First meeting with surgical oncologist
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First meeting with surgical oncologist

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › First meeting with surgical oncologist

  • Post
    • July 25, 2015 at 4:10 pm
    Christine.P
    Participant

    Can anyone shed some light on what will happen in my first meeting wtih the surgical oncologist? What will he do in that appointment? 

     

    Thanks!

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • July 25, 2015 at 6:22 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      That's a very broad question.  Depends what your initial diagnosis and biopsy shows.  In my case, after  biopsy which was indertimate, he explained that they would do a wide excision and sentinel node biopsy.  He also explained what his thoughts were on the likeliness of more advanced disease, etc.  I came with several questions of my own.

      After my SLNB came back with two positive nodes, my surgical,oncologist recommended interferon and a complete lymph,node dissection.  From what I read of interferon, I wasn't comfortable with that option.  I then went to another surgical oncologist to re-evaluate my pathology report. He agreed that there were enough suspicious elements in my path to treat this like melanoma and also told me I could opt for the CLND or just observation.  I opted for,the CLND.  In both cases the surgeons were very generous with their time and explained thoroughly my options and the benefits of each.

      hope that helps.  You might get better info though, if you provide,more,detail.

      • July 25, 2015 at 6:22 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      That's a very broad question.  Depends what your initial diagnosis and biopsy shows.  In my case, after  biopsy which was indertimate, he explained that they would do a wide excision and sentinel node biopsy.  He also explained what his thoughts were on the likeliness of more advanced disease, etc.  I came with several questions of my own.

      After my SLNB came back with two positive nodes, my surgical,oncologist recommended interferon and a complete lymph,node dissection.  From what I read of interferon, I wasn't comfortable with that option.  I then went to another surgical oncologist to re-evaluate my pathology report. He agreed that there were enough suspicious elements in my path to treat this like melanoma and also told me I could opt for the CLND or just observation.  I opted for,the CLND.  In both cases the surgeons were very generous with their time and explained thoroughly my options and the benefits of each.

      hope that helps.  You might get better info though, if you provide,more,detail.

        • July 25, 2015 at 9:14 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Thanks for this info. I guess I just meant will he do an exam – check lymph nodes "by hand" and look at the melanoma sites themselves, etc. Or is this just an explanation of the procedures? The doctor who took the punch biopsies (I have two primary sites) told me they want to do excisions and sentinel node biopsies. This is my first meeting with the surgeon since the initial biopsies and just wondered what happens. 
         

        I have an idea of what to expect for the day of the surgery and will ask questions about what I still want to know; just wondered about whether he would do an exam in the first visit – which is not the surgery date. 

        Thanks!

        • July 25, 2015 at 9:14 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Thanks for this info. I guess I just meant will he do an exam – check lymph nodes "by hand" and look at the melanoma sites themselves, etc. Or is this just an explanation of the procedures? The doctor who took the punch biopsies (I have two primary sites) told me they want to do excisions and sentinel node biopsies. This is my first meeting with the surgeon since the initial biopsies and just wondered what happens. 
         

        I have an idea of what to expect for the day of the surgery and will ask questions about what I still want to know; just wondered about whether he would do an exam in the first visit – which is not the surgery date. 

        Thanks!

        • July 26, 2015 at 12:21 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        He probably will do a exam. I have found that the doctors I’ve seen so far do a pretty generic exam. Listen to your chest feel around major lymph basins…groin, armpit, collerbone area check ankles for swelling and look at surgical sites. Maybe that’s considered thorough i guess. Seems they rely on ct pet and mri much more
        • July 26, 2015 at 12:21 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        He probably will do a exam. I have found that the doctors I’ve seen so far do a pretty generic exam. Listen to your chest feel around major lymph basins…groin, armpit, collerbone area check ankles for swelling and look at surgical sites. Maybe that’s considered thorough i guess. Seems they rely on ct pet and mri much more
        • July 26, 2015 at 12:21 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        He probably will do a exam. I have found that the doctors I’ve seen so far do a pretty generic exam. Listen to your chest feel around major lymph basins…groin, armpit, collerbone area check ankles for swelling and look at surgical sites. Maybe that’s considered thorough i guess. Seems they rely on ct pet and mri much more
        • July 26, 2015 at 12:45 am
        mrsaxde
        Participant

        What jamieth29 says is what my experience was. My original tumor was removed in my family doctor's office, because he was convinced it was nothing. When I saw the surgical oncologist, she examined my armpits, groin, and also felt my neck, as well as looking at the excision my family doctor did. She ordered a PET scan, and explained to me what would happen in the surgery.

        • July 26, 2015 at 8:21 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Many thanks to you all. This is very helpful. 

        • July 26, 2015 at 8:21 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Many thanks to you all. This is very helpful. 

        • July 26, 2015 at 8:21 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Many thanks to you all. This is very helpful. 

        • July 26, 2015 at 12:45 am
        mrsaxde
        Participant

        What jamieth29 says is what my experience was. My original tumor was removed in my family doctor's office, because he was convinced it was nothing. When I saw the surgical oncologist, she examined my armpits, groin, and also felt my neck, as well as looking at the excision my family doctor did. She ordered a PET scan, and explained to me what would happen in the surgery.

        • July 26, 2015 at 12:45 am
        mrsaxde
        Participant

        What jamieth29 says is what my experience was. My original tumor was removed in my family doctor's office, because he was convinced it was nothing. When I saw the surgical oncologist, she examined my armpits, groin, and also felt my neck, as well as looking at the excision my family doctor did. She ordered a PET scan, and explained to me what would happen in the surgery.

        • July 25, 2015 at 9:14 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

        Thanks for this info. I guess I just meant will he do an exam – check lymph nodes "by hand" and look at the melanoma sites themselves, etc. Or is this just an explanation of the procedures? The doctor who took the punch biopsies (I have two primary sites) told me they want to do excisions and sentinel node biopsies. This is my first meeting with the surgeon since the initial biopsies and just wondered what happens. 
         

        I have an idea of what to expect for the day of the surgery and will ask questions about what I still want to know; just wondered about whether he would do an exam in the first visit – which is not the surgery date. 

        Thanks!

      • July 25, 2015 at 6:22 pm
      SABKLYN
      Participant

      That's a very broad question.  Depends what your initial diagnosis and biopsy shows.  In my case, after  biopsy which was indertimate, he explained that they would do a wide excision and sentinel node biopsy.  He also explained what his thoughts were on the likeliness of more advanced disease, etc.  I came with several questions of my own.

      After my SLNB came back with two positive nodes, my surgical,oncologist recommended interferon and a complete lymph,node dissection.  From what I read of interferon, I wasn't comfortable with that option.  I then went to another surgical oncologist to re-evaluate my pathology report. He agreed that there were enough suspicious elements in my path to treat this like melanoma and also told me I could opt for the CLND or just observation.  I opted for,the CLND.  In both cases the surgeons were very generous with their time and explained thoroughly my options and the benefits of each.

      hope that helps.  You might get better info though, if you provide,more,detail.

Viewing 2 reply threads
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