MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Just Diagnosed and Not Sure What To Do
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Just Diagnosed and Not Sure What To Do

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Just Diagnosed and Not Sure What To Do

  • Post
    • August 9, 2013 at 4:11 am
    saraheh
    Participant

      I was just diagnosed this week with possible Stage 1a melanoma.  It might be in situ, but they could not rule out invasion due to nests and a bunch of inflammatory cells.  Whatever that means, I have no idea.  I have a surgery scheduled next week to remove surrounding tissue from the site and then they say that I will have skin checks at 3 months.  I cannot help but think that there is something else that I should be doing or looking into.  They mentioned an eye exam, which I will do.

      I was just diagnosed this week with possible Stage 1a melanoma.  It might be in situ, but they could not rule out invasion due to nests and a bunch of inflammatory cells.  Whatever that means, I have no idea.  I have a surgery scheduled next week to remove surrounding tissue from the site and then they say that I will have skin checks at 3 months.  I cannot help but think that there is something else that I should be doing or looking into.  They mentioned an eye exam, which I will do.  I also plan to see my naturopathic doctor to help make sure my immune system is in top shape and any deficiencies in nutrients can be corrected.  I just do not want this to come back.  I am thankful it is still early, but I also have a 6, 4, and a 2 year old that I want to stay healthy for.  

      Anything else that I should be doing or requesting at this point?  I do not want to always be worrying that this cancer is heading somewhere in my body to rear its ugly head in a few years.  The doctors seem to think that getting this cut out will solve it and I will not have future problems.  Should I get a second opinion on the lab results?

      Please help!

    Viewing 9 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 9, 2013 at 5:06 am
        jeffjohn78
        Participant

          Hi!

           

          In Situ carries a 95% cure rate so lets hope that is the case.  Either way the advice is the same:

           

          1. find a melanoma specialist, not just an oncologist, all cancers aren't the same.

          2. Be vilagent in protecting your skin from sun damage going forward and do'nt skip any of your 3 month checkups.

           

          I wish you the best!

           

          Jeff

          • August 9, 2013 at 5:06 am
          jeffjohn78
          Participant

            Hi!

             

            In Situ carries a 95% cure rate so lets hope that is the case.  Either way the advice is the same:

             

            1. find a melanoma specialist, not just an oncologist, all cancers aren't the same.

            2. Be vilagent in protecting your skin from sun damage going forward and do'nt skip any of your 3 month checkups.

             

            I wish you the best!

             

            Jeff

            • August 9, 2013 at 5:06 am
            jeffjohn78
            Participant

              Hi!

               

              In Situ carries a 95% cure rate so lets hope that is the case.  Either way the advice is the same:

               

              1. find a melanoma specialist, not just an oncologist, all cancers aren't the same.

              2. Be vilagent in protecting your skin from sun damage going forward and do'nt skip any of your 3 month checkups.

               

              I wish you the best!

               

              Jeff

              • August 9, 2013 at 7:55 am
              becky15
              Participant
                In situ, correctly diagnosed, has a 100% cure rate. Also, you do not need an oncologist with either in situ or stage 1a melanoma.
                • August 9, 2013 at 11:49 am
                POW
                Participant

                  A Wide Local Excision (WLE) is all you  need and you are already scheduled for that. You do not need a sentinal node biopsy or an oncologist. If you want to be super cautious, you could ask that a dermatopahtologist read your slides and give you a second opinion on the path report.

                  Be thankful that you found this early. Don't obsess about it– just consider it a wake-up call. Protect your skin from the sun, be vigilant to check for new or changing moles, and enjoy your life.

                  • August 9, 2013 at 12:10 pm
                  JC
                  Participant

                    POW, you're awesome, I really mean that, thank you for your continued wise words

                    • August 9, 2013 at 1:01 pm
                    Gene_S
                    Participant

                      Hello,

                      You found it early and that is good.  The only thing I wanted to say above what POW said is check all moles vigilantly for changes in color or shape because melanoma can show up where the sun does not shine.

                      The greatest number of people on this site are stage III or stage IV and some of the things you read here might scare you when you read them but they are very informative and up on the latest drugs, tests or whatever and can help you a lot with answers should you need this type of information.

                      • August 9, 2013 at 1:01 pm
                      Gene_S
                      Participant

                        Hello,

                        You found it early and that is good.  The only thing I wanted to say above what POW said is check all moles vigilantly for changes in color or shape because melanoma can show up where the sun does not shine.

                        The greatest number of people on this site are stage III or stage IV and some of the things you read here might scare you when you read them but they are very informative and up on the latest drugs, tests or whatever and can help you a lot with answers should you need this type of information.

                        • August 9, 2013 at 1:01 pm
                        Gene_S
                        Participant

                          Hello,

                          You found it early and that is good.  The only thing I wanted to say above what POW said is check all moles vigilantly for changes in color or shape because melanoma can show up where the sun does not shine.

                          The greatest number of people on this site are stage III or stage IV and some of the things you read here might scare you when you read them but they are very informative and up on the latest drugs, tests or whatever and can help you a lot with answers should you need this type of information.

                          • August 9, 2013 at 6:05 pm
                          killmel
                          Participant

                            Hey Jeff,

                            I was thrilled to see your post. How are you doing? 

                            Are you still on the clinical trial IPI + another drug at Angeles Clinic. I know that everyone would like to know if the trial drug combo is working

                            Please post us an update.

                            Michael

                            • August 9, 2013 at 7:55 am
                            becky15
                            Participant
                              In situ, correctly diagnosed, has a 100% cure rate. Also, you do not need an oncologist with either in situ or stage 1a melanoma.
                              • August 9, 2013 at 7:55 am
                              becky15
                              Participant
                                In situ, correctly diagnosed, has a 100% cure rate. Also, you do not need an oncologist with either in situ or stage 1a melanoma.
                                • August 9, 2013 at 6:05 pm
                                killmel
                                Participant

                                  Hey Jeff,

                                  I was thrilled to see your post. How are you doing? 

                                  Are you still on the clinical trial IPI + another drug at Angeles Clinic. I know that everyone would like to know if the trial drug combo is working

                                  Please post us an update.

                                  Michael

                                  • August 9, 2013 at 6:05 pm
                                  killmel
                                  Participant

                                    Hey Jeff,

                                    I was thrilled to see your post. How are you doing? 

                                    Are you still on the clinical trial IPI + another drug at Angeles Clinic. I know that everyone would like to know if the trial drug combo is working

                                    Please post us an update.

                                    Michael

                                    • August 9, 2013 at 11:49 am
                                    POW
                                    Participant

                                      A Wide Local Excision (WLE) is all you  need and you are already scheduled for that. You do not need a sentinal node biopsy or an oncologist. If you want to be super cautious, you could ask that a dermatopahtologist read your slides and give you a second opinion on the path report.

                                      Be thankful that you found this early. Don't obsess about it– just consider it a wake-up call. Protect your skin from the sun, be vigilant to check for new or changing moles, and enjoy your life.

                                      • August 9, 2013 at 11:49 am
                                      POW
                                      Participant

                                        A Wide Local Excision (WLE) is all you  need and you are already scheduled for that. You do not need a sentinal node biopsy or an oncologist. If you want to be super cautious, you could ask that a dermatopahtologist read your slides and give you a second opinion on the path report.

                                        Be thankful that you found this early. Don't obsess about it– just consider it a wake-up call. Protect your skin from the sun, be vigilant to check for new or changing moles, and enjoy your life.

                                        • August 9, 2013 at 12:10 pm
                                        JC
                                        Participant

                                          POW, you're awesome, I really mean that, thank you for your continued wise words

                                          • August 9, 2013 at 12:10 pm
                                          JC
                                          Participant

                                            POW, you're awesome, I really mean that, thank you for your continued wise words

                                        Viewing 9 reply threads

                                        Tagged: 

                                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                        About the MRF Patient Forum

                                        The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                        The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.