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Nodular Mel
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Nodular Mel

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Nodular Mel

  • Post
    • November 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm
    Colleen66
    Participant

      Is there any difference between Nodular and Cutaneous Mel?  And would a Second Primary (other leg than original) be the same type (look the same) or be different?

      Thanks guys…Colleen

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 9, 2014 at 5:37 pm
        CHD
        Participant

          By cutaneous, do you mean like superficial spreading?  Nodular and superficial spreading can both be types of cutaneous melanoma (on a skin surface that is not mucosal).  Other than the difference in appearance, a melanoma specialist told me that distinguishing between the various types, other than the value in learning to recognize them, is falling out of favor, replaced by one large category of melanoma inclusive of all the subtypes.  But there are differences in how they grow, with nodular tending to grow vertically and superficial spreading often having a longer period of horizontal, and thus less dangerous, growth.  He did tell me that if you have one type, you can have another.  So even though my original melanoma was superficial spreading, it is possible a second primary might be nodular or some other type.

          Generally, the major distinction in melanoma is between cutaneous and mucosal, with mucosal being further subdivided by location (vulvovaginal, oral, ocular, anal).  Cutaneous again is any melanoma not on a mucosal surface.  Both types, mucosal and cutaneous, can appear as superficial spreading or nodular lesions.

            • November 9, 2014 at 6:17 pm
            Colleen66
            Participant

              Ok…makes sense.  

              Do you know if a met has to be inside the body or can it show up as another skin surface tumor (distant from the original primary)?

              Thanks, Colleen

              • November 9, 2014 at 9:58 pm
              Janner
              Participant

                If you have multiple primaries, most have the same type, I.e. Superficial spreading. All my 3 were SSM.  But not a hard and fast rule.  If you have a new skin lesion, it could be a new primary or a metastasis.  If it was close to your original lesion, it might be a metastasis, if it were a long way away, it would more likely be a new primary.  Pathology can typically tell the difference.  In the simplest terms, new primaries grow from the top of the skin downward, and mets grow from the lymph vessels upward.

                • November 9, 2014 at 10:07 pm
                Colleen66
                Participant

                  Thanks Janner.  I had assumed mets from inside out and primaries outside in but it seems some grey area was involved.  And you right.  The path report will tell.  I always like to have some knowlege on the situation before talking to my Onc.  so I  know the right questions to ask.

                  Thanks for your time guys.  Colleen

                  • November 9, 2014 at 10:07 pm
                  Colleen66
                  Participant

                    Thanks Janner.  I had assumed mets from inside out and primaries outside in but it seems some grey area was involved.  And you right.  The path report will tell.  I always like to have some knowlege on the situation before talking to my Onc.  so I  know the right questions to ask.

                    Thanks for your time guys.  Colleen

                    • November 9, 2014 at 10:07 pm
                    Colleen66
                    Participant

                      Thanks Janner.  I had assumed mets from inside out and primaries outside in but it seems some grey area was involved.  And you right.  The path report will tell.  I always like to have some knowlege on the situation before talking to my Onc.  so I  know the right questions to ask.

                      Thanks for your time guys.  Colleen

                      • November 9, 2014 at 9:58 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        If you have multiple primaries, most have the same type, I.e. Superficial spreading. All my 3 were SSM.  But not a hard and fast rule.  If you have a new skin lesion, it could be a new primary or a metastasis.  If it was close to your original lesion, it might be a metastasis, if it were a long way away, it would more likely be a new primary.  Pathology can typically tell the difference.  In the simplest terms, new primaries grow from the top of the skin downward, and mets grow from the lymph vessels upward.

                        • November 9, 2014 at 9:58 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          If you have multiple primaries, most have the same type, I.e. Superficial spreading. All my 3 were SSM.  But not a hard and fast rule.  If you have a new skin lesion, it could be a new primary or a metastasis.  If it was close to your original lesion, it might be a metastasis, if it were a long way away, it would more likely be a new primary.  Pathology can typically tell the difference.  In the simplest terms, new primaries grow from the top of the skin downward, and mets grow from the lymph vessels upward.

                          • November 9, 2014 at 6:17 pm
                          Colleen66
                          Participant

                            Ok…makes sense.  

                            Do you know if a met has to be inside the body or can it show up as another skin surface tumor (distant from the original primary)?

                            Thanks, Colleen

                            • November 9, 2014 at 6:17 pm
                            Colleen66
                            Participant

                              Ok…makes sense.  

                              Do you know if a met has to be inside the body or can it show up as another skin surface tumor (distant from the original primary)?

                              Thanks, Colleen

                            • November 9, 2014 at 5:37 pm
                            CHD
                            Participant

                              By cutaneous, do you mean like superficial spreading?  Nodular and superficial spreading can both be types of cutaneous melanoma (on a skin surface that is not mucosal).  Other than the difference in appearance, a melanoma specialist told me that distinguishing between the various types, other than the value in learning to recognize them, is falling out of favor, replaced by one large category of melanoma inclusive of all the subtypes.  But there are differences in how they grow, with nodular tending to grow vertically and superficial spreading often having a longer period of horizontal, and thus less dangerous, growth.  He did tell me that if you have one type, you can have another.  So even though my original melanoma was superficial spreading, it is possible a second primary might be nodular or some other type.

                              Generally, the major distinction in melanoma is between cutaneous and mucosal, with mucosal being further subdivided by location (vulvovaginal, oral, ocular, anal).  Cutaneous again is any melanoma not on a mucosal surface.  Both types, mucosal and cutaneous, can appear as superficial spreading or nodular lesions.

                              • November 9, 2014 at 5:37 pm
                              CHD
                              Participant

                                By cutaneous, do you mean like superficial spreading?  Nodular and superficial spreading can both be types of cutaneous melanoma (on a skin surface that is not mucosal).  Other than the difference in appearance, a melanoma specialist told me that distinguishing between the various types, other than the value in learning to recognize them, is falling out of favor, replaced by one large category of melanoma inclusive of all the subtypes.  But there are differences in how they grow, with nodular tending to grow vertically and superficial spreading often having a longer period of horizontal, and thus less dangerous, growth.  He did tell me that if you have one type, you can have another.  So even though my original melanoma was superficial spreading, it is possible a second primary might be nodular or some other type.

                                Generally, the major distinction in melanoma is between cutaneous and mucosal, with mucosal being further subdivided by location (vulvovaginal, oral, ocular, anal).  Cutaneous again is any melanoma not on a mucosal surface.  Both types, mucosal and cutaneous, can appear as superficial spreading or nodular lesions.

                            Viewing 2 reply threads

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