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› Forums › General Melanoma Community › hmm…

  • Post
    • March 20, 2013 at 3:44 pm
    kkhalsten
    Participant

      Well, 7 weeks (1/31) after my lumphodenectomy on left groin area-

      3/16 found a small marble size lump on excision- went to the oncologist yesterday- wasn't happy about the measurement, location, and feel of the lump. Now, scheduled for ct scan and from there biopsy. I won't stress until results come back-

      Well, 7 weeks (1/31) after my lumphodenectomy on left groin area-

      3/16 found a small marble size lump on excision- went to the oncologist yesterday- wasn't happy about the measurement, location, and feel of the lump. Now, scheduled for ct scan and from there biopsy. I won't stress until results come back-

      The cancer center I'm attending offers chemo, interferon, for stage III (preventive) ..since I'm high risk with my groin lymph node reoccurrence- they did offer me interferon or chemo, but oncologist commented that those treatments have been around for years and they don't really work…thought this was strange..

      Now, that I may be facing surgery again…I'm thinking of what the best treatment option would be….no chance to travel to MD Anderson or other places due to insurance/financial reasons. I'm going to have to work with the options/docs/info I have at the cancer center I'm at right now.

      Question- do people choose treatment after reoccurrence although pathology is NED? If this more of a preventive option in case mel. cells are traveling through body and unseen on scans? Or do people only choose treatment when results are showing 1 or more nodes are diseased?

      I understand these are novice questions- be easy on me.wink

       

       

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • March 20, 2013 at 11:02 pm
        Hstevens0072
        Participant
          I think we can all relate to the anxiety caused by waiting for results – try to be positive :). I was diagnosed at stage 2b, surgery, reconstruction and SNB which was clear so NED at the time. I did the high dose interferon for a month then eleven months of shots because, for me, it felt better to do something other than wait and see. So much has changed in the two short years since then – interferon is considered an old treatment and the successful results are few. If you decide to go that way I’ll share some helpful hints I learned along the way. Hopefully you won’t need them 🙂
          Holly
          • March 20, 2013 at 11:02 pm
          Hstevens0072
          Participant
            I think we can all relate to the anxiety caused by waiting for results – try to be positive :). I was diagnosed at stage 2b, surgery, reconstruction and SNB which was clear so NED at the time. I did the high dose interferon for a month then eleven months of shots because, for me, it felt better to do something other than wait and see. So much has changed in the two short years since then – interferon is considered an old treatment and the successful results are few. If you decide to go that way I’ll share some helpful hints I learned along the way. Hopefully you won’t need them 🙂
            Holly
            • March 20, 2013 at 11:02 pm
            Hstevens0072
            Participant
              I think we can all relate to the anxiety caused by waiting for results – try to be positive :). I was diagnosed at stage 2b, surgery, reconstruction and SNB which was clear so NED at the time. I did the high dose interferon for a month then eleven months of shots because, for me, it felt better to do something other than wait and see. So much has changed in the two short years since then – interferon is considered an old treatment and the successful results are few. If you decide to go that way I’ll share some helpful hints I learned along the way. Hopefully you won’t need them 🙂
              Holly
                • March 21, 2013 at 7:17 pm
                kkhalsten
                Participant

                  Thank you Holly, it's a weird feeling in stage III because I feel like I'm sitting on the fence waiting to fall one way or the other! and the fall could be deadly or not…I'm thankful I'm on the healing end of my surgery – even dealing with the lymphdema isn't as bad as worrying about the huge cancer tumor that was in my groin. I'm understanding more of what stage III entails and I am learning how to live each hour with joy and not concentrate on what next week brings. Thank you and blessings.

                  • March 21, 2013 at 7:17 pm
                  kkhalsten
                  Participant

                    Thank you Holly, it's a weird feeling in stage III because I feel like I'm sitting on the fence waiting to fall one way or the other! and the fall could be deadly or not…I'm thankful I'm on the healing end of my surgery – even dealing with the lymphdema isn't as bad as worrying about the huge cancer tumor that was in my groin. I'm understanding more of what stage III entails and I am learning how to live each hour with joy and not concentrate on what next week brings. Thank you and blessings.

                    • March 21, 2013 at 7:17 pm
                    kkhalsten
                    Participant

                      Thank you Holly, it's a weird feeling in stage III because I feel like I'm sitting on the fence waiting to fall one way or the other! and the fall could be deadly or not…I'm thankful I'm on the healing end of my surgery – even dealing with the lymphdema isn't as bad as worrying about the huge cancer tumor that was in my groin. I'm understanding more of what stage III entails and I am learning how to live each hour with joy and not concentrate on what next week brings. Thank you and blessings.

                    • March 20, 2013 at 11:54 pm
                    washoegal
                    Participant

                      There are many things the lump  could be so I am happy to hear that you are not yet in panic mode.    Your questions are not at all dumb.  Cancer cells can indeed travel trough the lymph system or though the blood and can not be seen in a scan.   Those of us who are Stage 3 currently have limited options unless you go the clinical route. 

                      Obviously surgical removal of diseased node and surrounding nodes is the first and most important step.  After that, currently you have interferon.  Many, like myself, have chosen not to go this route but to just monitor closely.  Interferon has very limited effectiveness and you can do a search here to find many discussions on the subject. 

                      Good Luck,

                      Mary

                      Stage3

                        • March 21, 2013 at 7:08 pm
                        kkhalsten
                        Participant

                          Thank you Mary, I have chosen not to do interferon….too many side effects with too little effectiveness results. So, watch and wait is the next best thing….I go back to the surgeon in April and we shall tackle the new growth…I really do think my body is taking a some time to heal from this last surgery- it took so much energy out of me. Thank you for the positive thoughts and comments about interferon….I agree- there isn't much to do in stage 3.

                          • March 21, 2013 at 7:08 pm
                          kkhalsten
                          Participant

                            Thank you Mary, I have chosen not to do interferon….too many side effects with too little effectiveness results. So, watch and wait is the next best thing….I go back to the surgeon in April and we shall tackle the new growth…I really do think my body is taking a some time to heal from this last surgery- it took so much energy out of me. Thank you for the positive thoughts and comments about interferon….I agree- there isn't much to do in stage 3.

                            • March 21, 2013 at 7:08 pm
                            kkhalsten
                            Participant

                              Thank you Mary, I have chosen not to do interferon….too many side effects with too little effectiveness results. So, watch and wait is the next best thing….I go back to the surgeon in April and we shall tackle the new growth…I really do think my body is taking a some time to heal from this last surgery- it took so much energy out of me. Thank you for the positive thoughts and comments about interferon….I agree- there isn't much to do in stage 3.

                            • March 20, 2013 at 11:54 pm
                            washoegal
                            Participant

                              There are many things the lump  could be so I am happy to hear that you are not yet in panic mode.    Your questions are not at all dumb.  Cancer cells can indeed travel trough the lymph system or though the blood and can not be seen in a scan.   Those of us who are Stage 3 currently have limited options unless you go the clinical route. 

                              Obviously surgical removal of diseased node and surrounding nodes is the first and most important step.  After that, currently you have interferon.  Many, like myself, have chosen not to go this route but to just monitor closely.  Interferon has very limited effectiveness and you can do a search here to find many discussions on the subject. 

                              Good Luck,

                              Mary

                              Stage3

                              • March 20, 2013 at 11:54 pm
                              washoegal
                              Participant

                                There are many things the lump  could be so I am happy to hear that you are not yet in panic mode.    Your questions are not at all dumb.  Cancer cells can indeed travel trough the lymph system or though the blood and can not be seen in a scan.   Those of us who are Stage 3 currently have limited options unless you go the clinical route. 

                                Obviously surgical removal of diseased node and surrounding nodes is the first and most important step.  After that, currently you have interferon.  Many, like myself, have chosen not to go this route but to just monitor closely.  Interferon has very limited effectiveness and you can do a search here to find many discussions on the subject. 

                                Good Luck,

                                Mary

                                Stage3

                                • March 21, 2013 at 8:25 pm
                                JerryfromFauq
                                Participant

                                  Even though Stage IV, and on systemic treatments, When I found a fast growing tumor very close to where the lymph nodes had been removed from, I had it removed even though the Radiologist said it was nothing.  I asked my Melanomaa Specialist Oncologist Surgeon to remove it.  The tumor was not connected to a lymph node nor to blood vessels.  This was two years after the lymph node operation.  The surgeon showed me the black 3/4 inch lump when he removed it.  It never came back.  Apperently it was where a few cells had escaped and hidden during the major lymph node operation.  It was obviously growing and putting pressure on nerves so I wanted it out.  I was correct.

                                  • March 21, 2013 at 8:25 pm
                                  JerryfromFauq
                                  Participant

                                    Even though Stage IV, and on systemic treatments, When I found a fast growing tumor very close to where the lymph nodes had been removed from, I had it removed even though the Radiologist said it was nothing.  I asked my Melanomaa Specialist Oncologist Surgeon to remove it.  The tumor was not connected to a lymph node nor to blood vessels.  This was two years after the lymph node operation.  The surgeon showed me the black 3/4 inch lump when he removed it.  It never came back.  Apperently it was where a few cells had escaped and hidden during the major lymph node operation.  It was obviously growing and putting pressure on nerves so I wanted it out.  I was correct.

                                      • March 22, 2013 at 5:04 pm
                                      kkhalsten
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks Jerry, I was thinking it could be loose cells that are looking to live somewhere- I'm going back in April and will find out more..thanks for your feedback.

                                        • March 22, 2013 at 5:04 pm
                                        kkhalsten
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks Jerry, I was thinking it could be loose cells that are looking to live somewhere- I'm going back in April and will find out more..thanks for your feedback.

                                          • March 22, 2013 at 5:04 pm
                                          kkhalsten
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks Jerry, I was thinking it could be loose cells that are looking to live somewhere- I'm going back in April and will find out more..thanks for your feedback.

                                          • March 21, 2013 at 8:25 pm
                                          JerryfromFauq
                                          Participant

                                            Even though Stage IV, and on systemic treatments, When I found a fast growing tumor very close to where the lymph nodes had been removed from, I had it removed even though the Radiologist said it was nothing.  I asked my Melanomaa Specialist Oncologist Surgeon to remove it.  The tumor was not connected to a lymph node nor to blood vessels.  This was two years after the lymph node operation.  The surgeon showed me the black 3/4 inch lump when he removed it.  It never came back.  Apperently it was where a few cells had escaped and hidden during the major lymph node operation.  It was obviously growing and putting pressure on nerves so I wanted it out.  I was correct.

                                            • March 22, 2013 at 3:39 am
                                            JerryfromFauq
                                            Participant

                                              Even though Stage IV, and on systemic treatments, When I found a fast growing tumor very close to where the lymph nodes had been removed from, I had it removed even though the Radiologist said it was nothing.  I asked my Melanomaa Specialist Oncologist Surgeon to remove it.  The tumor was not connected to a lymph node nor to blood vessels.  This was two years after the lymph node operation.  The surgeon showed me the black 3/4 inch lump when he removed it.  It never came back.  Apperently it was where a few cells had escaped and hidden during the major lymph node operation.  It was obviously growing and putting pressure on nerves so I wanted it out.  I was correct.

                                              • March 22, 2013 at 3:39 am
                                              JerryfromFauq
                                              Participant

                                                Even though Stage IV, and on systemic treatments, When I found a fast growing tumor very close to where the lymph nodes had been removed from, I had it removed even though the Radiologist said it was nothing.  I asked my Melanomaa Specialist Oncologist Surgeon to remove it.  The tumor was not connected to a lymph node nor to blood vessels.  This was two years after the lymph node operation.  The surgeon showed me the black 3/4 inch lump when he removed it.  It never came back.  Apperently it was where a few cells had escaped and hidden during the major lymph node operation.  It was obviously growing and putting pressure on nerves so I wanted it out.  I was correct.

                                                • March 22, 2013 at 3:39 am
                                                JerryfromFauq
                                                Participant

                                                  Even though Stage IV, and on systemic treatments, When I found a fast growing tumor very close to where the lymph nodes had been removed from, I had it removed even though the Radiologist said it was nothing.  I asked my Melanomaa Specialist Oncologist Surgeon to remove it.  The tumor was not connected to a lymph node nor to blood vessels.  This was two years after the lymph node operation.  The surgeon showed me the black 3/4 inch lump when he removed it.  It never came back.  Apperently it was where a few cells had escaped and hidden during the major lymph node operation.  It was obviously growing and putting pressure on nerves so I wanted it out.  I was correct.

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