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Oncoblot test came back positive for melanoma–8 months pregnant

Forums General Melanoma Community Oncoblot test came back positive for melanoma–8 months pregnant

  • Post
    apenn11
    Participant

      Hi,  I have been scanning these boards and have been inspired and immpressed by the knowledge that exists here.   I know I probably have a very unique situation that probably no one can offer much help with but I wanted to ask in case.  Here is my background.  I had a legion on my arm removed in 2008 that came back "atypical spitz nevus" with heavy lichenoid inflammation.  I had it further exised and have never gave it much thought since.  In 2015, I had a suspicous mole on my toe removed that they pathologist kept sending off for 2 and 3rd reviews.  However, when the final consensus came back it was determined it was fine.  That place on my toe grew back (was a shave biopsy) and the dermatologist did not seem concerend.  However at my last 6 month checkup, he looked at it and said he would have it excised completely since it continued to grow back and given the fact that I was pregnant.  So, I went to the surgeon to have this done.  However the surgeon recommended against the removal due to risk to the baby.  So, I decided to wait till after delivery.  Over a year ago, I had read of the Oncoblot Test (an early detection cancer blood test) and decided to take it.  Well, to my suprise the results came back last week Positive for melanoma.  The blood test is suppose to be able to detect a tumour that is 2mm or larger.  Which is why they call it early detection, however from what I am reading on melanoma 2mm does not seem that early.  So, now I have this information that I have melanoma but am not even sure where.  Plus the fact that I am 8 months pregnant.  I thought about trying to get into MD Anderson as I feel my case is unique.  I am not sure what to do.  I did call the surgeon about my toe and they indicate I can not be seen untill November 21! 

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          This is very interesting as I have been told that there is no blood test that can accurately tell if someone has melanoma… seems like we'd all be getting such a test done if that were the case. Obviously you can't get a full body scan to check if there's anything going on internally. I'd jump on them, or see a different surgeon, about a sooner appointment for full removal and testing of the recurring toe mole. 

          jennunicorn
          Participant

            This is very interesting as I have been told that there is no blood test that can accurately tell if someone has melanoma… seems like we'd all be getting such a test done if that were the case. Obviously you can't get a full body scan to check if there's anything going on internally. I'd jump on them, or see a different surgeon, about a sooner appointment for full removal and testing of the recurring toe mole. 

            jennunicorn
            Participant

              This is very interesting as I have been told that there is no blood test that can accurately tell if someone has melanoma… seems like we'd all be getting such a test done if that were the case. Obviously you can't get a full body scan to check if there's anything going on internally. I'd jump on them, or see a different surgeon, about a sooner appointment for full removal and testing of the recurring toe mole. 

              MoiraM
              Participant

                I knew nothing about the Oncoblot test until you mentioned it. Interestingly, I can nothing other than promotional artticles about it on the internet. I was hoping for a peer reviewed article or at least a balanced discussion. I know that the company says that the frequencies of false positives is low but I would be much happier if it had been tested independently.

                Did the testing company know you were anxious about melanoma? Did yoou have to specify the type of cancer you were interested in?

                I do struggle to understand why decided to have the test. You had a plan. (a) have baby and  then (b) excise mole on tose and send it for testing.

                Even if you started to investigate now, for example having another biopsy of the mole on your toe, there would be nothing you could do about it until your baby is born. The surgeon does not want to do more complete excision, presumably because of the anaesthetic. You won't be able to have a scan.

                So I think the plan is the same as before. Once the baby is born you can have the mole excised and sent for testing.

                 

                 

                 

                  apenn11
                  Participant

                    Thank you for the reply. No I did not specify I was worried about melanoma. I just indicated I was going to use the test as like a screening for early detection. I had planned on it coming back negative and thought I could re-test every 5 years or something so that if ever came back positive I would at least be catching cancer on the earlier side.  I  got the test because I had read about it from a doctor I follow.  Just thought it would be a good thing given the fact melanoma runs in my family.   I think the reason most people n doctors don't do it is because it can catch cancer so early, before you have symptoms or even before a MRI or something could detect the tumour, that when you have a positive result then you really don't know where to go from there.  Hence the situation I am kind of in besides I have the past atypical spitz Nevus/ spitzoid melanoma that I am not afraid has been there every since 2008 and could possibly be spreading. 

                    apenn11
                    Participant

                      Thank you for the reply. No I did not specify I was worried about melanoma. I just indicated I was going to use the test as like a screening for early detection. I had planned on it coming back negative and thought I could re-test every 5 years or something so that if ever came back positive I would at least be catching cancer on the earlier side.  I  got the test because I had read about it from a doctor I follow.  Just thought it would be a good thing given the fact melanoma runs in my family.   I think the reason most people n doctors don't do it is because it can catch cancer so early, before you have symptoms or even before a MRI or something could detect the tumour, that when you have a positive result then you really don't know where to go from there.  Hence the situation I am kind of in besides I have the past atypical spitz Nevus/ spitzoid melanoma that I am not afraid has been there every since 2008 and could possibly be spreading. 

                      apenn11
                      Participant

                        Thank you for the reply. No I did not specify I was worried about melanoma. I just indicated I was going to use the test as like a screening for early detection. I had planned on it coming back negative and thought I could re-test every 5 years or something so that if ever came back positive I would at least be catching cancer on the earlier side.  I  got the test because I had read about it from a doctor I follow.  Just thought it would be a good thing given the fact melanoma runs in my family.   I think the reason most people n doctors don't do it is because it can catch cancer so early, before you have symptoms or even before a MRI or something could detect the tumour, that when you have a positive result then you really don't know where to go from there.  Hence the situation I am kind of in besides I have the past atypical spitz Nevus/ spitzoid melanoma that I am not afraid has been there every since 2008 and could possibly be spreading. 

                      MoiraM
                      Participant

                        I knew nothing about the Oncoblot test until you mentioned it. Interestingly, I can nothing other than promotional artticles about it on the internet. I was hoping for a peer reviewed article or at least a balanced discussion. I know that the company says that the frequencies of false positives is low but I would be much happier if it had been tested independently.

                        Did the testing company know you were anxious about melanoma? Did yoou have to specify the type of cancer you were interested in?

                        I do struggle to understand why decided to have the test. You had a plan. (a) have baby and  then (b) excise mole on tose and send it for testing.

                        Even if you started to investigate now, for example having another biopsy of the mole on your toe, there would be nothing you could do about it until your baby is born. The surgeon does not want to do more complete excision, presumably because of the anaesthetic. You won't be able to have a scan.

                        So I think the plan is the same as before. Once the baby is born you can have the mole excised and sent for testing.

                         

                         

                         

                        MoiraM
                        Participant

                          I knew nothing about the Oncoblot test until you mentioned it. Interestingly, I can nothing other than promotional artticles about it on the internet. I was hoping for a peer reviewed article or at least a balanced discussion. I know that the company says that the frequencies of false positives is low but I would be much happier if it had been tested independently.

                          Did the testing company know you were anxious about melanoma? Did yoou have to specify the type of cancer you were interested in?

                          I do struggle to understand why decided to have the test. You had a plan. (a) have baby and  then (b) excise mole on tose and send it for testing.

                          Even if you started to investigate now, for example having another biopsy of the mole on your toe, there would be nothing you could do about it until your baby is born. The surgeon does not want to do more complete excision, presumably because of the anaesthetic. You won't be able to have a scan.

                          So I think the plan is the same as before. Once the baby is born you can have the mole excised and sent for testing.

                           

                           

                           

                          debwray
                          Participant

                            Hi,

                            Like Moira I was curious about your blood test. It does not appear to have sufficiently robust testing behind it for you to  be sure of the result. Looked on the co website and the small print on the info for physicians page…right at the bottom days no large scale clinical trial conducted on the test for efficacy and not intended as a screening test for cancer???

                            There is a bit of research on on pubmed re the ENOX 2 test which seemed to show some value in asbestos related cancer.. But it says larger scale trials needed.

                            I can understand reluctance re surgery at your stage of pregnancy but if the excision needs doing 1 months wait is enough. Given your family history and the anxiety the oncoblot test will have generated and the wait for your surgeon, would if be worthgoing for a second opinion with a melanoma specialist and then following their advice if that feels right to you ?

                            Best of luck with the new baby and in getting this sorted.

                            Deb

                            debwray
                            Participant

                              Hi,

                              Like Moira I was curious about your blood test. It does not appear to have sufficiently robust testing behind it for you to  be sure of the result. Looked on the co website and the small print on the info for physicians page…right at the bottom days no large scale clinical trial conducted on the test for efficacy and not intended as a screening test for cancer???

                              There is a bit of research on on pubmed re the ENOX 2 test which seemed to show some value in asbestos related cancer.. But it says larger scale trials needed.

                              I can understand reluctance re surgery at your stage of pregnancy but if the excision needs doing 1 months wait is enough. Given your family history and the anxiety the oncoblot test will have generated and the wait for your surgeon, would if be worthgoing for a second opinion with a melanoma specialist and then following their advice if that feels right to you ?

                              Best of luck with the new baby and in getting this sorted.

                              Deb

                              debwray
                              Participant

                                Hi,

                                Like Moira I was curious about your blood test. It does not appear to have sufficiently robust testing behind it for you to  be sure of the result. Looked on the co website and the small print on the info for physicians page…right at the bottom days no large scale clinical trial conducted on the test for efficacy and not intended as a screening test for cancer???

                                There is a bit of research on on pubmed re the ENOX 2 test which seemed to show some value in asbestos related cancer.. But it says larger scale trials needed.

                                I can understand reluctance re surgery at your stage of pregnancy but if the excision needs doing 1 months wait is enough. Given your family history and the anxiety the oncoblot test will have generated and the wait for your surgeon, would if be worthgoing for a second opinion with a melanoma specialist and then following their advice if that feels right to you ?

                                Best of luck with the new baby and in getting this sorted.

                                Deb

                                ed williams
                                Participant

                                  Hi Anon, I was kind of curious why the surgeon recommended against having the toe treated? One more question, is who did you do this test with? Best wishes!!! Ed

                                  ed williams
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Anon, I was kind of curious why the surgeon recommended against having the toe treated? One more question, is who did you do this test with? Best wishes!!! Ed

                                    ed williams
                                    Participant

                                      Hi Anon, I was kind of curious why the surgeon recommended against having the toe treated? One more question, is who did you do this test with? Best wishes!!! Ed

                                  Viewing 11 reply threads
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