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Does a partial biopsy of an early stage melanoma spread the cancer?
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Does a partial biopsy of an early stage melanoma spread the cancer?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Does a partial biopsy of an early stage melanoma spread the cancer?

  • Post
    • April 4, 2012 at 1:09 am
    mlbjab
    Participant

      I have a friend who is a breast cancer survivor.  She said it was very important not to cut through the tumor, or it can spread the cells.  is this the same with an early stage melanoma?  It seems it would spread it, wouldn't it?  Online I have read numerous times where melanoma has margins involved or the tumor was only partially biopsied.  I worry that someday they may say this does indeed spread the tumor. 

      I have a friend who is a breast cancer survivor.  She said it was very important not to cut through the tumor, or it can spread the cells.  is this the same with an early stage melanoma?  It seems it would spread it, wouldn't it?  Online I have read numerous times where melanoma has margins involved or the tumor was only partially biopsied.  I worry that someday they may say this does indeed spread the tumor. 

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 4, 2012 at 1:23 am
        Janner
        Participant

          I can't find any references at the moment, but I believe current studies say no.  I don't think anyone could give you a 100% guarantee, but retrospectively studies show no difference in prognosis between a full or partial biopsy.

          • April 4, 2012 at 1:23 am
          Janner
          Participant

            I can't find any references at the moment, but I believe current studies say no.  I don't think anyone could give you a 100% guarantee, but retrospectively studies show no difference in prognosis between a full or partial biopsy.

              • April 4, 2012 at 12:34 pm
              mlbjab
              Participant

                My cancer was only in situ, but it was cut through – they only biopsied part of the mole because they did not think it was cancerous (now I know how stupid that is, at the time I did not).  The wide excision did have cancer remaining in it as well.  So a larger excistion was needed.  I suppose I'm just confused as to why it is such a big deal to cut through other cancers and not such a big deal to cut through a melanoma.  Does an in situ melanoma cell have the potential to metastasize?  We should do a poll of those who progressed in early stage disease and see if they had their primary tumors cut through.  I don't understand why there are not studies on this.

                • April 4, 2012 at 1:01 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  There are studies, I've seen them.  I just can't find a reference now.  And a poll on a site like this would be very skewed.  You don't see the vast number of in situ patients who've gone on to live without any further incident.  You only see the "exceptions".  Truthfully, this site can be a bit much for an in situ patient.  It's really not a very good representation of the real world for in situ patients.

                  • April 4, 2012 at 1:01 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    There are studies, I've seen them.  I just can't find a reference now.  And a poll on a site like this would be very skewed.  You don't see the vast number of in situ patients who've gone on to live without any further incident.  You only see the "exceptions".  Truthfully, this site can be a bit much for an in situ patient.  It's really not a very good representation of the real world for in situ patients.

                    • April 4, 2012 at 1:01 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      There are studies, I've seen them.  I just can't find a reference now.  And a poll on a site like this would be very skewed.  You don't see the vast number of in situ patients who've gone on to live without any further incident.  You only see the "exceptions".  Truthfully, this site can be a bit much for an in situ patient.  It's really not a very good representation of the real world for in situ patients.

                      • May 31, 2019 at 12:08 am
                      Chappie
                      Participant
                        Your situation is exactly the same as mine!!! Almost word for word! Have you had reoccurrences as noticed your post is from 2012
                        • April 4, 2012 at 12:34 pm
                        mlbjab
                        Participant

                          My cancer was only in situ, but it was cut through – they only biopsied part of the mole because they did not think it was cancerous (now I know how stupid that is, at the time I did not).  The wide excision did have cancer remaining in it as well.  So a larger excistion was needed.  I suppose I'm just confused as to why it is such a big deal to cut through other cancers and not such a big deal to cut through a melanoma.  Does an in situ melanoma cell have the potential to metastasize?  We should do a poll of those who progressed in early stage disease and see if they had their primary tumors cut through.  I don't understand why there are not studies on this.

                          • April 4, 2012 at 12:34 pm
                          mlbjab
                          Participant

                            My cancer was only in situ, but it was cut through – they only biopsied part of the mole because they did not think it was cancerous (now I know how stupid that is, at the time I did not).  The wide excision did have cancer remaining in it as well.  So a larger excistion was needed.  I suppose I'm just confused as to why it is such a big deal to cut through other cancers and not such a big deal to cut through a melanoma.  Does an in situ melanoma cell have the potential to metastasize?  We should do a poll of those who progressed in early stage disease and see if they had their primary tumors cut through.  I don't understand why there are not studies on this.

                          • April 4, 2012 at 1:23 am
                          Janner
                          Participant

                            I can't find any references at the moment, but I believe current studies say no.  I don't think anyone could give you a 100% guarantee, but retrospectively studies show no difference in prognosis between a full or partial biopsy.

                            • April 4, 2012 at 2:47 pm
                            killmel
                            Participant

                              Hi

                              I was a stage 3 melanoma patient when I had surgery to remove a tumor. The surgeon tried to give me clear margin but there was a small tumor he could not see on the outer margin which he cut through.

                              Long story short, within 6 months, I was stage 4 with tumors in my lungs. Before this surgery, I only had localizedtumors in my leg. My onc told me that by cutting through the tumor, the melanoma high likely spread into my blood system, when the surgeon cut through the tumor.

                              I hope this info helps.

                              • April 4, 2012 at 2:47 pm
                              killmel
                              Participant

                                Hi

                                I was a stage 3 melanoma patient when I had surgery to remove a tumor. The surgeon tried to give me clear margin but there was a small tumor he could not see on the outer margin which he cut through.

                                Long story short, within 6 months, I was stage 4 with tumors in my lungs. Before this surgery, I only had localizedtumors in my leg. My onc told me that by cutting through the tumor, the melanoma high likely spread into my blood system, when the surgeon cut through the tumor.

                                I hope this info helps.

                                • April 4, 2012 at 2:47 pm
                                killmel
                                Participant

                                  Hi

                                  I was a stage 3 melanoma patient when I had surgery to remove a tumor. The surgeon tried to give me clear margin but there was a small tumor he could not see on the outer margin which he cut through.

                                  Long story short, within 6 months, I was stage 4 with tumors in my lungs. Before this surgery, I only had localizedtumors in my leg. My onc told me that by cutting through the tumor, the melanoma high likely spread into my blood system, when the surgeon cut through the tumor.

                                  I hope this info helps.

                                    • April 4, 2012 at 4:08 pm
                                    mlbjab
                                    Participant

                                      I guess I find the info to be confusing.  Is melanoma really that different from other cancers?  Why would it be standard of care not to cut into a tumor for other cancers but not melanoma?  It seems like it would only take one cell to escape.  I have a feeling someday they may change the research. 

                                      • April 4, 2012 at 4:08 pm
                                      mlbjab
                                      Participant

                                        I guess I find the info to be confusing.  Is melanoma really that different from other cancers?  Why would it be standard of care not to cut into a tumor for other cancers but not melanoma?  It seems like it would only take one cell to escape.  I have a feeling someday they may change the research. 

                                        • May 31, 2019 at 12:09 am
                                        Chappie
                                        Participant
                                          Couldn’t agree more!
                                          • April 4, 2012 at 4:08 pm
                                          mlbjab
                                          Participant

                                            I guess I find the info to be confusing.  Is melanoma really that different from other cancers?  Why would it be standard of care not to cut into a tumor for other cancers but not melanoma?  It seems like it would only take one cell to escape.  I have a feeling someday they may change the research. 

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