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macrometastasis versus micrometastasis
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macrometastasis versus micrometastasis

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › macrometastasis versus micrometastasis

  • Post
    • May 23, 2012 at 3:59 am
    noisy77
    Participant

      This may be a dumb question but what is the difference between macrometastasis and micrometastasis.  I have never heard my mom mention this just that she has acral melanoma with 5 nodes positive.

       

      This may be a dumb question but what is the difference between macrometastasis and micrometastasis.  I have never heard my mom mention this just that she has acral melanoma with 5 nodes positive.

       

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    • Replies
        • May 23, 2012 at 4:04 am
        Janner
        Participant

          Basically, micro means a microscope must be used to see the cells.  Macro means visible to the plain eye.  So if melanoma has taken over a node, it may be enlarged or black and obvious to the naked eye.  This is macrometastasis. 

            • May 24, 2012 at 1:17 am
            noisy77
            Participant

              Thank you!  When i tried to google it pulled up scientific research papers – your explanation makes perfect sense!

              • May 24, 2012 at 1:17 am
              noisy77
              Participant

                Thank you!  When i tried to google it pulled up scientific research papers – your explanation makes perfect sense!

                • May 24, 2012 at 1:17 am
                noisy77
                Participant

                  Thank you!  When i tried to google it pulled up scientific research papers – your explanation makes perfect sense!

                • May 23, 2012 at 4:04 am
                Janner
                Participant

                  Basically, micro means a microscope must be used to see the cells.  Macro means visible to the plain eye.  So if melanoma has taken over a node, it may be enlarged or black and obvious to the naked eye.  This is macrometastasis. 

                  • May 23, 2012 at 4:04 am
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    Basically, micro means a microscope must be used to see the cells.  Macro means visible to the plain eye.  So if melanoma has taken over a node, it may be enlarged or black and obvious to the naked eye.  This is macrometastasis. 

                    • May 25, 2012 at 3:50 am
                    ockelly
                    Participant

                      What i understand it to be is…. if the node can be palpated (felt) it is macro but if not its micro (cancerous cells seen only under a microscope)

                      • May 25, 2012 at 3:50 am
                      ockelly
                      Participant

                        What i understand it to be is…. if the node can be palpated (felt) it is macro but if not its micro (cancerous cells seen only under a microscope)

                        • May 25, 2012 at 3:50 am
                        ockelly
                        Participant

                          What i understand it to be is…. if the node can be palpated (felt) it is macro but if not its micro (cancerous cells seen only under a microscope)

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