› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › New here, pathology report questions › Re: New here, pathology report questions
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- August 5, 2010 at 1:23 am
Yes, I would definitely want an SNB with a depth of 1.6mm, ulceration, and a significant mitotic rate. Having said that, I want you to know that my husband's mel was nodular and at least 2.22mm with involved deep margins from a shave biopsy. His mitotic rate was 6/mm2. He had a WLE which found no additional mel cells and an SNB that was negative. He is now more than 3 1/2 years out and is NED (no evidence of disease). He is perfectly healthy and doing great. For the first two years or so, I was holding my breath just waiting for the other shoe to drop. But eventually you learn to deal with the uncertainty and get on with living. When I think about his "negative" factors (mitotic rate, nodular, etc.) it can still freak me out a bit–but I feel so much more prepared to deal with whatever happens after educating myself.
I would insist on an SNB and then take it from there. Hopefully it will be negative and you will eventually learn how to live a normal life again.
Best wishes,
Niki (Wife of Joe, Stage IIA and 3 1/2 years NED)