need some help with understanding the report
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need some help with understanding the report

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › need some help with understanding the report

  • Post
    • July 26, 2011 at 3:41 am
    alexandra
    Participant

    Hi –

    I got my pathology report today. Here's what it says:

    Hi –

    I got my pathology report today. Here's what it says:

    Micro examination: This excisional biopsy measured 9 x 6 x 1 mm. and is cut in three sections and submitted in toto. In parts of the lesion there are typical features of dysplastic nevus with lentigunous proliferation of nests and single atypical pigmented melanocytes along the dermo-epidermal junction with fibroplasias in the dermal papillae. However, there are areas in lesion of epithelioid pigmented melanocytes in the epidermis. There is some upward migration of single cells. As well as there are similar nests of atypical melanocytes infiltrating the papillary dermis with a dense infiltrate of lymphocytes and melanophages. The morphology is compatible with a malignant melanoma, level 2 invasion developing in a dysplastic nevus. The vertical height measurement is 0.47mm. and there is no ulceration. The lesion is completely excited in the plane of section examined. The mitotic index is two mitoses per 1mm. squared.

    Diagnosis: Malignant melanoma developing in a dysplastic nevus, level 2 invasion, vertical height 0.47mm.

    I honestly don't know what it says. I would also like to know if anyone recommends SNB. The doctor said I don't need one, but I want to make sure that I make the right decision.

    Thank you!

    Alexandra

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  • Replies
      • July 26, 2011 at 4:12 am
      lhaley
      Participant

      Alexandra,

      This report is saying that you have a Clarks level 2, Breslow of .47 with a miotic rate of 2.  Usually an SNB is done for .75 if ulcerated . Yours is thinner than that with no ulceration. You should be having a wide excision just to make sure that there is a safe margin.  According to standard protocal you should not be having an SNB.

      Have they scheduled the wide excision?   Glad to see that it was a fairly thin melanoma.  Make sure to continue to check your skin in the future!

      Linda

      Stage IV for 5 years , 7 weeks NED   multiple primaries

      • July 26, 2011 at 4:12 am
      lhaley
      Participant

      Alexandra,

      This report is saying that you have a Clarks level 2, Breslow of .47 with a miotic rate of 2.  Usually an SNB is done for .75 if ulcerated . Yours is thinner than that with no ulceration. You should be having a wide excision just to make sure that there is a safe margin.  According to standard protocal you should not be having an SNB.

      Have they scheduled the wide excision?   Glad to see that it was a fairly thin melanoma.  Make sure to continue to check your skin in the future!

      Linda

      Stage IV for 5 years , 7 weeks NED   multiple primaries

      • July 26, 2011 at 12:08 pm
      MichaelFL
      Participant

      As far as melanoma goes, you are in a good place. This is a fairly thin lesion with no ulceration which is good. At a .47 mm Breslow and 2 mitosis (rate of cell division), that puts you at stage 1B.

      A SNB is not usually considered until the melanoma is .755 if ulcerated and 1.0 mm if not ulcerated.

      Congratulate yourself for catching this early!

      Keep up the skin checks for "change" and the derm visits too.

      Michael-1B as well.

      • July 26, 2011 at 12:08 pm
      MichaelFL
      Participant

      As far as melanoma goes, you are in a good place. This is a fairly thin lesion with no ulceration which is good. At a .47 mm Breslow and 2 mitosis (rate of cell division), that puts you at stage 1B.

      A SNB is not usually considered until the melanoma is .755 if ulcerated and 1.0 mm if not ulcerated.

      Congratulate yourself for catching this early!

      Keep up the skin checks for "change" and the derm visits too.

      Michael-1B as well.

        • July 26, 2011 at 12:11 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        Sorry-have not had coffee yet.

        It should say: A SNB is not usually considered until the melanoma is .75 mm if ulcerated and 1.0 mm if not ulcerated.

        • July 26, 2011 at 12:11 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        Sorry-have not had coffee yet.

        It should say: A SNB is not usually considered until the melanoma is .75 mm if ulcerated and 1.0 mm if not ulcerated.

        • July 26, 2011 at 12:46 pm
        Ranisa
        Participant

        It almost doesn't get any better than this.  It is a stage 1A.  Anything under 1 mm and no unceration is a A.

        • July 26, 2011 at 12:46 pm
        Ranisa
        Participant

        It almost doesn't get any better than this.  It is a stage 1A.  Anything under 1 mm and no unceration is a A.

        • July 26, 2011 at 12:49 pm
        Ranisa
        Participant

        Sorry it is a "B" the mitoses got me.  Stage 1B-me too!

        • July 26, 2011 at 12:49 pm
        Ranisa
        Participant

        Sorry it is a "B" the mitoses got me.  Stage 1B-me too!

        • July 26, 2011 at 12:58 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        Yes. That is what kicked me to 1b too. The mitosis.

        • July 26, 2011 at 12:58 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        Yes. That is what kicked me to 1b too. The mitosis.

      • July 26, 2011 at 1:30 pm
      alexandra
      Participant

      Thank you so much for all your replies. I really appreciate you took the time to read my report.

      The derm is scheduling me for WLE. She referred me to a plastic surgeon and said no lymphnode biopsy is needed.

      Thank you again for helping me to undersand the report.

      • July 26, 2011 at 1:30 pm
      alexandra
      Participant

      Thank you so much for all your replies. I really appreciate you took the time to read my report.

      The derm is scheduling me for WLE. She referred me to a plastic surgeon and said no lymphnode biopsy is needed.

      Thank you again for helping me to undersand the report.

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