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radiation on facial skin graft – desmoplastic melanoma
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radiation on facial skin graft – desmoplastic melanoma

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › radiation on facial skin graft – desmoplastic melanoma

  • Post
    • August 7, 2016 at 8:35 pm
    katek
    Participant

      Hello —

      I was diagnosed with lentigo maligna melanoma in February. Four surgeries and two skin grafts later, I'm about to start 6 weeks of radiation for a recurrence that was called 'neurotropic desmoplastic melanoma'. It's quite a rare critter. Given the amount of my cheek that's been removed and the size of the skin graft, I still "look like myself," i.e., have my facial nerves, expressions, etc. that I think of as me. I'm wondering if radiation will affect the nerves that control expression. In the scheme of life, it's all okay. I still have melanoma beneath the deepest point of the latest biopsy, 5.5mm; this radiation is supposed to knock that to Kingdom Come. 

      I've been feeling pretty alone in this experience of desmoplastic melanoma(wonderful family and friend support so I'm not wishing for that) but rather someone else who may have this type of melanoma or melanoma on the face. 

      Many thanks,

      Kate

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 8, 2016 at 2:46 am
        Casitas1
        Participant

          Kate, I had Desmoplastic Neurotropic Melanoma of the lower lip. I am NED. As of last Wed. Many surgeries, Chemo, Immunotherapies. However, never had Radiation although i was offered it. My primary was 5.5mm. This melanoma is very aggressive locally but doesn't seem to spread to other parts of body as readily. one spot to watch for is lungs.

          Best of luck, Paul

            • August 8, 2016 at 10:06 pm
            katek
            Participant

              Thanks, Paul. And congratulations on being NED! I have heard that DM is aggressive locally but not generally. My sentinel lymph nodes were clear, and a PET scan revealed no metastases in other parts of my body. Just in-transit in my face. 

              Best wishes,

              Kate

              • August 9, 2016 at 2:10 pm
              Casitas1
              Participant

                Good luck and keep us posted on how Radiation treatment goes.

                Best, Paul

                • August 9, 2016 at 2:10 pm
                Casitas1
                Participant

                  Good luck and keep us posted on how Radiation treatment goes.

                  Best, Paul

                  • August 9, 2016 at 2:10 pm
                  Casitas1
                  Participant

                    Good luck and keep us posted on how Radiation treatment goes.

                    Best, Paul

                    • August 8, 2016 at 10:06 pm
                    katek
                    Participant

                      Thanks, Paul. And congratulations on being NED! I have heard that DM is aggressive locally but not generally. My sentinel lymph nodes were clear, and a PET scan revealed no metastases in other parts of my body. Just in-transit in my face. 

                      Best wishes,

                      Kate

                      • August 8, 2016 at 10:06 pm
                      katek
                      Participant

                        Thanks, Paul. And congratulations on being NED! I have heard that DM is aggressive locally but not generally. My sentinel lymph nodes were clear, and a PET scan revealed no metastases in other parts of my body. Just in-transit in my face. 

                        Best wishes,

                        Kate

                      • August 8, 2016 at 2:46 am
                      Casitas1
                      Participant

                        Kate, I had Desmoplastic Neurotropic Melanoma of the lower lip. I am NED. As of last Wed. Many surgeries, Chemo, Immunotherapies. However, never had Radiation although i was offered it. My primary was 5.5mm. This melanoma is very aggressive locally but doesn't seem to spread to other parts of body as readily. one spot to watch for is lungs.

                        Best of luck, Paul

                        • August 8, 2016 at 2:46 am
                        Casitas1
                        Participant

                          Kate, I had Desmoplastic Neurotropic Melanoma of the lower lip. I am NED. As of last Wed. Many surgeries, Chemo, Immunotherapies. However, never had Radiation although i was offered it. My primary was 5.5mm. This melanoma is very aggressive locally but doesn't seem to spread to other parts of body as readily. one spot to watch for is lungs.

                          Best of luck, Paul

                      Viewing 2 reply threads

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