› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Primary Dermal Melanoma?
- This topic has 28 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 4 months ago by
JoshF.
- Post
-
- September 16, 2011 at 3:28 am
Hi All-
Hi All-
I was diagnosed in April with Melanoma. I had gone to dermatologists in the past and went earlier this year because of a small lump in my right cheek and to have my skin checked. Skin looked good and he felt ilumpp in cheek was a cyst and left it to me as whther or not I wanted it removed. Well I had it removed and suprise….melanoma!!! Intially, the pathology reports suggested metastatic melanoma but after many skin checks and pet scan we were still baffled. At this time my aunt found Dr. Richards who gathered all information, path slides etc… and determined that I most likely had a case of primary dermal melanoma…not metastatic melanoma. To be sure he ordered a sentinel node biopsy to be performed at the same time they were doing the wide excision in an attempt to obtain clear margins. They were able to obtain clear margins and lymph node biopsy was negative. That was almost 6 months ago and this disease has me terrified. It was just so unusual when you think of melanoma. Anyone ever heard of something like this? I required no treatment but have stayed on aggressive follow up with dermatologist and Dr. Richards. I will have CT Scan next month.
- Replies
-
-
- September 16, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Welcome to our forum. Primary dermal melanoma appears to be a distinct subtype of
melanoma. It tends to stay near the surface of the skin and therefore offers a much
better prognosis than ordinary melanoma. See:
http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/140/1/99Hope this helps.
Frank from Australia
-
- September 16, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Welcome to our forum. Primary dermal melanoma appears to be a distinct subtype of
melanoma. It tends to stay near the surface of the skin and therefore offers a much
better prognosis than ordinary melanoma. See:
http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/140/1/99Hope this helps.
Frank from Australia
-
- September 17, 2011 at 2:50 am
Frank-
Thank you and thanks for the information as I haven't found much on it. As I mentioned my doc says leave the monkey with him but easier said than done. I feel very fortunate and blessed but this still has rocked my world. I am trying to become more and more involved with researching this and helping others find a way to whip this horrible disease. Thanks much…really appreciate your response.
Josh
-
- September 17, 2011 at 2:50 am
Frank-
Thank you and thanks for the information as I haven't found much on it. As I mentioned my doc says leave the monkey with him but easier said than done. I feel very fortunate and blessed but this still has rocked my world. I am trying to become more and more involved with researching this and helping others find a way to whip this horrible disease. Thanks much…really appreciate your response.
Josh
-
- September 19, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Hi,
I am very sorry about your melanoma. But, as you said, you are lucky that you have such type which is rather easy to examine and determine. I am happy to hear that you are not fear-taken and take it all rather positively and do regular check-ups with your doctor.
I wanted to share my experience with aunt (she was diagnosed with melanoma stage 3 in 2007). Okey, it was much harder for her to recover and get rid of this cancer, but what I wanted to say is that, even though the risks of melanoma coming back were reduced to minimum, she still kept using natural medinice in order to activate her immune system and healthy cells would be redy to fight if cancer came back. Therefore, I advice you to maybe consult your doctor about possibilities towards harmless medicine (she used virotherapy with Rigvir) in order to feel calm and confident.kind regards,
H -
- September 19, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Hi,
I am very sorry about your melanoma. But, as you said, you are lucky that you have such type which is rather easy to examine and determine. I am happy to hear that you are not fear-taken and take it all rather positively and do regular check-ups with your doctor.
I wanted to share my experience with aunt (she was diagnosed with melanoma stage 3 in 2007). Okey, it was much harder for her to recover and get rid of this cancer, but what I wanted to say is that, even though the risks of melanoma coming back were reduced to minimum, she still kept using natural medinice in order to activate her immune system and healthy cells would be redy to fight if cancer came back. Therefore, I advice you to maybe consult your doctor about possibilities towards harmless medicine (she used virotherapy with Rigvir) in order to feel calm and confident.kind regards,
H-
- September 20, 2011 at 11:16 am
H-
Thank you for response. That is definitely something I will look into. Anything that can help spur the immune system to fight is compelling. I hope your aunt is well and will include her in my thoughts and prayers. It has taken me a while to open up about this but it has been rewarding. All the best!!!
Josh
-
- September 20, 2011 at 11:16 am
H-
Thank you for response. That is definitely something I will look into. Anything that can help spur the immune system to fight is compelling. I hope your aunt is well and will include her in my thoughts and prayers. It has taken me a while to open up about this but it has been rewarding. All the best!!!
Josh
-
- September 20, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Hi Josh
i would suggest you get yourself to a Melanoma Specialist. Is Dr Richards specifically a Melanoma Specialist? Not tryimng to alarm you but my sons history was similar to yours, diagnosed Metastatic Melanoma following biopsy of a cyst around the Parotitd Gland which is about an inch from your ear lobe. Pet Scan clear and no sign of Primary Melanoma on his skin. It was discovered he had some microscopic Melanoma cells in other Lymph nodes following Lymph node disecction. Melanoma of an unknown origin occurs in about 7% of people dignosed with Metatstatic Mel.
I hope Dr Richards is correct but having been through this with my son i would advise you seek a 2nd opinion.
best wishes
James
-
- September 20, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Hi Josh
i would suggest you get yourself to a Melanoma Specialist. Is Dr Richards specifically a Melanoma Specialist? Not tryimng to alarm you but my sons history was similar to yours, diagnosed Metastatic Melanoma following biopsy of a cyst around the Parotitd Gland which is about an inch from your ear lobe. Pet Scan clear and no sign of Primary Melanoma on his skin. It was discovered he had some microscopic Melanoma cells in other Lymph nodes following Lymph node disecction. Melanoma of an unknown origin occurs in about 7% of people dignosed with Metatstatic Mel.
I hope Dr Richards is correct but having been through this with my son i would advise you seek a 2nd opinion.
best wishes
James
-
- September 23, 2011 at 11:00 am
James-
Thank you for response. Yes, Dr. Richards is a specialist in melanoma. He is considered one of the regional experts in my area. My first oncologist felt that Dr. Richards was a better choice than her on dealing with this. I have to tell you I'm still concerned about the odd presentation of melanoma though Dr. Richards tells me he has seen this before.
So in your son's case the bump appeared and they never found a leison? What course of treatmenat(s) has he been through? This is a horrible disease.All my best!
Josh
-
- September 23, 2011 at 11:00 am
James-
Thank you for response. Yes, Dr. Richards is a specialist in melanoma. He is considered one of the regional experts in my area. My first oncologist felt that Dr. Richards was a better choice than her on dealing with this. I have to tell you I'm still concerned about the odd presentation of melanoma though Dr. Richards tells me he has seen this before.
So in your son's case the bump appeared and they never found a leison? What course of treatmenat(s) has he been through? This is a horrible disease.All my best!
Josh
-
- September 24, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Hi Josh
I'm glad you are seeing a specialist, however it surprises me that if Pathology says Metastatic Melanoma and he says it is not? Michael felt a little lump under his skin his path report said MM. He had a Lmph node disection which revealed microscopic disease in three nodes. All other scans were clear. He commenced 12 months Interferon. Just before he stopped the IFN he progressed and for 1 year he was treated and after many operations, chemo and Ippi he lost his battle.
So Josh i am sure that Dr Richards has a handle on it but you may now understand why i am suggesting a 2nd opinion.
best wishes
James
-
- September 24, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Hi Josh
I'm glad you are seeing a specialist, however it surprises me that if Pathology says Metastatic Melanoma and he says it is not? Michael felt a little lump under his skin his path report said MM. He had a Lmph node disection which revealed microscopic disease in three nodes. All other scans were clear. He commenced 12 months Interferon. Just before he stopped the IFN he progressed and for 1 year he was treated and after many operations, chemo and Ippi he lost his battle.
So Josh i am sure that Dr Richards has a handle on it but you may now understand why i am suggesting a 2nd opinion.
best wishes
James
-
- September 25, 2011 at 2:09 pm
James-
I'm sorry to hear that….it's horrible. I still question everything….it's is very scary. I have been considering seeking another opinion. It's not so much the diagnosis as it is the treatment. My doc said with good blood work…clean PET/CT Scan and negative node biopsy that treatment would do me more harm than good. I don't want treatment but I also don't want to let things go and then be caught in a nasty predicament.
The year of interferon was tough for your son? I wish it would have worked….stories like this break my heart. I hope better treatments and a cure are within reach.
Josh
-
- September 25, 2011 at 2:09 pm
James-
I'm sorry to hear that….it's horrible. I still question everything….it's is very scary. I have been considering seeking another opinion. It's not so much the diagnosis as it is the treatment. My doc said with good blood work…clean PET/CT Scan and negative node biopsy that treatment would do me more harm than good. I don't want treatment but I also don't want to let things go and then be caught in a nasty predicament.
The year of interferon was tough for your son? I wish it would have worked….stories like this break my heart. I hope better treatments and a cure are within reach.
Josh
-
- September 25, 2011 at 6:19 am
Sounds like we are in a word game here. Did the Pathology report say MM, or Metastatic Melanoma?
WHAT is MM? Is it Malignant melanoma or Metastatic Melanoma?
I remember reading years ago, when I first started this journey, that Malignant was just stuck in there to add infuses to the fat that melanoma is malignant. That a cancer is only Metastatic after it has spread.
MM
- Malignant Melanoma – Melanoma that starts in the skin; also called cutaneous melanoma.
Web definitions
Metastatic Melanoma
- Melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body by way of the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.
Metastatic Melanoma- refers to the terminal form of melanoma resulting into metastasis (cancer that has spread out in the body affecting other organs). …
***********************************************Primary Dermal MelanomaA Distinct Subtype of Melanoma
Susan M. Swetter, MD ;Phillip M. Ecker, BA ;Denise L. Johnson, MD ;Jeff D. Harvell, MD Arch Dermatol. 2004;140:99-103.
Background The term primary dermal melanoma has been used to describe a subtype of melanoma confined to the dermis and/or subcutaneous fat that histologically simulates metastasis but is associated with an unexpectedly prolonged survival. We report 7 cases of primary dermal melanoma diagnosed from 1998 to 2002 with no identifiable junctional or epidermal component or nevoid precursor. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical features were compared with known cases of cutaneous metastasis and nodular melanoma in an attempt to differentiate this entity from clinical and pathologic mimics.
Observations Seven patients had a single dermal and/or subcutaneous focus of melanoma. Metastatic staging workup findings were negative, including results from sentinel node and imaging studies. Mean Breslow depth was 7.0 mm, and mean maximum tumor diameter was 6.2 mm. The study cohort showed 100% survival at mean follow-up of 41 months (range, 10-64 months). Immunohistochemical analysis with S100, HMB-45, Ki-67, CD34, and p75 antibodies showed no significant staining patterns compared with metastatic and nodular melanomas.
Conclusions Primary dermal melanoma appears to be a distinct subtype of melanoma based on the excellent prognosis associated with this case series and others. Additional research focusing on cause, appropriate staging, and outcome of previously identified solitary dermal metastasis is warranted to further delineate this entity.
*********************
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11074704
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Several patients presented with a single focus of presumed cutaneous metastatic melanoma with an unknown primary tumor based on clinical and histologic staging criteria of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). This population is classified as having stage IV disease by the current AJCC staging system, which carries a dismal prognosis (5%-18% 5-year survival). Our clinical observation was that these patients had a higher survival rate than would be expected for stage IV disease. We believe this population represents a subgroup of primary dermal- and or subcutaneously-derived melanoma that simulates cutaneous metastatic melanoma in histologic and clinical presentation but may differ in behavior.
OBSERVATIONS:
The database records of 1800 patients from the University of Michigan Melanoma Clinic, Ann Arbor, were retrospectively reviewed to identify the prevalence and survival for patients diagnosed with a single focus of presumed metastatic melanoma to the skin based on accepted histologic and clinical parameters. The prevalence of this population was 0.61% (11 of 1800 patients). The Kaplan-Meier 8-year survival estimate was 83% (95% confidence interval, 58%-100%).
CONCLUSIONS:
By AJCC convention, these cases are classified as stage IV metastatic disease. Our data suggest that these presumed metastatic tumors do not behave like stage IV metastatic disease to the skin via lymphatic or hematogenous spread from an unknown primary site; rather, they are behaving like primary tumors originating in the dermal and/or subcutaneous tissue.
-
- September 25, 2011 at 6:19 am
Sounds like we are in a word game here. Did the Pathology report say MM, or Metastatic Melanoma?
WHAT is MM? Is it Malignant melanoma or Metastatic Melanoma?
I remember reading years ago, when I first started this journey, that Malignant was just stuck in there to add infuses to the fat that melanoma is malignant. That a cancer is only Metastatic after it has spread.
MM
- Malignant Melanoma – Melanoma that starts in the skin; also called cutaneous melanoma.
Web definitions
Metastatic Melanoma
- Melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body by way of the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.
Metastatic Melanoma- refers to the terminal form of melanoma resulting into metastasis (cancer that has spread out in the body affecting other organs). …
***********************************************Primary Dermal MelanomaA Distinct Subtype of Melanoma
Susan M. Swetter, MD ;Phillip M. Ecker, BA ;Denise L. Johnson, MD ;Jeff D. Harvell, MD Arch Dermatol. 2004;140:99-103.
Background The term primary dermal melanoma has been used to describe a subtype of melanoma confined to the dermis and/or subcutaneous fat that histologically simulates metastasis but is associated with an unexpectedly prolonged survival. We report 7 cases of primary dermal melanoma diagnosed from 1998 to 2002 with no identifiable junctional or epidermal component or nevoid precursor. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical features were compared with known cases of cutaneous metastasis and nodular melanoma in an attempt to differentiate this entity from clinical and pathologic mimics.
Observations Seven patients had a single dermal and/or subcutaneous focus of melanoma. Metastatic staging workup findings were negative, including results from sentinel node and imaging studies. Mean Breslow depth was 7.0 mm, and mean maximum tumor diameter was 6.2 mm. The study cohort showed 100% survival at mean follow-up of 41 months (range, 10-64 months). Immunohistochemical analysis with S100, HMB-45, Ki-67, CD34, and p75 antibodies showed no significant staining patterns compared with metastatic and nodular melanomas.
Conclusions Primary dermal melanoma appears to be a distinct subtype of melanoma based on the excellent prognosis associated with this case series and others. Additional research focusing on cause, appropriate staging, and outcome of previously identified solitary dermal metastasis is warranted to further delineate this entity.
*********************
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11074704
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Several patients presented with a single focus of presumed cutaneous metastatic melanoma with an unknown primary tumor based on clinical and histologic staging criteria of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). This population is classified as having stage IV disease by the current AJCC staging system, which carries a dismal prognosis (5%-18% 5-year survival). Our clinical observation was that these patients had a higher survival rate than would be expected for stage IV disease. We believe this population represents a subgroup of primary dermal- and or subcutaneously-derived melanoma that simulates cutaneous metastatic melanoma in histologic and clinical presentation but may differ in behavior.
OBSERVATIONS:
The database records of 1800 patients from the University of Michigan Melanoma Clinic, Ann Arbor, were retrospectively reviewed to identify the prevalence and survival for patients diagnosed with a single focus of presumed metastatic melanoma to the skin based on accepted histologic and clinical parameters. The prevalence of this population was 0.61% (11 of 1800 patients). The Kaplan-Meier 8-year survival estimate was 83% (95% confidence interval, 58%-100%).
CONCLUSIONS:
By AJCC convention, these cases are classified as stage IV metastatic disease. Our data suggest that these presumed metastatic tumors do not behave like stage IV metastatic disease to the skin via lymphatic or hematogenous spread from an unknown primary site; rather, they are behaving like primary tumors originating in the dermal and/or subcutaneous tissue.
-
- September 25, 2011 at 6:24 am
2009 update says:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19130137
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Solitary dermal melanoma (SDM) is confined to the dermal and/or subcutaneous tissue without an epidermal component. It is unclear whether this lesion is a subtype of primary melanoma or distant cutaneous metastasis from an unknown primary. We evaluated our large experience to determine the prognosis and optimal management of SDM.
METHODS:
Our melanoma referral center's database of prospectively acquired records was used for identification and clinicopathologic analysis of patients presenting with SDM between 1971 and 2005.
RESULTS:
Of 12,817 database patients seen during a 34-year period, 101 (0.8%) had SDM. Of 92 patients free of distant metastasis on initial presentation, 55 (60%) were observed and 37 (40%) underwent surgical nodal staging: regional metastases were identified in 7 (19%). Nodal recurrence occurred in 1 of 30 patients (3.3%) with histopathology-negative nodes compared with 13 of 55 patients (24%) who underwent nodal observation instead of nodal staging. Thus, 21 of 92 patients (23%) had nodal metastasis identified during surgical nodal staging or postoperative nodal observation. At a median follow-up of 68 months, estimated 5-year overall survival rate was 73% for 71 patients with localized disease versus 67% for 21 patients with regional disease (P=0.25) versus 22% for 9 patients with distant disease (P=0.009, regional versus distant disease).
CONCLUSIONS:
SDM resembles intermediate-thickness primary cutaneous melanoma with respect to prognostic characteristics and clinical evolution, but its rate of distant metastasis justifies radiographic staging and its high rate of regional node metastasis justifies wide excision and sentinel node biopsy.
-
- September 25, 2011 at 6:24 am
2009 update says:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19130137
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Solitary dermal melanoma (SDM) is confined to the dermal and/or subcutaneous tissue without an epidermal component. It is unclear whether this lesion is a subtype of primary melanoma or distant cutaneous metastasis from an unknown primary. We evaluated our large experience to determine the prognosis and optimal management of SDM.
METHODS:
Our melanoma referral center's database of prospectively acquired records was used for identification and clinicopathologic analysis of patients presenting with SDM between 1971 and 2005.
RESULTS:
Of 12,817 database patients seen during a 34-year period, 101 (0.8%) had SDM. Of 92 patients free of distant metastasis on initial presentation, 55 (60%) were observed and 37 (40%) underwent surgical nodal staging: regional metastases were identified in 7 (19%). Nodal recurrence occurred in 1 of 30 patients (3.3%) with histopathology-negative nodes compared with 13 of 55 patients (24%) who underwent nodal observation instead of nodal staging. Thus, 21 of 92 patients (23%) had nodal metastasis identified during surgical nodal staging or postoperative nodal observation. At a median follow-up of 68 months, estimated 5-year overall survival rate was 73% for 71 patients with localized disease versus 67% for 21 patients with regional disease (P=0.25) versus 22% for 9 patients with distant disease (P=0.009, regional versus distant disease).
CONCLUSIONS:
SDM resembles intermediate-thickness primary cutaneous melanoma with respect to prognostic characteristics and clinical evolution, but its rate of distant metastasis justifies radiographic staging and its high rate of regional node metastasis justifies wide excision and sentinel node biopsy.
-
- September 25, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Jerry-
Thanks for response and a ton of info….though was the update to the intial studay or another study? My head spins with all this and I try to make sense of it all.
Sorry for word play….my pathology said metastatic melanoma. Intially when my dermatologist told me I had melanoma (he intially removed what we thought was a cyst), he said he wasn't sure but felt it was localized and a rare presentation due to some necrosis etc… he saw in my cheek. He had beein involvedin studies previously on melanoma at University of IL-Chicago Med Center. He explained that pathology can be skewed if there is no epidermis involved…which in my case there wasn't. He said it was possible that there was an umknown primary but felt it was very unlikely as he had never saw anything suspicous and a previous mole on my arm I had removed was negative. All very confusing and scary for me.
I see an oncologist who specializes in melanoma and says he is familiar with my situation. He felt treatment wasn't necessary and just went with aggressive follow up regimine. I was there on Friday and have a scan coming up as I'm close to 6 months. Praying for NED!!!! Wondering if I should see another specialist for 3rd opinion…we have a number of oncologists in Chicago who specialize in melanoma…..thoughts?
Josh
-
- September 25, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Jerry-
Thanks for response and a ton of info….though was the update to the intial studay or another study? My head spins with all this and I try to make sense of it all.
Sorry for word play….my pathology said metastatic melanoma. Intially when my dermatologist told me I had melanoma (he intially removed what we thought was a cyst), he said he wasn't sure but felt it was localized and a rare presentation due to some necrosis etc… he saw in my cheek. He had beein involvedin studies previously on melanoma at University of IL-Chicago Med Center. He explained that pathology can be skewed if there is no epidermis involved…which in my case there wasn't. He said it was possible that there was an umknown primary but felt it was very unlikely as he had never saw anything suspicous and a previous mole on my arm I had removed was negative. All very confusing and scary for me.
I see an oncologist who specializes in melanoma and says he is familiar with my situation. He felt treatment wasn't necessary and just went with aggressive follow up regimine. I was there on Friday and have a scan coming up as I'm close to 6 months. Praying for NED!!!! Wondering if I should see another specialist for 3rd opinion…we have a number of oncologists in Chicago who specialize in melanoma…..thoughts?
Josh
-
- September 26, 2011 at 4:14 am
The first study (2000 – Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, 1910 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0314, USA.) involved 1800 patients records.
The 2009 study by Department of Surgical Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA. updating the general topic covered 12,817 database patients seen during a 34-year period,
I don't understand how, from one tumor that may be the primary, someone can say the cancer has gone metastatic. This is my problem with the wording that has appeared. I would think that perhaps your Oncologist would answer as to whether or not your cancer is metastatic and what that term means to him. From what you have said, it appears very likely that it was a localized tumor only. A close watch should be kept to learn if there is any spread (metastasis) to any other locations in your body. The Studies I found do allow for a slight percentage of cases to spread further in the future. The majority of cases were not found to spread further. This puts you in a pretty good place. The one problem is that melanoma does not follow set patterns and there is some chance that anything might happen.
I didn't mean that you were playing with words, it's just that I have seen MM used two ways and the term MM=malignant melanoma is itself a "play" on words used to re-enforce the understanding that melanoma is a malignancy, Where the term metastatic implies spread already.
It will be interesting to learn if the pathologist and oncologist agree on the use of the term metastatic in this case and how they relate that to the common meaning of having spread. I could see a second Oncological opinion if things are not clear in your understanding of the meaning of the terms used. (If insurance wiIl cover it.)
Good luck with being through with the main problem with melanoma.
-
- September 26, 2011 at 4:14 am
The first study (2000 – Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, 1910 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0314, USA.) involved 1800 patients records.
The 2009 study by Department of Surgical Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA. updating the general topic covered 12,817 database patients seen during a 34-year period,
I don't understand how, from one tumor that may be the primary, someone can say the cancer has gone metastatic. This is my problem with the wording that has appeared. I would think that perhaps your Oncologist would answer as to whether or not your cancer is metastatic and what that term means to him. From what you have said, it appears very likely that it was a localized tumor only. A close watch should be kept to learn if there is any spread (metastasis) to any other locations in your body. The Studies I found do allow for a slight percentage of cases to spread further in the future. The majority of cases were not found to spread further. This puts you in a pretty good place. The one problem is that melanoma does not follow set patterns and there is some chance that anything might happen.
I didn't mean that you were playing with words, it's just that I have seen MM used two ways and the term MM=malignant melanoma is itself a "play" on words used to re-enforce the understanding that melanoma is a malignancy, Where the term metastatic implies spread already.
It will be interesting to learn if the pathologist and oncologist agree on the use of the term metastatic in this case and how they relate that to the common meaning of having spread. I could see a second Oncological opinion if things are not clear in your understanding of the meaning of the terms used. (If insurance wiIl cover it.)
Good luck with being through with the main problem with melanoma.
-
- September 26, 2011 at 5:33 am
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4363
Metastasis: 1. The process by which cancer spreads from the place at which it first arose as a primary tumor to distant locations in the body.
2. The cancer resulting from the spread of the primary tumor. For example, someone with melanoma may have a metastasis in their brain. And a person with colon cancer may, fortunately, show no metastases.Metastasis depends on the cancer cells acquiring two separate abilities — increased motility and invasiveness. Cells that metastasize are basically of the same kind as those in the original tumor. If a cancer arises in the lung and metastasizes to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are lung cancer cells. However, the cells have acquired increased motility and the ability to invade another organ.
The ancient Greeks used the word metastasis to mean "removal from one place to another." The plural of "metastasis" is "metastases."
Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM -
- September 26, 2011 at 5:33 am
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4363
Metastasis: 1. The process by which cancer spreads from the place at which it first arose as a primary tumor to distant locations in the body.
2. The cancer resulting from the spread of the primary tumor. For example, someone with melanoma may have a metastasis in their brain. And a person with colon cancer may, fortunately, show no metastases.Metastasis depends on the cancer cells acquiring two separate abilities — increased motility and invasiveness. Cells that metastasize are basically of the same kind as those in the original tumor. If a cancer arises in the lung and metastasizes to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are lung cancer cells. However, the cells have acquired increased motility and the ability to invade another organ.
The ancient Greeks used the word metastasis to mean "removal from one place to another." The plural of "metastasis" is "metastases."
Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM -
- September 26, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Jerry-
You're a wealth of information. This all being relatively new to me has me dizzy. So my doctor has said…this is a low recurrence chance…10% localized and 5% to an organ. He keeps telling me to take the monkey off my back and leave it with him….easier said than done. I had another follow up this past Friday…doc also said after 2 years…I should be in the clear. This is crazy!!! I hope you're well…I'm attending a MRF sponsored event this Saturday at which my doctor and many other specialists in the area will be presenting at. Keep in touch….
Josh
-
- September 26, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Jerry-
You're a wealth of information. This all being relatively new to me has me dizzy. So my doctor has said…this is a low recurrence chance…10% localized and 5% to an organ. He keeps telling me to take the monkey off my back and leave it with him….easier said than done. I had another follow up this past Friday…doc also said after 2 years…I should be in the clear. This is crazy!!! I hope you're well…I'm attending a MRF sponsored event this Saturday at which my doctor and many other specialists in the area will be presenting at. Keep in touch….
Josh
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.