New diagnosis

I'm relatively new here too, but I wish you the best of luck as you visit with your surgeon tomorrow.  Make sure to take someone with you for support and to also be a good listener. 

It was 1 month ago today that I met with my surgeon for my first consultation and exam.  He met with me first and asked me what I knew about melanoma and my pathology report.  (All I had been told by my dermatologist was that my melanoma was .85mm thick and he needed to refer me to this surgical oncologist.)  My surgeon listened to my concerns and then gave me an in-depth update on melanoma followed by a body exam.  Afterwards, he invited my husband into the exam room and we discussed an action plan of what needed to be done.  I was assured that my melanoma was thin (<1mm) and that there was only a 6% chance it had spread to nearby lymph nodes.  My surgeon recommended a SLN trace and biopsy to be followed with the surgical wide excision to remove any traces of melanoma and leave clear margins around the original melanoma site.  My surgery was scheduled that same day.

Best of luck to you,

Sharon in GA (stage III)

I'm relatively new here too, but I wish you the best of luck as you visit with your surgeon tomorrow.  Make sure to take someone with you for support and to also be a good listener. 

It was 1 month ago today that I met with my surgeon for my first consultation and exam.  He met with me first and asked me what I knew about melanoma and my pathology report.  (All I had been told by my dermatologist was that my melanoma was .85mm thick and he needed to refer me to this surgical oncologist.)  My surgeon listened to my concerns and then gave me an in-depth update on melanoma followed by a body exam.  Afterwards, he invited my husband into the exam room and we discussed an action plan of what needed to be done.  I was assured that my melanoma was thin (<1mm) and that there was only a 6% chance it had spread to nearby lymph nodes.  My surgeon recommended a SLN trace and biopsy to be followed with the surgical wide excision to remove any traces of melanoma and leave clear margins around the original melanoma site.  My surgery was scheduled that same day.

Best of luck to you,

Sharon in GA (stage III)

You might want to ask what his experience with melanoma is. Since he's a "general" surgeon, you might want to ask for a referral to a melanoma specialist surgical oncologist. If, for whatever reason, you choose not to ask for a referral…please before you do anything beyond having this procedure..get to a specialist. That's sooooo important!

Hate you've joined our group, but you're in a good place.

Grace and peace,

Carol stage 3b

You might want to ask what his experience with melanoma is. Since he's a "general" surgeon, you might want to ask for a referral to a melanoma specialist surgical oncologist. If, for whatever reason, you choose not to ask for a referral…please before you do anything beyond having this procedure..get to a specialist. That's sooooo important!

Hate you've joined our group, but you're in a good place.

Grace and peace,

Carol stage 3b

Lisa — Welcome to our unfortunate club. Where was your melanoma located? This is a factor effecting prognosis. In any case your melanoma is thin and you should be in good shape.

I second what Carol said about seeing a melanoma specialist. These are usually located at major medical centers.

Lisa — Welcome to our unfortunate club. Where was your melanoma located? This is a factor effecting prognosis. In any case your melanoma is thin and you should be in good shape.

I second what Carol said about seeing a melanoma specialist. These are usually located at major medical centers.

Welcome to our forum. Thanks for the pathology details. The fact that the depth of the
lesion is only 0.6 mm is a very good sign, and it certainly looks like the melanoma has
been detected very early.

I think that it is wise to make a list of any questions that you may have before the
appointment. Many people also find it helpful to take notes during the consultation.

Please let us know what the surgeon says.

Hope this helps.

Frank from Australia

Welcome to our forum. Thanks for the pathology details. The fact that the depth of the
lesion is only 0.6 mm is a very good sign, and it certainly looks like the melanoma has
been detected very early.

I think that it is wise to make a list of any questions that you may have before the
appointment. Many people also find it helpful to take notes during the consultation.

Please let us know what the surgeon says.

Hope this helps.

Frank from Australia

Hi.  I was called and told I have Clark level 2 melanoma over the phone and had to see a plastic surgeon. The nurse said she had no idea what it meant. I have an appointment on Monday and am unaware of what will occur. 

Hi.  I was called and told I have Clark level 2 melanoma over the phone and had to see a plastic surgeon. The nurse said she had no idea what it meant. I have an appointment on Monday and am unaware of what will occur. 

Hi.  I was called and told I have Clark level 2 melanoma over the phone and had to see a plastic surgeon. The nurse said she had no idea what it meant. I have an appointment on Monday and am unaware of what will occur.