New Diagnosis – Opinions Please
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New Diagnosis – Opinions Please

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › New Diagnosis – Opinions Please

  • Post
    • April 22, 2013 at 3:04 pm
    Crystal0702
    Participant

    Hello!  I was just diagnosed with Melanoma in situ based on a small sample that my PCP took. I have a Surgery Consult and Oncology appointment next week. My biopsy report inidcated that the Melanoma Cells covered the full tissue sample, which is why I need further surgery, can this diagnosis change? Is there a chance that the cells go deeper than the sample showed?

    Also, Ive seen mix responses – but is this actually cancerous?

    Thanks in advance for anyones opinion/advice/experience! 

    Hello!  I was just diagnosed with Melanoma in situ based on a small sample that my PCP took. I have a Surgery Consult and Oncology appointment next week. My biopsy report inidcated that the Melanoma Cells covered the full tissue sample, which is why I need further surgery, can this diagnosis change? Is there a chance that the cells go deeper than the sample showed?

    Also, Ive seen mix responses – but is this actually cancerous?

    Thanks in advance for anyones opinion/advice/experience! 

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • April 22, 2013 at 3:22 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Since your margins were involved, there is a chance it could go deeper.  Unlikely, but you can never say never until the entire lesion is removed.  Removing more tissue (regardless if your margins are involved) is standard protocol.  It is called a Wide Local Excision (WLE).  With melanoma or even most atypical (non-cancerous) moles, they remove extra tissue just in case there are any rogue cells that have migrated away from the primary tumor.

      Is this cancer?  Depends who you ask.  Most here would probably say yes but there are some in the medical community who think not.  Insurance probably does think it is cancer, though.  Even if it is cancer, it has an extremely high cure rate once surgically removed.

      Watch your moles for change and practice sun safety!

      Janner

      • April 22, 2013 at 3:22 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Since your margins were involved, there is a chance it could go deeper.  Unlikely, but you can never say never until the entire lesion is removed.  Removing more tissue (regardless if your margins are involved) is standard protocol.  It is called a Wide Local Excision (WLE).  With melanoma or even most atypical (non-cancerous) moles, they remove extra tissue just in case there are any rogue cells that have migrated away from the primary tumor.

      Is this cancer?  Depends who you ask.  Most here would probably say yes but there are some in the medical community who think not.  Insurance probably does think it is cancer, though.  Even if it is cancer, it has an extremely high cure rate once surgically removed.

      Watch your moles for change and practice sun safety!

      Janner

        • April 22, 2013 at 4:29 pm
        Crystal0702
        Participant

        Thank you, Janner! This is all new for me, obviously, and scary I dont want to minimalize or make a bigger deal than it is, but also know that the survival rate is great. I appreciate you taking the time out to ease/help my anxiety!

        Best Regards,

        Crystal

        • April 22, 2013 at 4:29 pm
        Crystal0702
        Participant

        Thank you, Janner! This is all new for me, obviously, and scary I dont want to minimalize or make a bigger deal than it is, but also know that the survival rate is great. I appreciate you taking the time out to ease/help my anxiety!

        Best Regards,

        Crystal

        • April 22, 2013 at 4:29 pm
        Crystal0702
        Participant

        Thank you, Janner! This is all new for me, obviously, and scary I dont want to minimalize or make a bigger deal than it is, but also know that the survival rate is great. I appreciate you taking the time out to ease/help my anxiety!

        Best Regards,

        Crystal

        • April 22, 2013 at 5:30 pm
        Crystal0702
        Participant

        Thank you, Janner! This is all new for me, obviously, and scary I dont want to minimalize or make a bigger deal than it is, but also know that the survival rate is great. I appreciate you taking the time out to ease/help my anxiety!

        Best Regards,

        Crystal

        • April 22, 2013 at 5:30 pm
        Crystal0702
        Participant

        Thank you, Janner! This is all new for me, obviously, and scary I dont want to minimalize or make a bigger deal than it is, but also know that the survival rate is great. I appreciate you taking the time out to ease/help my anxiety!

        Best Regards,

        Crystal

        • April 22, 2013 at 5:30 pm
        Crystal0702
        Participant

        Thank you, Janner! This is all new for me, obviously, and scary I dont want to minimalize or make a bigger deal than it is, but also know that the survival rate is great. I appreciate you taking the time out to ease/help my anxiety!

        Best Regards,

        Crystal

      • April 22, 2013 at 3:22 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Since your margins were involved, there is a chance it could go deeper.  Unlikely, but you can never say never until the entire lesion is removed.  Removing more tissue (regardless if your margins are involved) is standard protocol.  It is called a Wide Local Excision (WLE).  With melanoma or even most atypical (non-cancerous) moles, they remove extra tissue just in case there are any rogue cells that have migrated away from the primary tumor.

      Is this cancer?  Depends who you ask.  Most here would probably say yes but there are some in the medical community who think not.  Insurance probably does think it is cancer, though.  Even if it is cancer, it has an extremely high cure rate once surgically removed.

      Watch your moles for change and practice sun safety!

      Janner

Viewing 2 reply threads
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