pathology report-scared!
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pathology report-scared!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › pathology report-scared!

  • Post
    • June 24, 2011 at 5:24 pm
    killmel
    Participant

    Hi Everyone,

    I am new to MPIP & this is my first time posting.I am stage 3. A few weeks ago, I had surgery to remove a 3rd recurrence in my thigh.  The surgeon got some clear margins but not  the lateral margin. Apparently, he could not see a "satellite nodule" at the lateral margin.

    Hi Everyone,

    I am new to MPIP & this is my first time posting.I am stage 3. A few weeks ago, I had surgery to remove a 3rd recurrence in my thigh.  The surgeon got some clear margins but not  the lateral margin. Apparently, he could not see a "satellite nodule" at the lateral margin.

    The pathology report stated " a satellite nodule present at lateral margin". I contacted the pathologist to inquire how large was the satellite node. The pathologist told me that the nodule had been "cut through" and that the nodule was 2mm but he could not tell how large the other side of the cut tumor nodule was that remains in my thigh.

    I am devasitated that the satellite nodule tumor was cut through & remains in my thigh. I can only speculate that melanoma cancer cells from this tumor are now floating in my thigh and into my blood/lymph system because it was cut & did not remain contained within clear margins

    There are so many of you experienced & knowlegeable about melanoma, surgery. treatment, etc. so I sincerely would appreciate your opinion about the significance & ramifications of the satellite nodule tumor being cut through.

    Am I overacting that hat melanoma cancer cells from this tumor are now floating in my thigh and into my blood/lymph system???

    Thank you so much for your help.

    James

     

     

Viewing 7 reply threads
  • Replies
      • June 24, 2011 at 7:54 pm
      Carol Taylor
      Participant

      James,

      OK, you've talked to the pathologist. Have you called your surgeon? Hopefully your surgeon is a melanoma specialist and if not I hope you get one, but in the meantime or even if he/she is, have you talked with them?

      I haven't been in your shoes exactly, but I think if I were then that's who I would call. My mind would go exactly where yours is going, imagining all those cells floating around. In my case, my dr has a wonderful onc nurse with lots of intials and she'd field my call, talk with dr & call me right back, but I'm pretty sure I'd get answers…might not like them, but I'd get answers.

      I don't think you're overreacting because you don't know. It's not your field, you were told something by a pathologist that's worrisome and understandably so because you don't know. Worry is worse than making another phone call and finding out if there's a real problem that needs to be addressed.

      All the best.

      Grace and peace,

      Carol

      • June 24, 2011 at 7:54 pm
      Carol Taylor
      Participant

      James,

      OK, you've talked to the pathologist. Have you called your surgeon? Hopefully your surgeon is a melanoma specialist and if not I hope you get one, but in the meantime or even if he/she is, have you talked with them?

      I haven't been in your shoes exactly, but I think if I were then that's who I would call. My mind would go exactly where yours is going, imagining all those cells floating around. In my case, my dr has a wonderful onc nurse with lots of intials and she'd field my call, talk with dr & call me right back, but I'm pretty sure I'd get answers…might not like them, but I'd get answers.

      I don't think you're overreacting because you don't know. It's not your field, you were told something by a pathologist that's worrisome and understandably so because you don't know. Worry is worse than making another phone call and finding out if there's a real problem that needs to be addressed.

      All the best.

      Grace and peace,

      Carol

      • June 24, 2011 at 8:09 pm
      MaryD
      Participant

      Hi James,

      Welcome to the board – sorry you have to be here but it is a great source of information and we are all here to help.

      Where are you currently being treated?   Honestly I don't think you are overreactiing but taking some action immediately will help you work through this and come up with some  good solutions.  First of all, this something that should be discussed thoroughly with your oncologist.   Is there a possibiltiy that they could re-excise more tissue to remove the residual nodule?

      Secondly I wondered if you and your Dr. have discussed adjuvant treatment once everything is clear as that is an option as well.   The most important thing is to to work with a trained melanoma specialist who can spell out all the options and get on top of this recent issue.    I'm sure others on the board can share some thoughts as well.

      Take a deep breath – this is scary but know that you have options and can seek other opinions to help you.

      Best regards,

      Mary

        • June 24, 2011 at 8:55 pm
        killmel
        Participant

        Thank you so much for your reply.

        My surgeon is a melanoma specialist with  many years exp (20+)  I had my post- op appt with my surgeon & he discuss the patholgy report with me.

        My surgeon told me the "satelitte nodule" was "microscopic" & he was not able to see it. He also told me that he got the nodule out which was in the tissue he cut out  but he did not get clear margins on the other side because the satellite nodule was at the lateral margin. He did not indicate that he cut "through" the nodule. He was surprised that pathology report  indicated that there was even  a satellite nodule in the tissue.

        After my appointment with the surgeon, out of curiosity, I contacted the pathologist to ask him what size was the satellite nodule and if it was microscopic because the pathologist did not indicate size on the pathology report.

        The pathologist then indicated that after examining the tissue, the nodule was 2mm & was "cut through" so he could not give me the exact size because the rest of the tumor was still in my thigh.

        The pathologist has not talked to the surgeon. The pathologist told me to tell the surgeon to call him if he had any questions. I think that the pathologist should have stated in the pathology report that the nodule was "cut through".

        The surgeon does not know I spoke to the pathologist so I will contact the surgeons office on Monday. I think that the sugeon believes he got the "satellite nodule" out.

        Right now, I am between oncologists. I will contact the surgeons office on Monday & hope to get answers. I have had 3 surgerys in the same place on my thigh. My thigh & leg  is very swollen, painful, bruised  and has 2 large seromas at the incision site.

        In the meantime, I welcome any feedback, recommendations about my situation and opinions about the significance & ramifications of the satellite nodule tumor being cut through.

        God Bless

        James

        • June 24, 2011 at 8:55 pm
        killmel
        Participant

        Thank you so much for your reply.

        My surgeon is a melanoma specialist with  many years exp (20+)  I had my post- op appt with my surgeon & he discuss the patholgy report with me.

        My surgeon told me the "satelitte nodule" was "microscopic" & he was not able to see it. He also told me that he got the nodule out which was in the tissue he cut out  but he did not get clear margins on the other side because the satellite nodule was at the lateral margin. He did not indicate that he cut "through" the nodule. He was surprised that pathology report  indicated that there was even  a satellite nodule in the tissue.

        After my appointment with the surgeon, out of curiosity, I contacted the pathologist to ask him what size was the satellite nodule and if it was microscopic because the pathologist did not indicate size on the pathology report.

        The pathologist then indicated that after examining the tissue, the nodule was 2mm & was "cut through" so he could not give me the exact size because the rest of the tumor was still in my thigh.

        The pathologist has not talked to the surgeon. The pathologist told me to tell the surgeon to call him if he had any questions. I think that the pathologist should have stated in the pathology report that the nodule was "cut through".

        The surgeon does not know I spoke to the pathologist so I will contact the surgeons office on Monday. I think that the sugeon believes he got the "satellite nodule" out.

        Right now, I am between oncologists. I will contact the surgeons office on Monday & hope to get answers. I have had 3 surgerys in the same place on my thigh. My thigh & leg  is very swollen, painful, bruised  and has 2 large seromas at the incision site.

        In the meantime, I welcome any feedback, recommendations about my situation and opinions about the significance & ramifications of the satellite nodule tumor being cut through.

        God Bless

        James

      • June 24, 2011 at 8:09 pm
      MaryD
      Participant

      Hi James,

      Welcome to the board – sorry you have to be here but it is a great source of information and we are all here to help.

      Where are you currently being treated?   Honestly I don't think you are overreactiing but taking some action immediately will help you work through this and come up with some  good solutions.  First of all, this something that should be discussed thoroughly with your oncologist.   Is there a possibiltiy that they could re-excise more tissue to remove the residual nodule?

      Secondly I wondered if you and your Dr. have discussed adjuvant treatment once everything is clear as that is an option as well.   The most important thing is to to work with a trained melanoma specialist who can spell out all the options and get on top of this recent issue.    I'm sure others on the board can share some thoughts as well.

      Take a deep breath – this is scary but know that you have options and can seek other opinions to help you.

      Best regards,

      Mary

      • June 24, 2011 at 8:16 pm
      lhaley
      Participant

      First of all, welcome to our site, the one knowbody wants to be at. Hopefully we can help you with some support.

      I know your ticked (would cuss for you but that's one of the rules of the site that most of the time we listen to). I agree with Carol that you need to talk to the surgeon. My thoughts are you will have to have another wide excision. If you do it with this Dr or another will be your decision.

      Realize how small 2mm is. When the surgeon cuts, he cannot see something that small in amongst all of the other tissue and blood (at least that's my thinking).  I would think that this does put you in a more critical position though.  I would immediately get on the phone with the surgeon and at the same time call your oncologist who is hopefully a melanoma specialist.

      I am wondering why the pathologist gave you this info and not the Dr.  In all of the years I've been dealing with mel and my 6 recurrances I have never spoken to the pathologist directly.  I know one has been called to the tumor board meetings when my specialist questioned something.  If he called you directly then I would think he is concerned but he would still not have been following proper protocal.

      Also, why did it take them this long to tell you this information?  Have you seen the surgeon during this time? What did he tell you?

      Hoping for the best,

      Linda

      Stage IV since 06

      • June 24, 2011 at 8:16 pm
      lhaley
      Participant

      First of all, welcome to our site, the one knowbody wants to be at. Hopefully we can help you with some support.

      I know your ticked (would cuss for you but that's one of the rules of the site that most of the time we listen to). I agree with Carol that you need to talk to the surgeon. My thoughts are you will have to have another wide excision. If you do it with this Dr or another will be your decision.

      Realize how small 2mm is. When the surgeon cuts, he cannot see something that small in amongst all of the other tissue and blood (at least that's my thinking).  I would think that this does put you in a more critical position though.  I would immediately get on the phone with the surgeon and at the same time call your oncologist who is hopefully a melanoma specialist.

      I am wondering why the pathologist gave you this info and not the Dr.  In all of the years I've been dealing with mel and my 6 recurrances I have never spoken to the pathologist directly.  I know one has been called to the tumor board meetings when my specialist questioned something.  If he called you directly then I would think he is concerned but he would still not have been following proper protocal.

      Also, why did it take them this long to tell you this information?  Have you seen the surgeon during this time? What did he tell you?

      Hoping for the best,

      Linda

      Stage IV since 06

      • June 25, 2011 at 4:43 pm
      killmel
      Participant

      Thank you so much for your reply. (Sorry,I still am learning how this posting/reply works)

      My surgeon is a melanoma specialist with  many years exp (20+)  I had my post- op appt with my surgeon & he discuss the patholgy report with me.

      My surgeon told me the "satelitte nodule" was "microscopic" & he was not able to see it. He also told me that he got the nodule out which was in the tissue he cut out  but he did not get clear margins on the other side because the satellite nodule was at the lateral margin. He did not indicate that he cut "through" the nodule. He was surprised that pathology report  indicated that there was even  a satellite nodule in the tissue.

      After my appointment with the surgeon, out of curiosity, I contacted the pathologist to ask him what size was the satellite nodule and if it was microscopic because the pathologist did not indicate size on the pathology report.

      The pathologist then indicated that after examining the tissue, the nodule was 2mm & was "cut through" so he could not give me the exact size because the rest of the tumor was still in my thigh.

      The pathologist has not talked to the surgeon. The pathologist told me to tell the surgeon to call him if he had any questions. I think that the pathologist should have stated in the pathology report that the nodule was "cut through".

      The surgeon does not know I spoke to the pathologist so I will contact the surgeons office on Monday. I think that the sugeon believes he got the "satellite nodule" out.

      Right now, I am between oncologists. I will contact the surgeons office on Monday & hope to get answers. I have had 3 surgerys in the same place on my thigh. My thigh & leg  is very swollen, painful, bruised  and has 2 large seromas at the incision site.

      In the meantime, I welcome any feedback, recommendations about my situation.and opinions about the significance & ramifications of the satellite nodule tumor being cut through.

      God Bless

      James

       

      • June 25, 2011 at 4:43 pm
      killmel
      Participant

      Thank you so much for your reply. (Sorry,I still am learning how this posting/reply works)

      My surgeon is a melanoma specialist with  many years exp (20+)  I had my post- op appt with my surgeon & he discuss the patholgy report with me.

      My surgeon told me the "satelitte nodule" was "microscopic" & he was not able to see it. He also told me that he got the nodule out which was in the tissue he cut out  but he did not get clear margins on the other side because the satellite nodule was at the lateral margin. He did not indicate that he cut "through" the nodule. He was surprised that pathology report  indicated that there was even  a satellite nodule in the tissue.

      After my appointment with the surgeon, out of curiosity, I contacted the pathologist to ask him what size was the satellite nodule and if it was microscopic because the pathologist did not indicate size on the pathology report.

      The pathologist then indicated that after examining the tissue, the nodule was 2mm & was "cut through" so he could not give me the exact size because the rest of the tumor was still in my thigh.

      The pathologist has not talked to the surgeon. The pathologist told me to tell the surgeon to call him if he had any questions. I think that the pathologist should have stated in the pathology report that the nodule was "cut through".

      The surgeon does not know I spoke to the pathologist so I will contact the surgeons office on Monday. I think that the sugeon believes he got the "satellite nodule" out.

      Right now, I am between oncologists. I will contact the surgeons office on Monday & hope to get answers. I have had 3 surgerys in the same place on my thigh. My thigh & leg  is very swollen, painful, bruised  and has 2 large seromas at the incision site.

      In the meantime, I welcome any feedback, recommendations about my situation.and opinions about the significance & ramifications of the satellite nodule tumor being cut through.

      God Bless

      James

       

        • June 25, 2011 at 9:02 pm
        boot2aboot
        Participant

        i would suggest you go to a teaching hospital that is also a comprehensive cancer center…that way you get more experts than you paid for and a treatment  protocol and schedule. 

        boots

        • June 25, 2011 at 9:02 pm
        boot2aboot
        Participant

        i would suggest you go to a teaching hospital that is also a comprehensive cancer center…that way you get more experts than you paid for and a treatment  protocol and schedule. 

        boots

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