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How many people do you know whose invasive melanoma started as melanoma in situ- or stage 0?
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How many people do you know whose invasive melanoma started as melanoma in situ- or stage 0?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › How many people do you know whose invasive melanoma started as melanoma in situ- or stage 0?

  • Post
    • November 16, 2010 at 9:27 pm
    jnaakins
    Participant

      I am asking because I recently had a large melanoma in situ removed. I am more than usually concerned because I lost my brother in February to Melanoma. I know the statistics say that the "cure" for melanoma stage 0 is surgical removal, but Im wondering what the odds are of it coming back, with my family history?

      I am asking because I recently had a large melanoma in situ removed. I am more than usually concerned because I lost my brother in February to Melanoma. I know the statistics say that the "cure" for melanoma stage 0 is surgical removal, but Im wondering what the odds are of it coming back, with my family history?

    Viewing 1 reply thread
    • Replies
        • November 16, 2010 at 11:47 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Your family history has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not an in situ lesion will come back.  The MARGINS on the lesion have everything to do with it.  I'm sorry your brother died of melanoma, but that has no impact on your prognosis whatsoever.  There are some instances of people who have had in situ melanoma who progress.  However, it is not always certain that the in situ lesion is the source.  It is possible that their lesion wasn't read right in pathology or they had another primary that went unnoticed.  The odds are certainly less than 1%.  You caught your lesion early.  You know to be aware of your body.  Your prognosis is about as good as it can be given a cancer diagnosis.  Don't spend time worrying about that in situ lesion…. or you let melanoma win.  Just be vigilant, not paranoid.  Have a second opinion on your pathology report if that will give you peace of mind.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

            • November 17, 2010 at 1:12 am
            jnaakins
            Participant

              Thank you for responding. I guess Im just going to have to be vigilant about skin checks and hope that the dr got it all- he did feel confident that he did, and he said he cauterized the margins really well so that was (he felt) extra insurance.

              I guess Im just wondering if there are very many people who do have recurrences, or other tumors show up after having one that was caught this early? I mean, is this something that's common? It doesnt sound like it, so that brings me some comfort. I can't imagine having my family lose another member to this horrible disease. I try not to be paranoid, or spend unnessecary time worrying. But having seen my brother lose his battle- it's always in the back of my mind. He didnt catch his early though, by the time he went in to have his mole checked, it was already stage 3b.

              • November 17, 2010 at 2:04 am
              Janner
              Participant

                In the US, the 10 year survival rate for melanoma in situ is shown at 100%.  It's not a guarantee, but it's pretty close.  That's why I said <1%.  I won't say it couldn't happen, but it would be like winning the lottery.  Have you done that lately???  You can ask for a copy of the pathology report to see the margins for yourself.  Watch your scar area for any pigment regrowth.  If you have any, go to your doc.  It doesn't have to be melanoma (I have many freckles in my scars), but it pays to check that out for sure.  I have had 3 melanoma – my in situ was removed in 2000.  All I have to show for that one is a scar.

                Janner

                • November 17, 2010 at 1:40 pm
                ChristineL
                Participant

                  Janner-

                  The majority of links on the melanomaresources do not work.  Do you know when this site was last updated?

                  Thanks!

                  • November 17, 2010 at 1:40 pm
                  ChristineL
                  Participant

                    Janner-

                    The majority of links on the melanomaresources do not work.  Do you know when this site was last updated?

                    Thanks!

                    • November 17, 2010 at 2:39 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      The links were checked a couple of months ago.  I'll have to look at them again.

                      • November 17, 2010 at 3:01 pm
                      jag
                      Participant

                        Janner, 

                        I second what anony stated.  Links to MPIP don't work.  Looks like the powers that be didn't take into account your links when updating this site.  GRRRRRRRRR.   You should demand a refund!, or have the MPIP tech geeks do it for you.

                        • November 18, 2010 at 1:28 am
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Guess I may have to either find the links in the "new" archives, or come up with an alternative.  It's on my list of billions of things to do.

                          Janner

                          • November 18, 2010 at 1:53 am
                          W.
                          Participant
                            • November 18, 2010 at 2:10 am
                            Janner
                            Participant

                              Thanks for the key to the different domains – saves me time and energy of figuring it out myself.  That will also make the correction much easier than doing an individual search on the posts.

                              Janner

                              • November 18, 2010 at 2:10 am
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                Thanks for the key to the different domains – saves me time and energy of figuring it out myself.  That will also make the correction much easier than doing an individual search on the posts.

                                Janner

                                • November 18, 2010 at 1:53 am
                                W.
                                Participant
                                  • November 18, 2010 at 1:28 am
                                  Janner
                                  Participant

                                    Guess I may have to either find the links in the "new" archives, or come up with an alternative.  It's on my list of billions of things to do.

                                    Janner

                                    • November 17, 2010 at 3:01 pm
                                    jag
                                    Participant

                                      Janner, 

                                      I second what anony stated.  Links to MPIP don't work.  Looks like the powers that be didn't take into account your links when updating this site.  GRRRRRRRRR.   You should demand a refund!, or have the MPIP tech geeks do it for you.

                                      • November 17, 2010 at 2:39 pm
                                      Janner
                                      Participant

                                        The links were checked a couple of months ago.  I'll have to look at them again.

                                        • November 17, 2010 at 2:04 am
                                        Janner
                                        Participant

                                          In the US, the 10 year survival rate for melanoma in situ is shown at 100%.  It's not a guarantee, but it's pretty close.  That's why I said <1%.  I won't say it couldn't happen, but it would be like winning the lottery.  Have you done that lately???  You can ask for a copy of the pathology report to see the margins for yourself.  Watch your scar area for any pigment regrowth.  If you have any, go to your doc.  It doesn't have to be melanoma (I have many freckles in my scars), but it pays to check that out for sure.  I have had 3 melanoma – my in situ was removed in 2000.  All I have to show for that one is a scar.

                                          Janner

                                          • November 17, 2010 at 1:12 am
                                          jnaakins
                                          Participant

                                            Thank you for responding. I guess Im just going to have to be vigilant about skin checks and hope that the dr got it all- he did feel confident that he did, and he said he cauterized the margins really well so that was (he felt) extra insurance.

                                            I guess Im just wondering if there are very many people who do have recurrences, or other tumors show up after having one that was caught this early? I mean, is this something that's common? It doesnt sound like it, so that brings me some comfort. I can't imagine having my family lose another member to this horrible disease. I try not to be paranoid, or spend unnessecary time worrying. But having seen my brother lose his battle- it's always in the back of my mind. He didnt catch his early though, by the time he went in to have his mole checked, it was already stage 3b.

                                          • November 16, 2010 at 11:47 pm
                                          Janner
                                          Participant

                                            Your family history has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not an in situ lesion will come back.  The MARGINS on the lesion have everything to do with it.  I'm sorry your brother died of melanoma, but that has no impact on your prognosis whatsoever.  There are some instances of people who have had in situ melanoma who progress.  However, it is not always certain that the in situ lesion is the source.  It is possible that their lesion wasn't read right in pathology or they had another primary that went unnoticed.  The odds are certainly less than 1%.  You caught your lesion early.  You know to be aware of your body.  Your prognosis is about as good as it can be given a cancer diagnosis.  Don't spend time worrying about that in situ lesion…. or you let melanoma win.  Just be vigilant, not paranoid.  Have a second opinion on your pathology report if that will give you peace of mind.

                                            Best wishes,

                                            Janner

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