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Melanoma cells in SLN
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Melanoma cells in SLN

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Melanoma cells in SLN

  • Post
    • April 5, 2016 at 3:39 pm
    Rosegargala
    Participant

      OSU says only a few cells were found in my SLN with the greatest measurement at .5mm . Is this good? I have done some research and found that when only a few are present it means that it might not go to my organs. I have to go to my oncologist every 3 months for blood test and chest x-ray as per OSU proto call .  I could really use some positive feedback , so please if you can contribute to answering my question would appreciate it so much !

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 6, 2016 at 2:17 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          Typically a full body PET and/or CT scan would be the standard scans since a chest xray isn't going to show much if mets are elsewhere. Blood tests don't show anything, there is no blood test for melanoma, so I am not sure why they'd order blood tests for you. Look into seeing a melanoma specialist in your area and ask for a full body scan, that's my best advice. You want to make sure that there's nothing showing up anywhere else in your body. If it was just in one lymph node, that's good. But without a full body scan you don't know for sure whether there are distant mets, that always has to be done to fully stage someone, if no distant mets than you stay in Stage 3, if distant mets then that makes it Stage 4. Big difference, especially in the treatment world. You do have the option as Stage 3 to do adjuvant treatment. There's a lot of info that a specialist in melanoma will know that regular oncologists and doctors will not be as informed about. Hope this helped.

          • April 6, 2016 at 2:17 am
          jennunicorn
          Participant

            Typically a full body PET and/or CT scan would be the standard scans since a chest xray isn't going to show much if mets are elsewhere. Blood tests don't show anything, there is no blood test for melanoma, so I am not sure why they'd order blood tests for you. Look into seeing a melanoma specialist in your area and ask for a full body scan, that's my best advice. You want to make sure that there's nothing showing up anywhere else in your body. If it was just in one lymph node, that's good. But without a full body scan you don't know for sure whether there are distant mets, that always has to be done to fully stage someone, if no distant mets than you stay in Stage 3, if distant mets then that makes it Stage 4. Big difference, especially in the treatment world. You do have the option as Stage 3 to do adjuvant treatment. There's a lot of info that a specialist in melanoma will know that regular oncologists and doctors will not be as informed about. Hope this helped.

              • April 7, 2016 at 12:37 pm
              Rosegargala
              Participant

                I have had 2 PET scans and both were clear ! My oncologist at OSU is working closely with my local oncologist ( my insurance changed so it doesn't cover trips to OSU but Dr Olencki assured me that he will be working with my local oncologist to watch me closely ) so I feel pretty sure that the test he ordered are significant since he is a specialist 🙂 I really appreciate your help 🙂 Thank you so very much 🙂 I hope all is well with you 🙂

                • April 7, 2016 at 12:37 pm
                Rosegargala
                Participant

                  I have had 2 PET scans and both were clear ! My oncologist at OSU is working closely with my local oncologist ( my insurance changed so it doesn't cover trips to OSU but Dr Olencki assured me that he will be working with my local oncologist to watch me closely ) so I feel pretty sure that the test he ordered are significant since he is a specialist 🙂 I really appreciate your help 🙂 Thank you so very much 🙂 I hope all is well with you 🙂

                  • April 7, 2016 at 12:37 pm
                  Rosegargala
                  Participant

                    I have had 2 PET scans and both were clear ! My oncologist at OSU is working closely with my local oncologist ( my insurance changed so it doesn't cover trips to OSU but Dr Olencki assured me that he will be working with my local oncologist to watch me closely ) so I feel pretty sure that the test he ordered are significant since he is a specialist 🙂 I really appreciate your help 🙂 Thank you so very much 🙂 I hope all is well with you 🙂

                  • April 6, 2016 at 2:17 am
                  jennunicorn
                  Participant

                    Typically a full body PET and/or CT scan would be the standard scans since a chest xray isn't going to show much if mets are elsewhere. Blood tests don't show anything, there is no blood test for melanoma, so I am not sure why they'd order blood tests for you. Look into seeing a melanoma specialist in your area and ask for a full body scan, that's my best advice. You want to make sure that there's nothing showing up anywhere else in your body. If it was just in one lymph node, that's good. But without a full body scan you don't know for sure whether there are distant mets, that always has to be done to fully stage someone, if no distant mets than you stay in Stage 3, if distant mets then that makes it Stage 4. Big difference, especially in the treatment world. You do have the option as Stage 3 to do adjuvant treatment. There's a lot of info that a specialist in melanoma will know that regular oncologists and doctors will not be as informed about. Hope this helped.

                    • April 6, 2016 at 2:33 am
                    Happy_girl
                    Participant

                      I go to OSU – Ohio state- and love them. I have full confidence.  My situation is a lot like yours.  I just hit my 2 year NED on April 1…. No joke!!!!! 

                      • April 6, 2016 at 2:33 am
                      Happy_girl
                      Participant

                        I go to OSU – Ohio state- and love them. I have full confidence.  My situation is a lot like yours.  I just hit my 2 year NED on April 1…. No joke!!!!! 

                          • April 7, 2016 at 12:38 pm
                          Rosegargala
                          Participant

                            I am so happy to hear that you are NED !!!! That is awesome news !!!! I love OSU and their Doctors !!!

                            • April 7, 2016 at 12:38 pm
                            Rosegargala
                            Participant

                              I am so happy to hear that you are NED !!!! That is awesome news !!!! I love OSU and their Doctors !!!

                              • April 7, 2016 at 12:38 pm
                              Rosegargala
                              Participant

                                I am so happy to hear that you are NED !!!! That is awesome news !!!! I love OSU and their Doctors !!!

                              • April 6, 2016 at 2:33 am
                              Happy_girl
                              Participant

                                I go to OSU – Ohio state- and love them. I have full confidence.  My situation is a lot like yours.  I just hit my 2 year NED on April 1…. No joke!!!!! 

                                • April 8, 2016 at 2:01 pm
                                Gene_S
                                Participant

                                  Hello Rose,

                                  I can't answer your question about the SLN as my husbands came back clear but he did have several more lesions and at 2 years 10 months did go to Stage IV so even with no trace in the lymph it can travel through the blood.

                                  Judy (loving wife of Gene – Stage IV and now NED for over 3 years)

                                  • April 8, 2016 at 2:01 pm
                                  Gene_S
                                  Participant

                                    Hello Rose,

                                    I can't answer your question about the SLN as my husbands came back clear but he did have several more lesions and at 2 years 10 months did go to Stage IV so even with no trace in the lymph it can travel through the blood.

                                    Judy (loving wife of Gene – Stage IV and now NED for over 3 years)

                                    • April 8, 2016 at 2:01 pm
                                    Gene_S
                                    Participant

                                      Hello Rose,

                                      I can't answer your question about the SLN as my husbands came back clear but he did have several more lesions and at 2 years 10 months did go to Stage IV so even with no trace in the lymph it can travel through the blood.

                                      Judy (loving wife of Gene – Stage IV and now NED for over 3 years)

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