Pathology Results
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Pathology Results

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Pathology Results

  • Post
    • September 21, 2013 at 12:39 am
    JoshF
    Participant

    Well I got the results just a bit ago. The two lesions were both melanoma…7mm & 4mm. I asked if they were nodes, he said that path didn't state that. I'm baffled as I just had CT Scan…blood work etc… which was all good. Now I need another PET/CT and surgery….what are chances of spread…I'm devastated.

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  • Replies
      • September 21, 2013 at 1:09 am
      MattF
      Participant

      I'm so sorry Josh. But you are not alone.

      We are stge III together. Yes mine are masses…couldn't get the doctor or path to state nodes, just masses in Parotid Salivary and Submandibular.

      I have surgery nect week…parotidectomy and lymph node dissection.

      In Oct I meet with radiation onc and melanoma onc to discuss post surgery treatment…ie radiation on the neck or interferon vs yervoy.

      My small little pea sized lump came about 2 weeks after i have a complete ct and ultrasound checkup. Thing moves fast.

      Luckily my pet only came back with the two masses in neck (which at this point you can see with the naked eye), but surgeon wants to rule out any brain involvement and get a look at the tumors with an MRI next week before surgery.

      I'm taking it one step at a time…and realizing I maybe in for an uncomfortable 6 months but it must be done.

        • September 21, 2013 at 1:32 am
        JoshF
        Participant
        How long until you noticed lumps? I just wish I knew how long they were there. Obviously nervous about PET…
        • September 21, 2013 at 1:32 am
        JoshF
        Participant
        How long until you noticed lumps? I just wish I knew how long they were there. Obviously nervous about PET…
        • September 21, 2013 at 1:32 am
        JoshF
        Participant
        How long until you noticed lumps? I just wish I knew how long they were there. Obviously nervous about PET…
        • September 21, 2013 at 1:54 am
        JoshF
        Participant
        Matt…wouldn’t PET show brain lesion? I’m sorry…stuck in whirlwind right now. I’m wishing you all the best with upcoming surgery.
        • September 21, 2013 at 2:39 am
        Janner
        Participant

        PET scans are not good for scanning the brain.  PET scans show metabolic activity and the brain (hopefully) always has metabolic activity.  Therefore, it's hard to distinguish between "normal" and "tumor" in the brain with a PET scan.  MRI is the scan of choice for the brain.

        • September 21, 2013 at 2:39 am
        Janner
        Participant

        PET scans are not good for scanning the brain.  PET scans show metabolic activity and the brain (hopefully) always has metabolic activity.  Therefore, it's hard to distinguish between "normal" and "tumor" in the brain with a PET scan.  MRI is the scan of choice for the brain.

        • September 21, 2013 at 2:39 am
        Janner
        Participant

        PET scans are not good for scanning the brain.  PET scans show metabolic activity and the brain (hopefully) always has metabolic activity.  Therefore, it's hard to distinguish between "normal" and "tumor" in the brain with a PET scan.  MRI is the scan of choice for the brain.

        • September 25, 2013 at 5:48 am
        MattF
        Participant

        I felt the lumps in late Jun and they felt like little peas…now about the size of a walnut (so 3 months of growing)

        I asked about the PET/CT which cleared my lungs, abdomen and brain but doctor said she wants the MRI of my face and neck anyway to see what the METS might be doing. and wants to make sure no smaller mets in brain.

         

        I guess the PET is set to a specific size or amount of activity.

         

        • September 25, 2013 at 5:48 am
        MattF
        Participant

        I felt the lumps in late Jun and they felt like little peas…now about the size of a walnut (so 3 months of growing)

        I asked about the PET/CT which cleared my lungs, abdomen and brain but doctor said she wants the MRI of my face and neck anyway to see what the METS might be doing. and wants to make sure no smaller mets in brain.

         

        I guess the PET is set to a specific size or amount of activity.

         

        • September 25, 2013 at 5:48 am
        MattF
        Participant

        I felt the lumps in late Jun and they felt like little peas…now about the size of a walnut (so 3 months of growing)

        I asked about the PET/CT which cleared my lungs, abdomen and brain but doctor said she wants the MRI of my face and neck anyway to see what the METS might be doing. and wants to make sure no smaller mets in brain.

         

        I guess the PET is set to a specific size or amount of activity.

         

        • September 21, 2013 at 1:54 am
        JoshF
        Participant
        Matt…wouldn’t PET show brain lesion? I’m sorry…stuck in whirlwind right now. I’m wishing you all the best with upcoming surgery.
        • September 21, 2013 at 1:54 am
        JoshF
        Participant
        Matt…wouldn’t PET show brain lesion? I’m sorry…stuck in whirlwind right now. I’m wishing you all the best with upcoming surgery.
      • September 21, 2013 at 1:09 am
      MattF
      Participant

      I'm so sorry Josh. But you are not alone.

      We are stge III together. Yes mine are masses…couldn't get the doctor or path to state nodes, just masses in Parotid Salivary and Submandibular.

      I have surgery nect week…parotidectomy and lymph node dissection.

      In Oct I meet with radiation onc and melanoma onc to discuss post surgery treatment…ie radiation on the neck or interferon vs yervoy.

      My small little pea sized lump came about 2 weeks after i have a complete ct and ultrasound checkup. Thing moves fast.

      Luckily my pet only came back with the two masses in neck (which at this point you can see with the naked eye), but surgeon wants to rule out any brain involvement and get a look at the tumors with an MRI next week before surgery.

      I'm taking it one step at a time…and realizing I maybe in for an uncomfortable 6 months but it must be done.

      • September 21, 2013 at 1:09 am
      MattF
      Participant

      I'm so sorry Josh. But you are not alone.

      We are stge III together. Yes mine are masses…couldn't get the doctor or path to state nodes, just masses in Parotid Salivary and Submandibular.

      I have surgery nect week…parotidectomy and lymph node dissection.

      In Oct I meet with radiation onc and melanoma onc to discuss post surgery treatment…ie radiation on the neck or interferon vs yervoy.

      My small little pea sized lump came about 2 weeks after i have a complete ct and ultrasound checkup. Thing moves fast.

      Luckily my pet only came back with the two masses in neck (which at this point you can see with the naked eye), but surgeon wants to rule out any brain involvement and get a look at the tumors with an MRI next week before surgery.

      I'm taking it one step at a time…and realizing I maybe in for an uncomfortable 6 months but it must be done.

      • September 21, 2013 at 1:14 am
      Janner
      Participant

      Sorry to hear this.  Scans aren't always the best at finding small nodules and blood work is not a great indicator of anything when it comes to melanoma.  Hopefully, this is all localized in the area and you won't be dealing with anything else.  There's still hope that it is all just at the scar area!  Hang in there!

      • September 21, 2013 at 1:14 am
      Janner
      Participant

      Sorry to hear this.  Scans aren't always the best at finding small nodules and blood work is not a great indicator of anything when it comes to melanoma.  Hopefully, this is all localized in the area and you won't be dealing with anything else.  There's still hope that it is all just at the scar area!  Hang in there!

      • September 21, 2013 at 1:14 am
      Janner
      Participant

      Sorry to hear this.  Scans aren't always the best at finding small nodules and blood work is not a great indicator of anything when it comes to melanoma.  Hopefully, this is all localized in the area and you won't be dealing with anything else.  There's still hope that it is all just at the scar area!  Hang in there!

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