Feeling overwhelmed

Population-based 20-year survival among people diagnosed with thin melanomas in Queensland, Australia.

Available clinical and histologic data from the Queensland Cancer Registry were obtained for all patients diagnosed with a single thin invasive melanoma from 1982 to 2006 and matched against national death registration data. Melanoma-specific survival estimates to December 31, 2007, were assessed, and subgroup differences in prognosis were determined by fitting multivariate Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS: Among 26,736 people in the state of Queensland diagnosed with thin melanomas, the 20-year survival was 96%

Population-based 20-year survival among people diagnosed with thin melanomas in Queensland, Australia.

Available clinical and histologic data from the Queensland Cancer Registry were obtained for all patients diagnosed with a single thin invasive melanoma from 1982 to 2006 and matched against national death registration data. Melanoma-specific survival estimates to December 31, 2007, were assessed, and subgroup differences in prognosis were determined by fitting multivariate Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS: Among 26,736 people in the state of Queensland diagnosed with thin melanomas, the 20-year survival was 96%

Population-based 20-year survival among people diagnosed with thin melanomas in Queensland, Australia.

Available clinical and histologic data from the Queensland Cancer Registry were obtained for all patients diagnosed with a single thin invasive melanoma from 1982 to 2006 and matched against national death registration data. Melanoma-specific survival estimates to December 31, 2007, were assessed, and subgroup differences in prognosis were determined by fitting multivariate Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS: Among 26,736 people in the state of Queensland diagnosed with thin melanomas, the 20-year survival was 96%

My melanoma was nodular, but I am stage 3c. Researching things on the internet can be very informative and also completely terrifying. Remember that everyone is different and don't let the statistics scare you. According to my oncologist, the typical "cure" rate ("cure" meaning the melanoma never recurs) for stage 3c people is in the single digits, but given the specifics of my situation, he puts my "cure" chance at 40%.

Take precautions and follow the treatment plan you and your doctor work up. And, above all, try to remain positive! It sounds kinda goofy, but a positive outlook does help. Good luck!

My melanoma was nodular, but I am stage 3c. Researching things on the internet can be very informative and also completely terrifying. Remember that everyone is different and don't let the statistics scare you. According to my oncologist, the typical "cure" rate ("cure" meaning the melanoma never recurs) for stage 3c people is in the single digits, but given the specifics of my situation, he puts my "cure" chance at 40%.

Take precautions and follow the treatment plan you and your doctor work up. And, above all, try to remain positive! It sounds kinda goofy, but a positive outlook does help. Good luck!

My melanoma was nodular, but I am stage 3c. Researching things on the internet can be very informative and also completely terrifying. Remember that everyone is different and don't let the statistics scare you. According to my oncologist, the typical "cure" rate ("cure" meaning the melanoma never recurs) for stage 3c people is in the single digits, but given the specifics of my situation, he puts my "cure" chance at 40%.

Take precautions and follow the treatment plan you and your doctor work up. And, above all, try to remain positive! It sounds kinda goofy, but a positive outlook does help. Good luck!

Of course you are feeling overwhelmed! Melanoma is a "big deal," and for many of the people who post on this site regularly it takes center stage. But not everyone with a melanoma diagnosis posts here regularly, so please remember that you are getting a skewed picture. Most people diagnosed with melanoma do not progress to a later stage of the disease. Those with melanoma in situ (sometimes called Stage 0) and Stage 1 are the least likely to progress.

It would be easier for us to try to help you with your particular case if we had more details. Just knowing that you are Stage 1B and someone has called it nodular isn't enough information. If you can post some details from the pathology report we can help you understand more about why it was staged that way. Particularly important are the thickness and mitotic rate. Other useful information is whether you are consulting with a melanoma specialist (not just an oncologist, but someone who really knows melanoma) and whether the pathologist who prepared the report was a dermatopathologist.

Above all, I agree with Socks – staying positive is important. Remain vigilant about skin checks and using sunscreen, and go out and live your life to the fullest. Let melanoma slip into the background – it probably will remain part of you forever, but don't let it put a damper on your life.

Hazel

Of course you are feeling overwhelmed! Melanoma is a "big deal," and for many of the people who post on this site regularly it takes center stage. But not everyone with a melanoma diagnosis posts here regularly, so please remember that you are getting a skewed picture. Most people diagnosed with melanoma do not progress to a later stage of the disease. Those with melanoma in situ (sometimes called Stage 0) and Stage 1 are the least likely to progress.

It would be easier for us to try to help you with your particular case if we had more details. Just knowing that you are Stage 1B and someone has called it nodular isn't enough information. If you can post some details from the pathology report we can help you understand more about why it was staged that way. Particularly important are the thickness and mitotic rate. Other useful information is whether you are consulting with a melanoma specialist (not just an oncologist, but someone who really knows melanoma) and whether the pathologist who prepared the report was a dermatopathologist.

Above all, I agree with Socks – staying positive is important. Remain vigilant about skin checks and using sunscreen, and go out and live your life to the fullest. Let melanoma slip into the background – it probably will remain part of you forever, but don't let it put a damper on your life.

Hazel

Of course you are feeling overwhelmed! Melanoma is a "big deal," and for many of the people who post on this site regularly it takes center stage. But not everyone with a melanoma diagnosis posts here regularly, so please remember that you are getting a skewed picture. Most people diagnosed with melanoma do not progress to a later stage of the disease. Those with melanoma in situ (sometimes called Stage 0) and Stage 1 are the least likely to progress.

It would be easier for us to try to help you with your particular case if we had more details. Just knowing that you are Stage 1B and someone has called it nodular isn't enough information. If you can post some details from the pathology report we can help you understand more about why it was staged that way. Particularly important are the thickness and mitotic rate. Other useful information is whether you are consulting with a melanoma specialist (not just an oncologist, but someone who really knows melanoma) and whether the pathologist who prepared the report was a dermatopathologist.

Above all, I agree with Socks – staying positive is important. Remain vigilant about skin checks and using sunscreen, and go out and live your life to the fullest. Let melanoma slip into the background – it probably will remain part of you forever, but don't let it put a damper on your life.

Hazel

Make sure you see a dermatologist on a regular basis to check your skin. Finding the Melanoma early is the best news, just remember to be sun smart in the future. I guy I follow and really find to be super positive is Jay Allen in Australia. (http://www.sunbedban.com) he is a stage 3 survivor and has become a real role model in Australia.Best wishes!!!

Make sure you see a dermatologist on a regular basis to check your skin. Finding the Melanoma early is the best news, just remember to be sun smart in the future. I guy I follow and really find to be super positive is Jay Allen in Australia. (http://www.sunbedban.com) he is a stage 3 survivor and has become a real role model in Australia.Best wishes!!!

Make sure you see a dermatologist on a regular basis to check your skin. Finding the Melanoma early is the best news, just remember to be sun smart in the future. I guy I follow and really find to be super positive is Jay Allen in Australia. (http://www.sunbedban.com) he is a stage 3 survivor and has become a real role model in Australia.Best wishes!!!