› Forums › General Melanoma Community › facing a possible recurrence
- This topic has 12 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 2 months ago by
Kim41.
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- September 23, 2012 at 5:14 am
I am not new to this site and I thank all who give such great advice on here. Diagnsosed stage 3a in November 2011. Now I have a small hard nodule I can feel in WLE scar on left thigh directly in the center of the scar. I am to have a biopsy done on Sept. 26th and the dermatologist is going to try and remove it in her office. I also had a biopsy of 2 lymph nodes in my right groin that are slightly enlarged and mildly hypervascular just 2 days ago with FNA. Hoping this is all nothing and I really think it would be soon for me to have a recurrence.
I am not new to this site and I thank all who give such great advice on here. Diagnsosed stage 3a in November 2011. Now I have a small hard nodule I can feel in WLE scar on left thigh directly in the center of the scar. I am to have a biopsy done on Sept. 26th and the dermatologist is going to try and remove it in her office. I also had a biopsy of 2 lymph nodes in my right groin that are slightly enlarged and mildly hypervascular just 2 days ago with FNA. Hoping this is all nothing and I really think it would be soon for me to have a recurrence. My original melanoma was 1.3 which was a shave biopsy so it could have been larger. It was nodular,spitzoid type with vertical growth. I know I am jumping the gun but what would my options for treatment be if it was a recurrence? I also just had a CT scan for some upper right and left abdomen pain and it shows 2 denisities that are about 1cm each and they think they are hemangiomas but the filling affect of the dye was not normal. Should I push to have something more done to make sure they are not melanoma? Hopefully this will all turn out to be nothing!! Kim
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- September 23, 2012 at 11:55 pm
I am not new to this site either. I am not a doctor, nor a clinician; but I am a Serial Cancer Patient specializing in Melanoma.
What follows is ONLY an opinion, and just like rectums, everyone has one.
A Dermatolgist, by training, is NOT skilled , nor board certified in Internal Medicine; yes a dermatologist is by training skilled at things ON the skin, but not inside the body..
What you describe is either some residual stuff as a result of your previous surgey , lke a staple, stitch or scar tissue , or a subcutaneous nodule.
Given your diagnosis of nodular melanoma, you would be wise to proceed with caution.
First reg flag: Your derm is going to TRY and remove this nodule in her office?
Bad idea; very bad idea; and here is why. One your derm is not an internest and two TRY is not good enough when someone is going to stick a knife in your body and Two it was a bad idea to have a shave biopsy in the first place. You can not change two, but you can change one.
Some derms, when they are out of their depth, just don't want to give it up and admit you need more advanced care; but they will give it a TRY.
Go to a surgeon and consult with an Oncologist and get them to agree on a way forward.
Really, in much of melanoma world, it is not pushing per se, but rather making informed decisions.
1) Get an ultrasound
2) Consult with an Oncologist
3) Consult with a surgeon.
4) Do NOT let anyone cut you without them having a plan forward that you embrace and understand fully what additional steps are looking forward.
5) :"in office Chair Surgery" for possible internal metastisis is a seriously bad idea, a VERY bad idea.
THINK before you push, know what you want and where you want to go and gather up the tools you need before agreeing to anything.
Just an opinion.
Best wishes forward to you.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- September 24, 2012 at 4:20 am
Thanks so much Charlie. These were my concerns and you spelled them out so well. I do see a melanoma specialist and I will be calling him tomorrow. I was afraid it was bad idea to just have the derm cut my scar open. I do really like the dermatologist and in her defense she is not the doc that did the shave biopsy. I really appreciate your response and trust your advice.
Take care
Kim
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- September 25, 2012 at 2:23 am
Sounds like you are thinking, which is good.
For some talking points; a good surgeon when re-excising , will first cut around and "lift" the previous surgical site , scar tissue and all so as to have fresh flesh.
What that means is they will cut out and isolate ALL previous work, which means wider margins.. Be prepared for that and have a discussion BEFORE surgery.;and be sure to ask how they intend to close and if JP drain or drains will be required.
Another talking point PRE surgery is tissue preservation for possible future testing..
Still, before inviting a knife fight, get the ultra sound. Many underestimate the value, but a good ultrasound can be very revealing.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- September 28, 2012 at 2:54 am
Thanks again Charlie for the advice. I will ask for an ultrasound and I already thought about asking to have the tissue tested. I have an appt October 9th with an surgical oncologist at the melanoma clinic in Hershey PA. My scar is actually starting to bother me and I have a stinging/jagging sensation where deep down I can feel a hard marble like lump. Still hoping maybe a stitch down deep or possible scar tissue is all it is. Time will tell. Thanks again. I'll keep ya posted on outcome. Kim
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- September 28, 2012 at 2:54 am
Thanks again Charlie for the advice. I will ask for an ultrasound and I already thought about asking to have the tissue tested. I have an appt October 9th with an surgical oncologist at the melanoma clinic in Hershey PA. My scar is actually starting to bother me and I have a stinging/jagging sensation where deep down I can feel a hard marble like lump. Still hoping maybe a stitch down deep or possible scar tissue is all it is. Time will tell. Thanks again. I'll keep ya posted on outcome. Kim
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- September 28, 2012 at 2:54 am
Thanks again Charlie for the advice. I will ask for an ultrasound and I already thought about asking to have the tissue tested. I have an appt October 9th with an surgical oncologist at the melanoma clinic in Hershey PA. My scar is actually starting to bother me and I have a stinging/jagging sensation where deep down I can feel a hard marble like lump. Still hoping maybe a stitch down deep or possible scar tissue is all it is. Time will tell. Thanks again. I'll keep ya posted on outcome. Kim
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- September 25, 2012 at 2:23 am
Sounds like you are thinking, which is good.
For some talking points; a good surgeon when re-excising , will first cut around and "lift" the previous surgical site , scar tissue and all so as to have fresh flesh.
What that means is they will cut out and isolate ALL previous work, which means wider margins.. Be prepared for that and have a discussion BEFORE surgery.;and be sure to ask how they intend to close and if JP drain or drains will be required.
Another talking point PRE surgery is tissue preservation for possible future testing..
Still, before inviting a knife fight, get the ultra sound. Many underestimate the value, but a good ultrasound can be very revealing.
Cheers,
Charlie S
-
- September 25, 2012 at 2:23 am
Sounds like you are thinking, which is good.
For some talking points; a good surgeon when re-excising , will first cut around and "lift" the previous surgical site , scar tissue and all so as to have fresh flesh.
What that means is they will cut out and isolate ALL previous work, which means wider margins.. Be prepared for that and have a discussion BEFORE surgery.;and be sure to ask how they intend to close and if JP drain or drains will be required.
Another talking point PRE surgery is tissue preservation for possible future testing..
Still, before inviting a knife fight, get the ultra sound. Many underestimate the value, but a good ultrasound can be very revealing.
Cheers,
Charlie S
-
- September 24, 2012 at 4:20 am
Thanks so much Charlie. These were my concerns and you spelled them out so well. I do see a melanoma specialist and I will be calling him tomorrow. I was afraid it was bad idea to just have the derm cut my scar open. I do really like the dermatologist and in her defense she is not the doc that did the shave biopsy. I really appreciate your response and trust your advice.
Take care
Kim
-
- September 24, 2012 at 4:20 am
Thanks so much Charlie. These were my concerns and you spelled them out so well. I do see a melanoma specialist and I will be calling him tomorrow. I was afraid it was bad idea to just have the derm cut my scar open. I do really like the dermatologist and in her defense she is not the doc that did the shave biopsy. I really appreciate your response and trust your advice.
Take care
Kim
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- September 23, 2012 at 11:55 pm
I am not new to this site either. I am not a doctor, nor a clinician; but I am a Serial Cancer Patient specializing in Melanoma.
What follows is ONLY an opinion, and just like rectums, everyone has one.
A Dermatolgist, by training, is NOT skilled , nor board certified in Internal Medicine; yes a dermatologist is by training skilled at things ON the skin, but not inside the body..
What you describe is either some residual stuff as a result of your previous surgey , lke a staple, stitch or scar tissue , or a subcutaneous nodule.
Given your diagnosis of nodular melanoma, you would be wise to proceed with caution.
First reg flag: Your derm is going to TRY and remove this nodule in her office?
Bad idea; very bad idea; and here is why. One your derm is not an internest and two TRY is not good enough when someone is going to stick a knife in your body and Two it was a bad idea to have a shave biopsy in the first place. You can not change two, but you can change one.
Some derms, when they are out of their depth, just don't want to give it up and admit you need more advanced care; but they will give it a TRY.
Go to a surgeon and consult with an Oncologist and get them to agree on a way forward.
Really, in much of melanoma world, it is not pushing per se, but rather making informed decisions.
1) Get an ultrasound
2) Consult with an Oncologist
3) Consult with a surgeon.
4) Do NOT let anyone cut you without them having a plan forward that you embrace and understand fully what additional steps are looking forward.
5) :"in office Chair Surgery" for possible internal metastisis is a seriously bad idea, a VERY bad idea.
THINK before you push, know what you want and where you want to go and gather up the tools you need before agreeing to anything.
Just an opinion.
Best wishes forward to you.
Cheers,
Charlie S
-
- September 23, 2012 at 11:55 pm
I am not new to this site either. I am not a doctor, nor a clinician; but I am a Serial Cancer Patient specializing in Melanoma.
What follows is ONLY an opinion, and just like rectums, everyone has one.
A Dermatolgist, by training, is NOT skilled , nor board certified in Internal Medicine; yes a dermatologist is by training skilled at things ON the skin, but not inside the body..
What you describe is either some residual stuff as a result of your previous surgey , lke a staple, stitch or scar tissue , or a subcutaneous nodule.
Given your diagnosis of nodular melanoma, you would be wise to proceed with caution.
First reg flag: Your derm is going to TRY and remove this nodule in her office?
Bad idea; very bad idea; and here is why. One your derm is not an internest and two TRY is not good enough when someone is going to stick a knife in your body and Two it was a bad idea to have a shave biopsy in the first place. You can not change two, but you can change one.
Some derms, when they are out of their depth, just don't want to give it up and admit you need more advanced care; but they will give it a TRY.
Go to a surgeon and consult with an Oncologist and get them to agree on a way forward.
Really, in much of melanoma world, it is not pushing per se, but rather making informed decisions.
1) Get an ultrasound
2) Consult with an Oncologist
3) Consult with a surgeon.
4) Do NOT let anyone cut you without them having a plan forward that you embrace and understand fully what additional steps are looking forward.
5) :"in office Chair Surgery" for possible internal metastisis is a seriously bad idea, a VERY bad idea.
THINK before you push, know what you want and where you want to go and gather up the tools you need before agreeing to anything.
Just an opinion.
Best wishes forward to you.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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