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Possible Stage 1; PET Scan???
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Possible Stage 1; PET Scan???

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Possible Stage 1; PET Scan???

  • Post
    • April 21, 2015 at 5:56 pm
    Sha20vs
    Participant

      Hello,

      I unfortunately am not new here.  Although, I have been fortunate that I have never gone to this board to get information for myself, I now need it for a second family member. 

      Here is what I know:

      Diagnosed with superficial melanoma less than 1 millimeter thick.  I have not seen the path report yet to know whether or not there was ulceration or what the mitotic rate is.  The WLE was done last week and the path results are not yet in.  Met with oncologists today and they are opting to do a PET Scan.  Seems to me this would classified as Stage 1A or 1B and the SLND should be warranted.

      Thoughts?

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 21, 2015 at 6:56 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Stage IA, no SNB.  Stage IB, depends on what institution.  Some still have cutoff values for depth for the SNB.  PET scan is rarely done and does NOT replace a SNB.  PET scans only see tumors of about 5mm or larger and would miss microscopic cells in a sentinel node.  In fact, PET scans are rarely done for stage I at any time so that seems a bit out of whack to start. 

          • April 21, 2015 at 6:56 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            Stage IA, no SNB.  Stage IB, depends on what institution.  Some still have cutoff values for depth for the SNB.  PET scan is rarely done and does NOT replace a SNB.  PET scans only see tumors of about 5mm or larger and would miss microscopic cells in a sentinel node.  In fact, PET scans are rarely done for stage I at any time so that seems a bit out of whack to start. 

            • April 21, 2015 at 6:56 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              Stage IA, no SNB.  Stage IB, depends on what institution.  Some still have cutoff values for depth for the SNB.  PET scan is rarely done and does NOT replace a SNB.  PET scans only see tumors of about 5mm or larger and would miss microscopic cells in a sentinel node.  In fact, PET scans are rarely done for stage I at any time so that seems a bit out of whack to start. 

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