Dumb Question???

First, of all, I don't think it's a dumb question. If it's something that concerns you, it could never be dumb to ask.

However, I think it's difficult to give you an answer without knowing more specifics of your situation, which may be why no one has responded before now.

I would think that there is always a risk of cancer cells getting into the blood/lymph system whenever surgery is done, regardless of if another tumor was infiltrated. 

I still believe in my husband's case that a few cancer cells got displaced when he had his original punch biopsy 2 years ago that eventually led to his recent stage IV diagnosis. Certainly, it was a small risk considering how small and thin the melanoma was at that time, but there is always risk.

Were you placed at an increased risk because of the tumor infiltration during surgery? Possibly. But who's to say that those cells aren't already in the blood/lymph system if you have more than one tumor now?

I don't know if this helped you or not, but I hope it has. You did not say your current stage or what further treatments are planned in your care. If you will be having some sort of systemic treatment post surgery, then that could very well take care of any "rogue" cells that might have gotten dislodged during surgery.

If it's a concern for you, then I would absolutely discuss it with your specialist. Do you have  an Melanoma specialist yet?

Michelle, wife of Don

First, of all, I don't think it's a dumb question. If it's something that concerns you, it could never be dumb to ask.

However, I think it's difficult to give you an answer without knowing more specifics of your situation, which may be why no one has responded before now.

I would think that there is always a risk of cancer cells getting into the blood/lymph system whenever surgery is done, regardless of if another tumor was infiltrated. 

I still believe in my husband's case that a few cancer cells got displaced when he had his original punch biopsy 2 years ago that eventually led to his recent stage IV diagnosis. Certainly, it was a small risk considering how small and thin the melanoma was at that time, but there is always risk.

Were you placed at an increased risk because of the tumor infiltration during surgery? Possibly. But who's to say that those cells aren't already in the blood/lymph system if you have more than one tumor now?

I don't know if this helped you or not, but I hope it has. You did not say your current stage or what further treatments are planned in your care. If you will be having some sort of systemic treatment post surgery, then that could very well take care of any "rogue" cells that might have gotten dislodged during surgery.

If it's a concern for you, then I would absolutely discuss it with your specialist. Do you have  an Melanoma specialist yet?

Michelle, wife of Don

Hi,

There is always a chance a few "loose" or "stray" cells are still  floating around and they attach themselves to an ogran and grow a new tumor;that is my case-after removing a primary and a following surgery to get clear margins/lypmph nodes, I've just had a small reocurrence in the same area ;the onc surgeons told me that it loooks like few cells from the original tumor "escaped" to take a root in the same area.I am currently undergoing radiation and looking into clinical trials.

If you have a  strong immune system, healthy diet and most important-NO stress-/I can't stress enough how important that is/,your body should be able to fight off any viruses, including "stray"cancer cells.Human body is a complex biochemical organism that has its own mechanisms to fight  viruses, bacterias , infection and cancer also.So don't freak out.Try to stay as healthy as possible and No stress!!

Teodora 

Hi,

There is always a chance a few "loose" or "stray" cells are still  floating around and they attach themselves to an ogran and grow a new tumor;that is my case-after removing a primary and a following surgery to get clear margins/lypmph nodes, I've just had a small reocurrence in the same area ;the onc surgeons told me that it loooks like few cells from the original tumor "escaped" to take a root in the same area.I am currently undergoing radiation and looking into clinical trials.

If you have a  strong immune system, healthy diet and most important-NO stress-/I can't stress enough how important that is/,your body should be able to fight off any viruses, including "stray"cancer cells.Human body is a complex biochemical organism that has its own mechanisms to fight  viruses, bacterias , infection and cancer also.So don't freak out.Try to stay as healthy as possible and No stress!!

Teodora