Melanoma stage 1B now in node

If there is any melanoma found in the lymph nodes, you will be re-staged.  Lymph node involvement will put you at stage III.  Depending on what is found – number of nodes, etc. – that will further refine staging.  Hang in there – it isn't melanoma until the pathologist says it is.  And even then, there is still hope.  This is a bump in the road, nothing more.  Take this one step at a time and try not to imagine the worst.  And let us know the results when you get them.

Sorry you are having to go through all of this worry and anxiety. I know this is a scary time, but try to take some time to breath and relax. You haven't gotten the results back, so don't jump the gun too soon on thinking about stage 3.

If you do end up in stage 3, that's ok too. There are options. The top recommended option is still watch and wait, something you have already been doing at stage 1, but there would be more check ups and scans involved to make sure nothing is going on internally. Plenty of people have remained NED (no evidence of disease) at stage 3 for many years, even the rest of their long lives. It is not a death sentence, even stage 4 is completely different from just 5 years ago because of some amazing new drugs/treatments on the market.

The other option, and this is completely an option and a personal choice, is the new drug Yervoy that was just approved for stage 3 in October 2015. I have done it myself because I am stage 3b and I personally felt like if there was something I could do to at least try and prevent a recourrence then I was going to jump head first into it. There's lots of scary side effects and all of that, but I don't need to get into that right now. There are also clinical trials that could be looked into.

Getting a second opinion is very wise. You want to be sure you know all of your options, because YOU will decide what happens with your body, a doctor can only give recommendations and guidance. 

I just had the same needle biopsy procedure done on a lymph node yesterday. Waiting for my results. I know it's not fun and I hope you have ways of distracting and relaxing yourself.

As far as natural treatments… there is nothing natural that will cure cancer or magically make it go away. Hemp oil is something that may help people with certain side effects of treatment and what not, but it is not a cure or cancer preventor.. there's no scientific evidence of it. You can eat healthy, get a lot of natural vitamins in your body by eating the right foods, everyone, cancer or not, should probably be nice to their bodies and feed it good stuff. Just, please, don't read a bunch of nonsense online stuff about "this natural remedy cures or prevents cancer!" Those things really make me frusterated. 

All the best,

Sorry you are having to go through all of this worry and anxiety. I know this is a scary time, but try to take some time to breath and relax. You haven't gotten the results back, so don't jump the gun too soon on thinking about stage 3.

If you do end up in stage 3, that's ok too. There are options. The top recommended option is still watch and wait, something you have already been doing at stage 1, but there would be more check ups and scans involved to make sure nothing is going on internally. Plenty of people have remained NED (no evidence of disease) at stage 3 for many years, even the rest of their long lives. It is not a death sentence, even stage 4 is completely different from just 5 years ago because of some amazing new drugs/treatments on the market.

The other option, and this is completely an option and a personal choice, is the new drug Yervoy that was just approved for stage 3 in October 2015. I have done it myself because I am stage 3b and I personally felt like if there was something I could do to at least try and prevent a recourrence then I was going to jump head first into it. There's lots of scary side effects and all of that, but I don't need to get into that right now. There are also clinical trials that could be looked into.

Getting a second opinion is very wise. You want to be sure you know all of your options, because YOU will decide what happens with your body, a doctor can only give recommendations and guidance. 

I just had the same needle biopsy procedure done on a lymph node yesterday. Waiting for my results. I know it's not fun and I hope you have ways of distracting and relaxing yourself.

As far as natural treatments… there is nothing natural that will cure cancer or magically make it go away. Hemp oil is something that may help people with certain side effects of treatment and what not, but it is not a cure or cancer preventor.. there's no scientific evidence of it. You can eat healthy, get a lot of natural vitamins in your body by eating the right foods, everyone, cancer or not, should probably be nice to their bodies and feed it good stuff. Just, please, don't read a bunch of nonsense online stuff about "this natural remedy cures or prevents cancer!" Those things really make me frusterated. 

All the best,

Since my primary spot was a stage T2b the Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy was done on me and 4 lymph nodes were taken out, 3 had microscopic melanoma in them. Nothing could be seen on PET or CT scans. Since it has been a while since your primary was removed, it would be a bit of a different approach I am guessing as far as the removal or non removal of your lymph nodes, if anything comes back melanoma in your biopsy. I am not sure what the typical protocal on that is. A complete lymph node dissection was never even brought up to me, the doctors and surgeons in my area do not do that anymore, but many around the country still do. 

Since my primary spot was a stage T2b the Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy was done on me and 4 lymph nodes were taken out, 3 had microscopic melanoma in them. Nothing could be seen on PET or CT scans. Since it has been a while since your primary was removed, it would be a bit of a different approach I am guessing as far as the removal or non removal of your lymph nodes, if anything comes back melanoma in your biopsy. I am not sure what the typical protocal on that is. A complete lymph node dissection was never even brought up to me, the doctors and surgeons in my area do not do that anymore, but many around the country still do. 

Since my primary spot was a stage T2b the Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy was done on me and 4 lymph nodes were taken out, 3 had microscopic melanoma in them. Nothing could be seen on PET or CT scans. Since it has been a while since your primary was removed, it would be a bit of a different approach I am guessing as far as the removal or non removal of your lymph nodes, if anything comes back melanoma in your biopsy. I am not sure what the typical protocal on that is. A complete lymph node dissection was never even brought up to me, the doctors and surgeons in my area do not do that anymore, but many around the country still do. 

Yervoy (Ipilimumab) is an immunotherapy drug, yes it is readily available since it is now FDA approved for stage 3. There really isn't any other option, except a clinical trial for the other immunotherapy drugs that work great for stage 4 and they are now testing in the adjuvant setting for stage 3. Before, the only treatment option was Interferon.. but that has long proven that it does basically nothing.

Sorry for the news but now you can do what you feel is best and get it taken care of. Hope it goes well for you.

Yervoy (Ipilimumab) is an immunotherapy drug, yes it is readily available since it is now FDA approved for stage 3. There really isn't any other option, except a clinical trial for the other immunotherapy drugs that work great for stage 4 and they are now testing in the adjuvant setting for stage 3. Before, the only treatment option was Interferon.. but that has long proven that it does basically nothing.

Sorry for the news but now you can do what you feel is best and get it taken care of. Hope it goes well for you.

Yervoy (Ipilimumab) is an immunotherapy drug, yes it is readily available since it is now FDA approved for stage 3. There really isn't any other option, except a clinical trial for the other immunotherapy drugs that work great for stage 4 and they are now testing in the adjuvant setting for stage 3. Before, the only treatment option was Interferon.. but that has long proven that it does basically nothing.

Sorry for the news but now you can do what you feel is best and get it taken care of. Hope it goes well for you.

I'm doing alright. Are you asking about results of my most recent biopsy? I haven't gotten results back yet, should be Monday.. the waiting is not fun.

But, otherwise I feel good. Some lingering fatigue from Yervoy treatments but other than that I feel pretty normal. I have not had any major side effects from treatment, so thankfully I've been able to feel pretty darn good through all this… minus some anxiety of course.

When is your surgery and when will you start Yervoy?

I'm doing alright. Are you asking about results of my most recent biopsy? I haven't gotten results back yet, should be Monday.. the waiting is not fun.

But, otherwise I feel good. Some lingering fatigue from Yervoy treatments but other than that I feel pretty normal. I have not had any major side effects from treatment, so thankfully I've been able to feel pretty darn good through all this… minus some anxiety of course.

When is your surgery and when will you start Yervoy?

Yeah, your neck lymph nodes could show up since they are fighting off a cold. My latest scan showed some lymph nodes in my neck lit up because I had a cold a week or so beforehand, takes a while for those lymph nodes to go down. So, don't worry if your neck lymph nodes show up. 

Hope surgery and everything goes well for you

Yeah, your neck lymph nodes could show up since they are fighting off a cold. My latest scan showed some lymph nodes in my neck lit up because I had a cold a week or so beforehand, takes a while for those lymph nodes to go down. So, don't worry if your neck lymph nodes show up. 

Hope surgery and everything goes well for you

Yeah, your neck lymph nodes could show up since they are fighting off a cold. My latest scan showed some lymph nodes in my neck lit up because I had a cold a week or so beforehand, takes a while for those lymph nodes to go down. So, don't worry if your neck lymph nodes show up. 

Hope surgery and everything goes well for you

I'm doing alright. Are you asking about results of my most recent biopsy? I haven't gotten results back yet, should be Monday.. the waiting is not fun.

But, otherwise I feel good. Some lingering fatigue from Yervoy treatments but other than that I feel pretty normal. I have not had any major side effects from treatment, so thankfully I've been able to feel pretty darn good through all this… minus some anxiety of course.

When is your surgery and when will you start Yervoy?

Sorry you are having to go through all of this worry and anxiety. I know this is a scary time, but try to take some time to breath and relax. You haven't gotten the results back, so don't jump the gun too soon on thinking about stage 3.

If you do end up in stage 3, that's ok too. There are options. The top recommended option is still watch and wait, something you have already been doing at stage 1, but there would be more check ups and scans involved to make sure nothing is going on internally. Plenty of people have remained NED (no evidence of disease) at stage 3 for many years, even the rest of their long lives. It is not a death sentence, even stage 4 is completely different from just 5 years ago because of some amazing new drugs/treatments on the market.

The other option, and this is completely an option and a personal choice, is the new drug Yervoy that was just approved for stage 3 in October 2015. I have done it myself because I am stage 3b and I personally felt like if there was something I could do to at least try and prevent a recourrence then I was going to jump head first into it. There's lots of scary side effects and all of that, but I don't need to get into that right now. There are also clinical trials that could be looked into.

Getting a second opinion is very wise. You want to be sure you know all of your options, because YOU will decide what happens with your body, a doctor can only give recommendations and guidance. 

I just had the same needle biopsy procedure done on a lymph node yesterday. Waiting for my results. I know it's not fun and I hope you have ways of distracting and relaxing yourself.

As far as natural treatments… there is nothing natural that will cure cancer or magically make it go away. Hemp oil is something that may help people with certain side effects of treatment and what not, but it is not a cure or cancer preventor.. there's no scientific evidence of it. You can eat healthy, get a lot of natural vitamins in your body by eating the right foods, everyone, cancer or not, should probably be nice to their bodies and feed it good stuff. Just, please, don't read a bunch of nonsense online stuff about "this natural remedy cures or prevents cancer!" Those things really make me frusterated. 

All the best,

If there is any melanoma found in the lymph nodes, you will be re-staged.  Lymph node involvement will put you at stage III.  Depending on what is found – number of nodes, etc. – that will further refine staging.  Hang in there – it isn't melanoma until the pathologist says it is.  And even then, there is still hope.  This is a bump in the road, nothing more.  Take this one step at a time and try not to imagine the worst.  And let us know the results when you get them.

If there is any melanoma found in the lymph nodes, you will be re-staged.  Lymph node involvement will put you at stage III.  Depending on what is found – number of nodes, etc. – that will further refine staging.  Hang in there – it isn't melanoma until the pathologist says it is.  And even then, there is still hope.  This is a bump in the road, nothing more.  Take this one step at a time and try not to imagine the worst.  And let us know the results when you get them.

Hey Vickiaa,

Sorry about your recent dx. 

Just a couple recommendations:

Don't rush your decisons.  I know it's a scary time but taking an extra week or two or three isn't going to hurt anything.

Recommend getting at least one second opinion if not a couple.

You mention your doctor wants you to do something.  I recommend you get the mindset that the doctor is recommending a certain option.  In the end it's what you want to do and what you think is best for you. 

I'm not sure what "removing all the regional nodes" entails.  If that's another way of saying a CLND (complete lymph node disection) you may want to watch the below video.  Doing a CLND used to virtually be the automatic procedure for stage III.  Most doctors probably still recommend it but you should definitely think about it and decide if it's the right procedure for you.

http://www.oncologypractice.com/specialty-focus/melanoma-skin-cancers/single-article-page/video-lymphadenectomies-dont-boost-survival-in-melanoma-with-sln-micrometastases/547bb9845da8b36d339c9f66303ad940.html

Brian

Hey Vickiaa,

Sorry about your recent dx. 

Just a couple recommendations:

Don't rush your decisons.  I know it's a scary time but taking an extra week or two or three isn't going to hurt anything.

Recommend getting at least one second opinion if not a couple.

You mention your doctor wants you to do something.  I recommend you get the mindset that the doctor is recommending a certain option.  In the end it's what you want to do and what you think is best for you. 

I'm not sure what "removing all the regional nodes" entails.  If that's another way of saying a CLND (complete lymph node disection) you may want to watch the below video.  Doing a CLND used to virtually be the automatic procedure for stage III.  Most doctors probably still recommend it but you should definitely think about it and decide if it's the right procedure for you.

http://www.oncologypractice.com/specialty-focus/melanoma-skin-cancers/single-article-page/video-lymphadenectomies-dont-boost-survival-in-melanoma-with-sln-micrometastases/547bb9845da8b36d339c9f66303ad940.html

Brian

PET scans do not show microscopic disease.  A tumor has to be about 5mm large before it might show up on the PET scan.  So microscopic disease in a lymph node probably won't appear on a PET scan.

As for the CLND, it is the standard protocol – albeit somewhat controversial – for melanoma today.  If you search on this forum, you will find many discussions about this topic. 

Again, you have to see if you have melanoma in the node removed first before you go to the next step.  I do concur with another poster saying to get a second opinion before you jump on any course of surgery or treatment.  Now is the time to do that so you don't regret it later.

PET scans do not show microscopic disease.  A tumor has to be about 5mm large before it might show up on the PET scan.  So microscopic disease in a lymph node probably won't appear on a PET scan.

As for the CLND, it is the standard protocol – albeit somewhat controversial – for melanoma today.  If you search on this forum, you will find many discussions about this topic. 

Again, you have to see if you have melanoma in the node removed first before you go to the next step.  I do concur with another poster saying to get a second opinion before you jump on any course of surgery or treatment.  Now is the time to do that so you don't regret it later.

PET scans do not show microscopic disease.  A tumor has to be about 5mm large before it might show up on the PET scan.  So microscopic disease in a lymph node probably won't appear on a PET scan.

As for the CLND, it is the standard protocol – albeit somewhat controversial – for melanoma today.  If you search on this forum, you will find many discussions about this topic. 

Again, you have to see if you have melanoma in the node removed first before you go to the next step.  I do concur with another poster saying to get a second opinion before you jump on any course of surgery or treatment.  Now is the time to do that so you don't regret it later.

Hey Vickiaa,

Sorry about your recent dx. 

Just a couple recommendations:

Don't rush your decisons.  I know it's a scary time but taking an extra week or two or three isn't going to hurt anything.

Recommend getting at least one second opinion if not a couple.

You mention your doctor wants you to do something.  I recommend you get the mindset that the doctor is recommending a certain option.  In the end it's what you want to do and what you think is best for you. 

I'm not sure what "removing all the regional nodes" entails.  If that's another way of saying a CLND (complete lymph node disection) you may want to watch the below video.  Doing a CLND used to virtually be the automatic procedure for stage III.  Most doctors probably still recommend it but you should definitely think about it and decide if it's the right procedure for you.

http://www.oncologypractice.com/specialty-focus/melanoma-skin-cancers/single-article-page/video-lymphadenectomies-dont-boost-survival-in-melanoma-with-sln-micrometastases/547bb9845da8b36d339c9f66303ad940.html

Brian