I don't mind at all! Here are the details: Malignant Melanoma, superficial spreading type, Clark level II, Breslow's depth 0.45mm, Ulceration: absent, Mitotic rate per mm2: 0, Regression: Absent, Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes: Mild, Associated melanocytic nevus: absent
At the time, I knew pretty much nothing about melanoma with the exception that it was very serious. I diligently followed up with my dermatologist and had many spots removed but none were malignant.
Melanoma specialists have looked at my records and feel that everything was handled correctly. There is no real answer about why it recurred. One little cell that they didn't get? Mutations? Who knows. I really wish I could get an answer as this has puzzled me. I was a sun bather as a teenager but not at all after I was about 16. Never used tanning beds. My mother had melanoma and was very cautious about the sun. All agree that although such a lapse does happen, it's really quite rare. The oncologists (who are melanoma specialists) that I've seen have had other or have heard of other patients where there was a lapse of many years before it returned. I can tell you that when I was told that i had a mass in my brain and it was presenting as cancer, I was shocked. I just sat there and speechlessly stared at the doctor! I had fallen and thought I had a concussion. After a craniotomy, the tumor proved to be Melanoma.
I guess I should put more information in my profile. When I first posted my information, I wasn't feeling all that well and didn't put much effort into it. Haven't looked at it in a long time!
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