› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Need Some Advice for Mom
- This topic has 15 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 3 months ago by
debwray.
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- February 9, 2017 at 6:15 am
My Mom initally had malignant melanoma removed by dermatologist (2.86 deep) in September 2016, then had wide resection without sentinel node biopsy. The path report showed no evidence of melanoma in the surrounding tissue. The oncologist suggested a certain type of radiation (IMRT) as treatment however the insurance would not approve it and we have been fighting them for 4 months. it was suggested by her primary physican to get another Oncologist to help fight with the insurance, the 2nd Dr. says radiation should have never been an option and we need to get scans, blood work, and possible lymph node re-section and immunotherapy treatment given the results. I feel like my mom has fallen thru the cracks and has been waiting 4 months with no treatment or testing. At this point we are really not sure which Dr. to believe and need some advice. Also we are in Las Vegas, NV so if anyone has any refrences for good dr.'s or support groups for her I would be forever grateful!
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- February 9, 2017 at 11:32 am
Hello Jenny.
Your mom needs to see a Melanoma specialist to determine her next step. At that depth, she should have had a SLNB before the WLE but that's a moot point now as she can't have it after the WLE.
This link will may help you find a Melanoma specialist in your area.
https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/living-with-melanoma/find-a-melanoma-specialist/
Please stress to your mom how important a Melanoma specialist is, they will know how each stage should be addressed and all the latest treatments.
Good luck,
Ann
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- February 9, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Thank you so much for the advice Ann. Do you have any information on why is the SLNB not possible after the WLE? Our 2nd opinion Dr. is telling us it is possible and that he will just go through her exsisting scar? We are so confused and its so hard to find good information.
Looks like we only have one melanoma specialist listed for our state and hes with the same group as her current Dr. I'll drive her to another state if i have too! Thank you for the link and any other information you can give us.
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- February 9, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Hi Jenny,
The scar tissue changes the previous lymph drainage patterns from the site as scars act like a dam as the cut damages the lymph collectors- so the blue dye may not accurately identify the first draining node before the WLE…but dye in the scar is probably the nearest he can get now the WLE has been done …I have no idea how much this would compromise the test – and guess this is likely to vary with the location of the original melanoma. Hope this kind of makes sense.SLNB are good at identifying small amounts of early disease and are helpful in determining staging and suitable future treatment options. More advanced disease in lymph nodes can be picked upon scans or sometimes via ultrasound and fine needle aspiration from within the node to get a sample for testing.
Best wishes
Deb
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- February 9, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Hi Jenny,
The scar tissue changes the previous lymph drainage patterns from the site as scars act like a dam as the cut damages the lymph collectors- so the blue dye may not accurately identify the first draining node before the WLE…but dye in the scar is probably the nearest he can get now the WLE has been done …I have no idea how much this would compromise the test – and guess this is likely to vary with the location of the original melanoma. Hope this kind of makes sense.SLNB are good at identifying small amounts of early disease and are helpful in determining staging and suitable future treatment options. More advanced disease in lymph nodes can be picked upon scans or sometimes via ultrasound and fine needle aspiration from within the node to get a sample for testing.
Best wishes
Deb
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- February 9, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Hi Jenny,
The scar tissue changes the previous lymph drainage patterns from the site as scars act like a dam as the cut damages the lymph collectors- so the blue dye may not accurately identify the first draining node before the WLE…but dye in the scar is probably the nearest he can get now the WLE has been done …I have no idea how much this would compromise the test – and guess this is likely to vary with the location of the original melanoma. Hope this kind of makes sense.SLNB are good at identifying small amounts of early disease and are helpful in determining staging and suitable future treatment options. More advanced disease in lymph nodes can be picked upon scans or sometimes via ultrasound and fine needle aspiration from within the node to get a sample for testing.
Best wishes
Deb
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- February 9, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Thank you so much for the advice Ann. Do you have any information on why is the SLNB not possible after the WLE? Our 2nd opinion Dr. is telling us it is possible and that he will just go through her exsisting scar? We are so confused and its so hard to find good information.
Looks like we only have one melanoma specialist listed for our state and hes with the same group as her current Dr. I'll drive her to another state if i have too! Thank you for the link and any other information you can give us.
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- February 9, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Thank you so much for the advice Ann. Do you have any information on why is the SLNB not possible after the WLE? Our 2nd opinion Dr. is telling us it is possible and that he will just go through her exsisting scar? We are so confused and its so hard to find good information.
Looks like we only have one melanoma specialist listed for our state and hes with the same group as her current Dr. I'll drive her to another state if i have too! Thank you for the link and any other information you can give us.
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- February 9, 2017 at 11:32 am
Hello Jenny.
Your mom needs to see a Melanoma specialist to determine her next step. At that depth, she should have had a SLNB before the WLE but that's a moot point now as she can't have it after the WLE.
This link will may help you find a Melanoma specialist in your area.
https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/living-with-melanoma/find-a-melanoma-specialist/
Please stress to your mom how important a Melanoma specialist is, they will know how each stage should be addressed and all the latest treatments.
Good luck,
Ann
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- February 9, 2017 at 11:32 am
Hello Jenny.
Your mom needs to see a Melanoma specialist to determine her next step. At that depth, she should have had a SLNB before the WLE but that's a moot point now as she can't have it after the WLE.
This link will may help you find a Melanoma specialist in your area.
https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/living-with-melanoma/find-a-melanoma-specialist/
Please stress to your mom how important a Melanoma specialist is, they will know how each stage should be addressed and all the latest treatments.
Good luck,
Ann
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- February 9, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Hi Jenny,
Made your specialist request a new post above- Janner and Niki have already replied, and have some info for you.Such a pity that the insurance co in refusing radiation didn't explain why. A melanoma specialist is highly recommended to work out what to do next and for appropriate folllow up.
Wishing youand your mum well
Deb
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- February 9, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Hi Jenny,
Made your specialist request a new post above- Janner and Niki have already replied, and have some info for you.Such a pity that the insurance co in refusing radiation didn't explain why. A melanoma specialist is highly recommended to work out what to do next and for appropriate folllow up.
Wishing youand your mum well
Deb
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- February 9, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Hi Jenny,
Made your specialist request a new post above- Janner and Niki have already replied, and have some info for you.Such a pity that the insurance co in refusing radiation didn't explain why. A melanoma specialist is highly recommended to work out what to do next and for appropriate folllow up.
Wishing youand your mum well
Deb
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