UCSF, so I am happy to hear that was a place you've seeked for a second opinion as it is a great option. There are other great options as well, many on the east coast. I don't know much about pediatric melanoma and which doctors or hospitals are best for that specifically, but it sounds like you've taken some good first steps in trying to find the best care for your son.

Sending lots of love and positive vibes to you and your family.

I can't even imagine how terrified you are right now. Melanoma in children is the most common form of skin cancer, but as a general cancer, it is indeed quite rare. I worked in radio for many many years. Every year, we would do a fundraiser for St Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis. I live in California, but stations across the nation do these annual fundraisers. Why? Because St Jude is the only comprehensive cancer center dedicated entirely to childhood cancers that is recognized by the National Cancer Institute. 

I'm not saying you need to travel to St Jude to have Ross treated……. Although, those costs are covered, as is anything your insurance won't cover………. But your specialist oncologists can contact them for information on the latest research and treatment options for him, should you/they feel he might need adjuvent therapy beyond surgical resection.

You can find more info at: https://www.stjude.org/disease/melanoma.html  

I'm no longer at the radio station, but could probably still dig up contact info for a representative in your area, who could give you more information. 

I wish that I could do more to ease the fear and disbelief you are facing. It seems so unfair to me that children get cancer at all. Research all that you can, but know that statistics are constantly changing, and that the internet is never "caught up" with the latest research going on. Clearly, you are already taking steps to arm yourself with as much information for questioning doctors and patient advocation as possible. That will do leaps of good for your son's prognosis.

My heart goes out to your family. 

I can't even imagine how terrified you are right now. Melanoma in children is the most common form of skin cancer, but as a general cancer, it is indeed quite rare. I worked in radio for many many years. Every year, we would do a fundraiser for St Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis. I live in California, but stations across the nation do these annual fundraisers. Why? Because St Jude is the only comprehensive cancer center dedicated entirely to childhood cancers that is recognized by the National Cancer Institute. 

I'm not saying you need to travel to St Jude to have Ross treated……. Although, those costs are covered, as is anything your insurance won't cover………. But your specialist oncologists can contact them for information on the latest research and treatment options for him, should you/they feel he might need adjuvent therapy beyond surgical resection.

You can find more info at: https://www.stjude.org/disease/melanoma.html  

I'm no longer at the radio station, but could probably still dig up contact info for a representative in your area, who could give you more information. 

I wish that I could do more to ease the fear and disbelief you are facing. It seems so unfair to me that children get cancer at all. Research all that you can, but know that statistics are constantly changing, and that the internet is never "caught up" with the latest research going on. Clearly, you are already taking steps to arm yourself with as much information for questioning doctors and patient advocation as possible. That will do leaps of good for your son's prognosis.

My heart goes out to your family. 

I can't even imagine how terrified you are right now. Melanoma in children is the most common form of skin cancer, but as a general cancer, it is indeed quite rare. I worked in radio for many many years. Every year, we would do a fundraiser for St Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis. I live in California, but stations across the nation do these annual fundraisers. Why? Because St Jude is the only comprehensive cancer center dedicated entirely to childhood cancers that is recognized by the National Cancer Institute. 

I'm not saying you need to travel to St Jude to have Ross treated……. Although, those costs are covered, as is anything your insurance won't cover………. But your specialist oncologists can contact them for information on the latest research and treatment options for him, should you/they feel he might need adjuvent therapy beyond surgical resection.

You can find more info at: https://www.stjude.org/disease/melanoma.html  

I'm no longer at the radio station, but could probably still dig up contact info for a representative in your area, who could give you more information. 

I wish that I could do more to ease the fear and disbelief you are facing. It seems so unfair to me that children get cancer at all. Research all that you can, but know that statistics are constantly changing, and that the internet is never "caught up" with the latest research going on. Clearly, you are already taking steps to arm yourself with as much information for questioning doctors and patient advocation as possible. That will do leaps of good for your son's prognosis.

My heart goes out to your family. 

One more thing that I found on St Jude website, is a wonderful opportunity to meet other families of pediatric melanoma patients. This is happening in early November, and is for patients indcluding those treated outside of St Jude. 

https://www.stjude.org/treatment/patient-resources/resources-on-campus/melanoma-consult-clinic.html

One more thing that I found on St Jude website, is a wonderful opportunity to meet other families of pediatric melanoma patients. This is happening in early November, and is for patients indcluding those treated outside of St Jude. 

https://www.stjude.org/treatment/patient-resources/resources-on-campus/melanoma-consult-clinic.html

One more thing that I found on St Jude website, is a wonderful opportunity to meet other families of pediatric melanoma patients. This is happening in early November, and is for patients indcluding those treated outside of St Jude. 

https://www.stjude.org/treatment/patient-resources/resources-on-campus/melanoma-consult-clinic.html

My son was 17, just starting his senior year. Stage 3c. I know how hard it is to be suddenly thrown into this world. Good you are on this board early. Use it. My son is 19 now and it's been a rough road. Don't go into treatments out of fear. You have to do your own homework, get second opinions, pray and wait for that right feeling and best choice. That said, once you choose a path there are no regrets. We are all simply doing our very best!! The decisions are big. Please look into immunotherapies. My son could not have them at stage 3, but now they can offer them! Also, prepare for the surgery. I had no idea what I would walk into. It's hard to see your child do this. Beyond hard. Jake is still fighting! 

Love and prayers from a mom who understands. 

My son was 17, just starting his senior year. Stage 3c. I know how hard it is to be suddenly thrown into this world. Good you are on this board early. Use it. My son is 19 now and it's been a rough road. Don't go into treatments out of fear. You have to do your own homework, get second opinions, pray and wait for that right feeling and best choice. That said, once you choose a path there are no regrets. We are all simply doing our very best!! The decisions are big. Please look into immunotherapies. My son could not have them at stage 3, but now they can offer them! Also, prepare for the surgery. I had no idea what I would walk into. It's hard to see your child do this. Beyond hard. Jake is still fighting! 

Love and prayers from a mom who understands. 

My son was 17, just starting his senior year. Stage 3c. I know how hard it is to be suddenly thrown into this world. Good you are on this board early. Use it. My son is 19 now and it's been a rough road. Don't go into treatments out of fear. You have to do your own homework, get second opinions, pray and wait for that right feeling and best choice. That said, once you choose a path there are no regrets. We are all simply doing our very best!! The decisions are big. Please look into immunotherapies. My son could not have them at stage 3, but now they can offer them! Also, prepare for the surgery. I had no idea what I would walk into. It's hard to see your child do this. Beyond hard. Jake is still fighting! 

Love and prayers from a mom who understands.