Can Staging be done from initial biopsy???

This topic has 30 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 5 months ago by mimi0201.

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- November 13, 2010 at 2:11 pm
- Quote
davekarrie
Participant
My name is Dave, I am very healthy at 36, and I was diagnosed with melanoma yesterday after having what I thought was an innocent large mole removed. The dr. said it was stage 4, but after reading I am hoping he meant thickness 4. He said there were 5 stages, but he wasn't too confident. I am going to meet with a surgeon Thursday and sounds like they want to take a larger area around the mole and test lymph nodes.

My name is Dave, I am very healthy at 36, and I was diagnosed with melanoma yesterday after having what I thought was an innocent large mole removed. The dr. said it was stage 4, but after reading I am hoping he meant thickness 4. He said there were 5 stages, but he wasn't too confident. I am going to meet with a surgeon Thursday and sounds like they want to take a larger area around the mole and test lymph nodes. Very scary for sure, and my world is now upside down. any info would help. I will call and get my biopsy report so I can look at thickness etc.

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- - November 13, 2010 at 2:24 pm
  - Quote
  W.
  Participant
  He probably meant Clark's Level. There are 5 different Clark's Levels.
  
  Staging cannot be done from initial biopsy (except for very thin stage 0 or stage 1 melanomas).
  
  To diagnose stage 4, a doctor must find remote metastases which is usually done with PET/CT scans plus biopsy.
  - November 13, 2010 at 2:32 pm
    
    Quote
    davekarrie
    Participant
    
    Thank you very much for response, it puts me a bit more at ease. thanks again
  - November 13, 2010 at 2:50 pm
    
    Quote
    ChristineL
    Participant
    
    And as is commonly mentioned, find someone (Dr.) who is familiar with melanoma. I hate that doctors confuse Stages with Clark's. In my mind, it causes MUCH undue stress to the patient. I'm glad you were able to get an answer from this board to ease your mind. Now go kick some melanoma butt!
  - November 13, 2010 at 2:50 pm
    
    Quote
    ChristineL
    Participant
    
    And as is commonly mentioned, find someone (Dr.) who is familiar with melanoma. I hate that doctors confuse Stages with Clark's. In my mind, it causes MUCH undue stress to the patient. I'm glad you were able to get an answer from this board to ease your mind. Now go kick some melanoma butt!
  - November 13, 2010 at 2:32 pm
    
    Quote
    davekarrie
    Participant
    
    Thank you very much for response, it puts me a bit more at ease. thanks again
- - November 13, 2010 at 2:24 pm
  - Quote
  W.
  Participant
  He probably meant Clark's Level. There are 5 different Clark's Levels.
  
  Staging cannot be done from initial biopsy (except for very thin stage 0 or stage 1 melanomas).
  
  To diagnose stage 4, a doctor must find remote metastases which is usually done with PET/CT scans plus biopsy.
- - November 13, 2010 at 2:58 pm
  - Quote
  Dynasysman
  Participant
  Dave —
  
  I couldn't agree with Christine more…it's critical to get yourself to a melanoma specialist. Misinformation saps the will, and in this kind of battle, will is everything.
  
  Now to agree with Christine again, get the right expert to help drive your treatment, and go kick some melanoma butt.
- - November 13, 2010 at 2:58 pm
  - Quote
  Dynasysman
  Participant
  Dave —
  
  I couldn't agree with Christine more…it's critical to get yourself to a melanoma specialist. Misinformation saps the will, and in this kind of battle, will is everything.
  
  Now to agree with Christine again, get the right expert to help drive your treatment, and go kick some melanoma butt.
- - November 13, 2010 at 3:22 pm
  - Quote
  Fen
  Participant
  Dave – if you will post your general location people might be able to make suggestions about who to see in that area. You want to find a melanoma onc who will spend time with you and be able to discuss current treatments. Reading about others' experiences can make that process more efficient.
- - November 13, 2010 at 3:22 pm
  - Quote
  Fen
  Participant
  Dave – if you will post your general location people might be able to make suggestions about who to see in that area. You want to find a melanoma onc who will spend time with you and be able to discuss current treatments. Reading about others' experiences can make that process more efficient.
  - November 13, 2010 at 3:41 pm
    
    Quote
    davekarrie
    Participant
    
    Thanks to everyone for the great support! I live in Grand Forks, ND, so anyone knows of a good specialist let me know. I am going to see a general surgeon on Thursday for a consulation, and will ask him of any specialists as well. We have a cancer center here in Grand Forks, so will also look into that. Thanks again!
  - November 13, 2010 at 3:41 pm
    
    Quote
    davekarrie
    Participant
    
    Thanks to everyone for the great support! I live in Grand Forks, ND, so anyone knows of a good specialist let me know. I am going to see a general surgeon on Thursday for a consulation, and will ask him of any specialists as well. We have a cancer center here in Grand Forks, so will also look into that. Thanks again!
- - November 13, 2010 at 4:01 pm
  - Quote
  Janner
  Participant
  Dave,
  
  Ask for a copy of your pathology report. That will give you the information you need to know. Clark's Level, not stage is the information you will find with the initial biopsy. However, Clark's Level is not the most important piece of information. Breslow depth – or the depth of the lesion – is the most significant prognostic indicator. This is typically given in millimeters. If you get a copy of your report and post it here, we can also help you understand the important parts.
  
  I'll give you a brief warning. If the lesion is over 1mm, you want the surgeon to schedule a Sentinal Lymph Node Biopsy (usually abbreviated SNB on this site). This must be done prior to the WLE (wide local excision). You are seeing the surgeon for AT LEAST the WLE to get good margins on the mole. You don't want to have any stray cells left behind. But depending on depth (and other possible factors), you need to have the SNB done PRIOR to the WLE. Usually, they are done at the same surgical setting with the SNB first immediately followed by the WLE. The order is important.
  
  If you can post a copy of your pathology report, we can be of better help to you.
  
  Best wishes,
  
  Janner
  - November 13, 2010 at 4:36 pm
    
    Quote
    ChristineL
    Participant
    
    And now, some are suggesting SNB for lesions 0.75 mm and greater. Mine was about 0.8 mm and I had positive node in my SNB. Microscopic, yes, but I'm glad that sucker is gone!!!
    
    ChristineL
  - November 13, 2010 at 4:36 pm
    
    Quote
    ChristineL
    Participant
    
    And now, some are suggesting SNB for lesions 0.75 mm and greater. Mine was about 0.8 mm and I had positive node in my SNB. Microscopic, yes, but I'm glad that sucker is gone!!!
    
    ChristineL
  - November 13, 2010 at 9:27 pm
    
    Quote
    Springbok
    Participant
    
    Janner… Could you please explain why the SNB needs to be done before the WLE?
    
    Many thanks
  - November 13, 2010 at 9:42 pm
    
    Quote
    ChristineL
    Participant
    
    I can answer this one if you don't mind…they need the skin nearest to the tumor intact so they can find out exactly which node that area is draining to. Before they do the WLE, they inject radioactive material into the skin near the tumor and follow the radioactivity to a node (or nodes). If they do the WLE first, the local skin will be gone, and there is really no way of knowing where the lymph from that area is going. Even a few inches from the tumor may actually drain to a different node. The WLE and SNB are usually done during the same surgery.
  - November 13, 2010 at 10:07 pm
    
    Quote
    davekarrie
    Participant
    
    My pathology report says I have Clarks level 4 and Breslow depth 1.5mm. I will be calling the Mayo clinic in Rochester MN to talk to specialist and deal with them. They are one of the best melanoma hospitals in the US. thanks for all the help and support, this is a great site.
  - November 13, 2010 at 10:21 pm
    
    Quote
    Springbok
    Participant
    
    Davekarrie,
    
    Please post the advice you get from the Mayo. I am in a very similar situation – 2.6mm Breslow, and Clarkes level 4
    
    Thanks
    
    Springbok
  - November 14, 2010 at 2:14 am
    
    Quote
    davekarrie
    Participant
    
    I will post what we find out at the Mayo, hopefully they can see me soon. will call first thing monday morning.
  - November 14, 2010 at 2:14 am
    
    Quote
    davekarrie
    Participant
    
    I will post what we find out at the Mayo, hopefully they can see me soon. will call first thing monday morning.
  - November 13, 2010 at 10:21 pm
    
    Quote
    Springbok
    Participant
    
    Davekarrie,
    
    Please post the advice you get from the Mayo. I am in a very similar situation – 2.6mm Breslow, and Clarkes level 4
    
    Thanks
    
    Springbok
  - November 13, 2010 at 10:07 pm
    
    Quote
    davekarrie
    Participant
    
    My pathology report says I have Clarks level 4 and Breslow depth 1.5mm. I will be calling the Mayo clinic in Rochester MN to talk to specialist and deal with them. They are one of the best melanoma hospitals in the US. thanks for all the help and support, this is a great site.
  - November 13, 2010 at 9:42 pm
    
    Quote
    ChristineL
    Participant
    
    I can answer this one if you don't mind…they need the skin nearest to the tumor intact so they can find out exactly which node that area is draining to. Before they do the WLE, they inject radioactive material into the skin near the tumor and follow the radioactivity to a node (or nodes). If they do the WLE first, the local skin will be gone, and there is really no way of knowing where the lymph from that area is going. Even a few inches from the tumor may actually drain to a different node. The WLE and SNB are usually done during the same surgery.
  - November 13, 2010 at 9:27 pm
    
    Quote
    Springbok
    Participant
    
    Janner… Could you please explain why the SNB needs to be done before the WLE?
    
    Many thanks
  - November 14, 2010 at 2:30 pm
    
    Quote
    fliberdy
    Participant
    
    Janner,
    
    Thanks for the info you posted about having the SNB done before the WLE. After reading these comments I am a little freaked out! My Dr. opted not to do the SNB and my labs came back with rogue cancer cells even though I had clear margins. So 2 weeks ago he went back in and did a wider incision and the SNB. He took two nodes which turned out to be negative but after reading your post I am worried. I wonder why he decided not to do the SNB during the first surgery. He is regarded as the best surgical oncologist in my local so what gives? I go for my final post op on Tuesday and will have some ??? for him.
    
    I am so grateful for the people on this site.
    
    fliberdy
  - November 14, 2010 at 2:30 pm
    
    Quote
    fliberdy
    Participant
    
    Janner,
    
    Thanks for the info you posted about having the SNB done before the WLE. After reading these comments I am a little freaked out! My Dr. opted not to do the SNB and my labs came back with rogue cancer cells even though I had clear margins. So 2 weeks ago he went back in and did a wider incision and the SNB. He took two nodes which turned out to be negative but after reading your post I am worried. I wonder why he decided not to do the SNB during the first surgery. He is regarded as the best surgical oncologist in my local so what gives? I go for my final post op on Tuesday and will have some ??? for him.
    
    I am so grateful for the people on this site.
    
    fliberdy
- - November 13, 2010 at 4:01 pm
  - Quote
  Janner
  Participant
  Dave,
  
  Ask for a copy of your pathology report. That will give you the information you need to know. Clark's Level, not stage is the information you will find with the initial biopsy. However, Clark's Level is not the most important piece of information. Breslow depth – or the depth of the lesion – is the most significant prognostic indicator. This is typically given in millimeters. If you get a copy of your report and post it here, we can also help you understand the important parts.
  
  I'll give you a brief warning. If the lesion is over 1mm, you want the surgeon to schedule a Sentinal Lymph Node Biopsy (usually abbreviated SNB on this site). This must be done prior to the WLE (wide local excision). You are seeing the surgeon for AT LEAST the WLE to get good margins on the mole. You don't want to have any stray cells left behind. But depending on depth (and other possible factors), you need to have the SNB done PRIOR to the WLE. Usually, they are done at the same surgical setting with the SNB first immediately followed by the WLE. The order is important.
  
  If you can post a copy of your pathology report, we can be of better help to you.
  
  Best wishes,
  
  Janner
- - November 14, 2010 at 7:49 pm
  - Quote
  mimi0201
  Participant
  Please do not use Mayo as your only source of info, get a second opnion. We had Mayo consultion and were not at all satisified. They do not specialize in Melanoma.
- - November 14, 2010 at 7:49 pm
  - Quote
  mimi0201
  Participant
  Please do not use Mayo as your only source of info, get a second opnion. We had Mayo consultion and were not at all satisified. They do not specialize in Melanoma.