Just diagnosed, looking for some information…
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Just diagnosed, looking for some information…

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Just diagnosed, looking for some information…

  • Post
    • September 27, 2011 at 12:56 am
    cdnewt
    Participant

    Hi all…. thanks for this great board.   I have learned a lot here in a short time.  I am, I think, IIIc (3mm melanoma removed from my back, followed by 2cm wide excision and sentinel node biopsy.  Of the 6 nodes removed, 1 had a macro (>1cm melanoma), and the other, a micro.  

     

    Anyways, I am looking for information on the best medical centers dealing with Melanoma.  Right now I've been pointed at Sloan-Kettering, but I was wondering about other opinions and centers I should be aware of as well.

     

    thanks.

    Hi all…. thanks for this great board.   I have learned a lot here in a short time.  I am, I think, IIIc (3mm melanoma removed from my back, followed by 2cm wide excision and sentinel node biopsy.  Of the 6 nodes removed, 1 had a macro (>1cm melanoma), and the other, a micro.  

     

    Anyways, I am looking for information on the best medical centers dealing with Melanoma.  Right now I've been pointed at Sloan-Kettering, but I was wondering about other opinions and centers I should be aware of as well.

     

    thanks.

Viewing 9 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 27, 2011 at 2:21 am
      FormerCaregiver
      Participant

      Welcome to our forum. Sorry to read that you have been diagnosed recently. I encourage you to fill in some details on the profile page, as this will help us to help you better.

      As you mention that you have had a 3mm melanoma removed, I think that you and your oncologist will have to be vigilant. I don't have any suggestions regarding treatment centres, but hopefully others will give you their opinions about this.

      Hope this helps.

      Frank from Australia

      • September 27, 2011 at 2:21 am
      FormerCaregiver
      Participant

      Welcome to our forum. Sorry to read that you have been diagnosed recently. I encourage you to fill in some details on the profile page, as this will help us to help you better.

      As you mention that you have had a 3mm melanoma removed, I think that you and your oncologist will have to be vigilant. I don't have any suggestions regarding treatment centres, but hopefully others will give you their opinions about this.

      Hope this helps.

      Frank from Australia

      • September 27, 2011 at 2:25 am
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-treatment-centers

      MDA (MD-Anderson) in Texas is probably the foremost cancer enter in the USA, but there are many great ones.  If you tell what area/state you live in people can give more detailed recommendations,  based on their personal experiences.

      NIH in Washington, DC is one to check out if you are interested in any of the trials they are conducting.  Of course, I love the Oncs at UVA and the treatment i have received there.  (Will be glad to discuss them further with you.)

      • September 27, 2011 at 2:25 am
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-treatment-centers

      MDA (MD-Anderson) in Texas is probably the foremost cancer enter in the USA, but there are many great ones.  If you tell what area/state you live in people can give more detailed recommendations,  based on their personal experiences.

      NIH in Washington, DC is one to check out if you are interested in any of the trials they are conducting.  Of course, I love the Oncs at UVA and the treatment i have received there.  (Will be glad to discuss them further with you.)

        • September 29, 2011 at 8:43 pm
        Phil29
        Participant

        What is UVA?

        • September 29, 2011 at 8:43 pm
        Phil29
        Participant

        What is UVA?

        • September 30, 2011 at 5:00 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Va.

        • September 30, 2011 at 5:00 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

        University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Va.

      • September 27, 2011 at 2:27 am
      Charlie S
      Participant

      There really is no one best place to be treated for melanoma for all people.

      Yes, there are certain guidelines that  are appropriate, but there is no one best place for everybody.

      Here iare the guidelines and the why to start with.

      In the beginning, from a pure science standpoint, two elements are important.  Diagnosis, and patient Staging

      The actual diagnosis of melanoma can (but not always) starts with a shave biopsy, a punch biopsy or an excisional biopsy and is followed by a pathological opinion. 

      The method of biopsy and the expertise of the pathology is key.  So, as a guideline, the availability of a second opinion from another surgeon and a dermapath are important.  How one GETS those seconds is what starts to make the "best" for any one person.  That is to say, do you get resistance for second opinions, are they readily available, what timeline is involved and how is the response.

      A second opinion, if it takes weeks isn't of much value when one is sitting on the razors edge after hearing "you have cancer".. 

      The fact that you "think" you are IIIC is a case in point

      I will have more to say about this tomorrow when I am no so tired; but suffice to say that the "best" is not always what is best for you/

       

      Cheers,

      Charlie S

       

       

       

      • September 27, 2011 at 2:27 am
      Charlie S
      Participant

      There really is no one best place to be treated for melanoma for all people.

      Yes, there are certain guidelines that  are appropriate, but there is no one best place for everybody.

      Here iare the guidelines and the why to start with.

      In the beginning, from a pure science standpoint, two elements are important.  Diagnosis, and patient Staging

      The actual diagnosis of melanoma can (but not always) starts with a shave biopsy, a punch biopsy or an excisional biopsy and is followed by a pathological opinion. 

      The method of biopsy and the expertise of the pathology is key.  So, as a guideline, the availability of a second opinion from another surgeon and a dermapath are important.  How one GETS those seconds is what starts to make the "best" for any one person.  That is to say, do you get resistance for second opinions, are they readily available, what timeline is involved and how is the response.

      A second opinion, if it takes weeks isn't of much value when one is sitting on the razors edge after hearing "you have cancer".. 

      The fact that you "think" you are IIIC is a case in point

      I will have more to say about this tomorrow when I am no so tired; but suffice to say that the "best" is not always what is best for you/

       

      Cheers,

      Charlie S

       

       

       

      • September 28, 2011 at 2:01 pm
      Hereiam
      Participant

      Hi,

      I`m sorry to hear that you have been recently diagnosed.

      I agree that there is no 'best' centre for melanoma patients. My cousin attended Latvian Virotherapy Center when first diagnosed with melanoma stage 2 and has  been NED for 4 years now! So I guess, this is the best centre for her.

      One more thing, please be careful, treat your body well and do regular check ups with your doc. And also, try to ask as many questions as possible, cuz sometimes doctors don`t explain the details simply because they are not asked.

      Hoping you will find your best treatment centre,

      C

      • September 28, 2011 at 2:01 pm
      Hereiam
      Participant

      Hi,

      I`m sorry to hear that you have been recently diagnosed.

      I agree that there is no 'best' centre for melanoma patients. My cousin attended Latvian Virotherapy Center when first diagnosed with melanoma stage 2 and has  been NED for 4 years now! So I guess, this is the best centre for her.

      One more thing, please be careful, treat your body well and do regular check ups with your doc. And also, try to ask as many questions as possible, cuz sometimes doctors don`t explain the details simply because they are not asked.

      Hoping you will find your best treatment centre,

      C

      • September 29, 2011 at 1:00 am
      Jim M.
      Participant

      If you live anywhere near Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa is another center you should consider. You are welcome to email Dr. Jeffrey Weber with any questions. His email is: jeffrey.weber@moffitt.org

      God Bless and much success,

       Jim M.

      • September 29, 2011 at 1:00 am
      Jim M.
      Participant

      If you live anywhere near Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa is another center you should consider. You are welcome to email Dr. Jeffrey Weber with any questions. His email is: jeffrey.weber@moffitt.org

      God Bless and much success,

       Jim M.

Viewing 9 reply threads
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