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Malignant Spitzoid Melanoma Diagnosis
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Malignant Spitzoid Melanoma Diagnosis

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Malignant Spitzoid Melanoma Diagnosis

  • Post
    • September 13, 2010 at 1:52 am
    Brandi
    Participant

      Hi all,

      Hi all,

      I was just dx'd with having melanoma last week. Two lesions one on my rib cage is in situ, the other on my inner calf is malignant spitzoid melanoma. The questions I have are the following: spitzoid melanomas are very rare? I have done a lot of research and to say the least data is conflicting with these types of melanomas. My patho report showed a lesion 1.6mm, Clark's IV, Growth phase vertical, mitotic rate=0, TIL's non-brisk, Regression absent, ulceration absent, perineural invasion absent, lymphovascular invasion absent, margins uninvolved but melanoma is present 3mm from the nearest margin, satellites absent. Does anyone have any idea of what the heck this all means. I know all of the technical jargon and I know how to interpret these different diagnostic factors but what I don't know is does this patho report sound good? It does sound pretty hopeful to me due to the absence of so many factors. I have done a lot research with regard to pathology of these lesions and I see nothing that mimics my report in the least. I was just curious what you all might think being that you have been dealing with this longer than I have. I have been making myself crazy trying to figure all of this out. I am a nurse so Type A would be an understatement LOL;). I have an appt this Friday with an oncologist who specializes in melanoma and I realize he can answer all of these questions but if I can talk to someone before hand I think it would ease my mind. thanks in advance for any comments you all have to offer. I wish you all the best with your dx's as well.

      Brandi

    Viewing 1 reply thread
    • Replies
        • September 13, 2010 at 2:23 am
        DonW
        Participant

          Brandi — I found some info that spitzoid melanoma would have the same prognosis as other melanoma variants. I assume that would mean that the treatment would be the same as well. Normally with a melanoma 1.6mm thick you would have a sentinel node biopsy to check a few lymph nodes for melanoma. This would be done along with your wide excision. Otherwise,as you said, the factors look good. Assuming this is the route you take, the results of the node biopsy will determine if you need any further treatment or if  you just need observation and checkups. Good luck and let us know what the oncologist has to say.

            • September 13, 2010 at 12:55 pm
            Brandi
            Participant

              Thank you so much for your reply! I have been making myself crazy with this. Thank you for the well wishes.

              • September 13, 2010 at 6:47 pm
              Janner
              Participant

                You somehow managed to post this on the Off Topic bulletin board.  If you reposted it on the main bulletin board, you might get other responses.  However, Don covered the response pretty well… and waiting for more information definitely sucks.

                Best wishes,

                Janner

                • September 13, 2010 at 7:45 pm
                Brandi
                Participant

                  Janner,

                  Thanks for letting me know I have no idea how I posted on the off topic board. Now, how do I change that? I'm new to the site and not exactly sure what I did wrong. Thanks for the well wishes. I am hoping the doc has hopeful news for me on Friday. I am really not wanting the SLN done I guess if I have to I have no choice but believe me I am not happy about the thought.

                  Thanks again,

                  Brandi

                  • September 15, 2010 at 12:50 pm
                  W.
                  Participant

                    Hi,

                    there is a menu on left side of the screen where you chose the board. It can be a bit confusing because of the indentation. 

                    COMMUNITY

                    Community central

                    Bulletin board       <- click here to go to the main board
                       Offtopic board
                       …

                     

                    You can read some basic info about the SLN here: http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-101/types-therapy-melanoma

                    It is not such a bad procedure and it's important for staging, so I would recommend it. But nevertheless I want to emphasize that you DO have a choice. What treatment you chose is always YOUR decision.

                    • September 15, 2010 at 12:50 pm
                    W.
                    Participant

                      Hi,

                      there is a menu on left side of the screen where you chose the board. It can be a bit confusing because of the indentation. 

                      COMMUNITY

                      Community central

                      Bulletin board       <- click here to go to the main board
                         Offtopic board
                         …

                       

                      You can read some basic info about the SLN here: http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-101/types-therapy-melanoma

                      It is not such a bad procedure and it's important for staging, so I would recommend it. But nevertheless I want to emphasize that you DO have a choice. What treatment you chose is always YOUR decision.

                      • September 13, 2010 at 7:45 pm
                      Brandi
                      Participant

                        Janner,

                        Thanks for letting me know I have no idea how I posted on the off topic board. Now, how do I change that? I'm new to the site and not exactly sure what I did wrong. Thanks for the well wishes. I am hoping the doc has hopeful news for me on Friday. I am really not wanting the SLN done I guess if I have to I have no choice but believe me I am not happy about the thought.

                        Thanks again,

                        Brandi

                        • September 13, 2010 at 6:47 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          You somehow managed to post this on the Off Topic bulletin board.  If you reposted it on the main bulletin board, you might get other responses.  However, Don covered the response pretty well… and waiting for more information definitely sucks.

                          Best wishes,

                          Janner

                          • September 13, 2010 at 12:55 pm
                          Brandi
                          Participant

                            Thank you so much for your reply! I have been making myself crazy with this. Thank you for the well wishes.

                          • September 13, 2010 at 2:23 am
                          DonW
                          Participant

                            Brandi — I found some info that spitzoid melanoma would have the same prognosis as other melanoma variants. I assume that would mean that the treatment would be the same as well. Normally with a melanoma 1.6mm thick you would have a sentinel node biopsy to check a few lymph nodes for melanoma. This would be done along with your wide excision. Otherwise,as you said, the factors look good. Assuming this is the route you take, the results of the node biopsy will determine if you need any further treatment or if  you just need observation and checkups. Good luck and let us know what the oncologist has to say.

                        Viewing 1 reply thread
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