Newly diagnosed
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Newly diagnosed

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Newly diagnosed

  • Post
    • October 14, 2016 at 9:49 am
    Woodrow
    Participant

    My husband was diagnosed w stage 1 melanoma this week. His derm called and set him w a surgeon in the same town the dr lives in (90 miles away). We have a cancer center we could go to in St Louis (150 miles away). My question is should we go to a regular surgeon or to Siteman Cancer Center? The melanoma is located on his abdomen and requires general anesthesia and possibly sentinel node biopsy. Am I being too paranoid about this.  

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 14, 2016 at 10:42 am
      stars
      Participant

      You'd have to post a bit more info – do you have the pathology report? Most important is Breslow depth. But in general, I would think a stage 1A melanoma could be treated locally with little need for much else. If you post a bit more info from the path report, you'll get more meaningful responses.

      • October 14, 2016 at 10:42 am
      stars
      Participant

      You'd have to post a bit more info – do you have the pathology report? Most important is Breslow depth. But in general, I would think a stage 1A melanoma could be treated locally with little need for much else. If you post a bit more info from the path report, you'll get more meaningful responses.

      • October 14, 2016 at 10:42 am
      stars
      Participant

      You'd have to post a bit more info – do you have the pathology report? Most important is Breslow depth. But in general, I would think a stage 1A melanoma could be treated locally with little need for much else. If you post a bit more info from the path report, you'll get more meaningful responses.

      • October 14, 2016 at 12:00 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi,

      Sorry you are having to deal with this. If they are talking about a general anesthetic and sentinel node biopsy they are either being very cautious or there are features that mean they want to be more proactive.

      Useful points from the biopsy report would include miotic rate, breslow depth and any signs of itchyness or ulceration and site of lesion.

      I would be tempted to  go to the cancer centre even though it is more travelling as you ideally want a plastic surgeon experienced in melanoma to be doing the procedure, if a SNB is needed.

      Best wishes

      Deb

       

       

      • October 14, 2016 at 12:00 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi,

      Sorry you are having to deal with this. If they are talking about a general anesthetic and sentinel node biopsy they are either being very cautious or there are features that mean they want to be more proactive.

      Useful points from the biopsy report would include miotic rate, breslow depth and any signs of itchyness or ulceration and site of lesion.

      I would be tempted to  go to the cancer centre even though it is more travelling as you ideally want a plastic surgeon experienced in melanoma to be doing the procedure, if a SNB is needed.

      Best wishes

      Deb

       

       

      • October 14, 2016 at 12:00 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi,

      Sorry you are having to deal with this. If they are talking about a general anesthetic and sentinel node biopsy they are either being very cautious or there are features that mean they want to be more proactive.

      Useful points from the biopsy report would include miotic rate, breslow depth and any signs of itchyness or ulceration and site of lesion.

      I would be tempted to  go to the cancer centre even though it is more travelling as you ideally want a plastic surgeon experienced in melanoma to be doing the procedure, if a SNB is needed.

      Best wishes

      Deb

       

       

        • October 14, 2016 at 4:33 pm
        Woodrow
        Participant

        Thank you for replies. This might help: Clark level 4, Miotic index1-2 mm2, breslows depth 0.95, peripheral involved. Maybe I am overreacting but my husband is 79 yrs old & has never been sick before, just concerned we r doing everything we can.

        • October 14, 2016 at 9:33 pm
        stars
        Participant

        So it's quite a thin melanoma (under 1mm) but has some aggressive features (mitosis), plus it's not yet completely excised (peripheral involved, meaning the biopsy is incomplete). You are doing everything right, a SLNB should be offered in these circumstances because there is a small chance that it might have started to reach nearest lymph nodes. Go with the cancer centre if its not great trouble… otherwise, you seem to be getting great advice adn care where you are. Chin up, it's a thin melanoma and there's a good chance that after the SLNB and WLE the whole ordeal is behind you with just regular ongoing monitoring required.

        • October 14, 2016 at 9:33 pm
        stars
        Participant

        So it's quite a thin melanoma (under 1mm) but has some aggressive features (mitosis), plus it's not yet completely excised (peripheral involved, meaning the biopsy is incomplete). You are doing everything right, a SLNB should be offered in these circumstances because there is a small chance that it might have started to reach nearest lymph nodes. Go with the cancer centre if its not great trouble… otherwise, you seem to be getting great advice adn care where you are. Chin up, it's a thin melanoma and there's a good chance that after the SLNB and WLE the whole ordeal is behind you with just regular ongoing monitoring required.

        • October 14, 2016 at 9:33 pm
        stars
        Participant

        So it's quite a thin melanoma (under 1mm) but has some aggressive features (mitosis), plus it's not yet completely excised (peripheral involved, meaning the biopsy is incomplete). You are doing everything right, a SLNB should be offered in these circumstances because there is a small chance that it might have started to reach nearest lymph nodes. Go with the cancer centre if its not great trouble… otherwise, you seem to be getting great advice adn care where you are. Chin up, it's a thin melanoma and there's a good chance that after the SLNB and WLE the whole ordeal is behind you with just regular ongoing monitoring required.

        • October 14, 2016 at 4:33 pm
        Woodrow
        Participant

        Thank you for replies. This might help: Clark level 4, Miotic index1-2 mm2, breslows depth 0.95, peripheral involved. Maybe I am overreacting but my husband is 79 yrs old & has never been sick before, just concerned we r doing everything we can.

        • October 14, 2016 at 4:33 pm
        Woodrow
        Participant

        Thank you for replies. This might help: Clark level 4, Miotic index1-2 mm2, breslows depth 0.95, peripheral involved. Maybe I am overreacting but my husband is 79 yrs old & has never been sick before, just concerned we r doing everything we can.

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

Popular Topics