Ages of Stage 4 Diagnosis?

I was diagnosed with stage 4 at 32 and am now 33 x 

I was diagnosed with stage 4 at 32 and am now 33 x 

I was diagnosed with stage 4 at 32 and am now 33 x 

Diagnosed with stage IV 3 months ago, primary unknown. I am 35 years old.

Diagnosed with stage IV 3 months ago, primary unknown. I am 35 years old.

Diagnosed with stage IV 3 months ago, primary unknown. I am 35 years old.

First diagnosed stage IIC at 37. Now stage IV at 40. Working full time. Gym several times a week. Life goes on and I feel really good. No treatment other than surgery (NED after surgery).

Relative to the comments about sun exposure, not all melanomas are caused by overexposure to UV rays. I really doubt that mine was caused by the sun as I was not a tanner and I have had an indoor desk job my whole life. No doubt that many are caused by overexposure to the sun so you still need to be careful. At stage IV though, I am not too concerned about the sun anymore… I put on sunscreen, wear a hat, and drive my convertible :).

Kevin

First diagnosed stage IIC at 37. Now stage IV at 40. Working full time. Gym several times a week. Life goes on and I feel really good. No treatment other than surgery (NED after surgery).

Relative to the comments about sun exposure, not all melanomas are caused by overexposure to UV rays. I really doubt that mine was caused by the sun as I was not a tanner and I have had an indoor desk job my whole life. No doubt that many are caused by overexposure to the sun so you still need to be careful. At stage IV though, I am not too concerned about the sun anymore… I put on sunscreen, wear a hat, and drive my convertible :).

Kevin

First diagnosed stage IIC at 37. Now stage IV at 40. Working full time. Gym several times a week. Life goes on and I feel really good. No treatment other than surgery (NED after surgery).

Relative to the comments about sun exposure, not all melanomas are caused by overexposure to UV rays. I really doubt that mine was caused by the sun as I was not a tanner and I have had an indoor desk job my whole life. No doubt that many are caused by overexposure to the sun so you still need to be careful. At stage IV though, I am not too concerned about the sun anymore… I put on sunscreen, wear a hat, and drive my convertible :).

Kevin

Stage IA at 38 years old

Stage IIIB at 43 years old

Stage IV at 45 years old

NED at TBD

Brian

Stage IA at 38 years old

Stage IIIB at 43 years old

Stage IV at 45 years old

NED at TBD

Brian

Stage IA at 38 years old

Stage IIIB at 43 years old

Stage IV at 45 years old

NED at TBD

Brian

I was diagnosed with Stage 1A back in August 2007 and with Stage IV in September 2013 at the age of 40. 

I've had one round of ipi (from Nov 13 to Jan 14) and have responded well with some tumours disappearing and others shrinking or stable. I had some surgery last week to get rid of one of the bigger remaining ones and also a small one that was growing.

I was diagnosed with Stage 1A back in August 2007 and with Stage IV in September 2013 at the age of 40. 

I've had one round of ipi (from Nov 13 to Jan 14) and have responded well with some tumours disappearing and others shrinking or stable. I had some surgery last week to get rid of one of the bigger remaining ones and also a small one that was growing.

I was diagnosed with Stage 1A back in August 2007 and with Stage IV in September 2013 at the age of 40. 

I've had one round of ipi (from Nov 13 to Jan 14) and have responded well with some tumours disappearing and others shrinking or stable. I had some surgery last week to get rid of one of the bigger remaining ones and also a small one that was growing.

May 2003 (29) – Stage I, .5MM (signs of regression to .7MM).  Wide excision and sentinel lymph node testing all clear.  Followed by melanoma specialist for 10 years of uneventful appointments.

June/July 2013 (39) – Stage IV with relatively few symptoms but metastasis to multiple organs, including 15 or so liver tumors.  (Presently doing well with a reduced tumor burden primarily due to the GSK combo).

So, yes, for the anonymous poster who questioned the prevailing wisdom about Stage I and the passage of time–it can happen (though it usually does not).

May 2003 (29) – Stage I, .5MM (signs of regression to .7MM).  Wide excision and sentinel lymph node testing all clear.  Followed by melanoma specialist for 10 years of uneventful appointments.

June/July 2013 (39) – Stage IV with relatively few symptoms but metastasis to multiple organs, including 15 or so liver tumors.  (Presently doing well with a reduced tumor burden primarily due to the GSK combo).

So, yes, for the anonymous poster who questioned the prevailing wisdom about Stage I and the passage of time–it can happen (though it usually does not).

May 2003 (29) – Stage I, .5MM (signs of regression to .7MM).  Wide excision and sentinel lymph node testing all clear.  Followed by melanoma specialist for 10 years of uneventful appointments.

June/July 2013 (39) – Stage IV with relatively few symptoms but metastasis to multiple organs, including 15 or so liver tumors.  (Presently doing well with a reduced tumor burden primarily due to the GSK combo).

So, yes, for the anonymous poster who questioned the prevailing wisdom about Stage I and the passage of time–it can happen (though it usually does not).

Stage 4 June 21 2013 age 46  did maybe a dozen or so tan booth times in my mid 20s, had some sun burns as a kid, had awful cystic acne as a teen and finally did acutane when I was 20

Actually though first symptom was Oct 2012 when a couple times for a moment I couldn't stand but doc thought it was back muscle spasms.

Finally spread out of my bones to lymph node in April 23 2014 pet scan.

Stage 4 June 21 2013 age 46  did maybe a dozen or so tan booth times in my mid 20s, had some sun burns as a kid, had awful cystic acne as a teen and finally did acutane when I was 20

Actually though first symptom was Oct 2012 when a couple times for a moment I couldn't stand but doc thought it was back muscle spasms.

Finally spread out of my bones to lymph node in April 23 2014 pet scan.

Stage 4 June 21 2013 age 46  did maybe a dozen or so tan booth times in my mid 20s, had some sun burns as a kid, had awful cystic acne as a teen and finally did acutane when I was 20

Actually though first symptom was Oct 2012 when a couple times for a moment I couldn't stand but doc thought it was back muscle spasms.

Finally spread out of my bones to lymph node in April 23 2014 pet scan.

primary 1995  (31 years old)

NED 1995 -2000

Stage iv 2001   (37yo)

NED 2003 -2011

2011 – present  …. as Charlie S. says, "not dead yet"

Just turned 50!  In 2000, as a single mom with two small kids, when disease progressed to stage3, was told I wouldn't make it to 40.  What do "they" know? Both kids are wonderful young adults and I am very thankful to have grown them up and pray daily that I will know my grandkids. (which aren't due any sooner than 5 years from now!)

Irish white skin always sunburned before tanning.  Back in the 70's we used sun tan lotion, not sunscreen!

Learned to swim at 3 and spent every momnet of every summer outside if I could.

primary 1995  (31 years old)

NED 1995 -2000

Stage iv 2001   (37yo)

NED 2003 -2011

2011 – present  …. as Charlie S. says, "not dead yet"

Just turned 50!  In 2000, as a single mom with two small kids, when disease progressed to stage3, was told I wouldn't make it to 40.  What do "they" know? Both kids are wonderful young adults and I am very thankful to have grown them up and pray daily that I will know my grandkids. (which aren't due any sooner than 5 years from now!)

Irish white skin always sunburned before tanning.  Back in the 70's we used sun tan lotion, not sunscreen!

Learned to swim at 3 and spent every momnet of every summer outside if I could.

primary 1995  (31 years old)

NED 1995 -2000

Stage iv 2001   (37yo)

NED 2003 -2011

2011 – present  …. as Charlie S. says, "not dead yet"

Just turned 50!  In 2000, as a single mom with two small kids, when disease progressed to stage3, was told I wouldn't make it to 40.  What do "they" know? Both kids are wonderful young adults and I am very thankful to have grown them up and pray daily that I will know my grandkids. (which aren't due any sooner than 5 years from now!)

Irish white skin always sunburned before tanning.  Back in the 70's we used sun tan lotion, not sunscreen!

Learned to swim at 3 and spent every momnet of every summer outside if I could.

My husband went from having three malignant melanomas removed 8 years ago with clear margins and nothing else done to him now being 58 and stage IV.  Involvement is lung, colon, stomach, gallbladder, lymphnodes, adrenal gland and 12 brain lesions.

My husband went from having three malignant melanomas removed 8 years ago with clear margins and nothing else done to him now being 58 and stage IV.  Involvement is lung, colon, stomach, gallbladder, lymphnodes, adrenal gland and 12 brain lesions.

My husband went from having three malignant melanomas removed 8 years ago with clear margins and nothing else done to him now being 58 and stage IV.  Involvement is lung, colon, stomach, gallbladder, lymphnodes, adrenal gland and 12 brain lesions.

I was Stage IV in July 2012 but misdiagnosed as lung cancer (carcinoid) at that time.  Had a lobectomy and went on with life.  New mets in other lung discovered January 2014.  No mets anywhere else.  Lung needle biopsy in March determined metastatic melanoma unknown primary.  Weighing options now.  I'm 48 (was 46 when it first showed up).

Had a couple of sunburns as a child and one tanning bed experience as an adult (did not like it).  I was always told I tanned beautifully so I kept it up with minimal sunscreen.  Now I have cancer and wrinkles to show for it.  Oh well.  I also have loads of moles.

Maggie

I was Stage IV in July 2012 but misdiagnosed as lung cancer (carcinoid) at that time.  Had a lobectomy and went on with life.  New mets in other lung discovered January 2014.  No mets anywhere else.  Lung needle biopsy in March determined metastatic melanoma unknown primary.  Weighing options now.  I'm 48 (was 46 when it first showed up).

Had a couple of sunburns as a child and one tanning bed experience as an adult (did not like it).  I was always told I tanned beautifully so I kept it up with minimal sunscreen.  Now I have cancer and wrinkles to show for it.  Oh well.  I also have loads of moles.

Maggie

I was Stage IV in July 2012 but misdiagnosed as lung cancer (carcinoid) at that time.  Had a lobectomy and went on with life.  New mets in other lung discovered January 2014.  No mets anywhere else.  Lung needle biopsy in March determined metastatic melanoma unknown primary.  Weighing options now.  I'm 48 (was 46 when it first showed up).

Had a couple of sunburns as a child and one tanning bed experience as an adult (did not like it).  I was always told I tanned beautifully so I kept it up with minimal sunscreen.  Now I have cancer and wrinkles to show for it.  Oh well.  I also have loads of moles.

Maggie

Diagnosed initial mole at 37y/o. Became stage IV at age 40 and just turned 50 last month 🙂

Tina

Diagnosed initial mole at 37y/o. Became stage IV at age 40 and just turned 50 last month 🙂

Tina

Diagnosed initial mole at 37y/o. Became stage IV at age 40 and just turned 50 last month 🙂

Tina