Recently diagnosed, told not to panic
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Recently diagnosed, told not to panic

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Recently diagnosed, told not to panic

  • Post
    • September 16, 2013 at 6:35 pm
    oborrow
    Participant

    Good afternoon, I received my pathology report on 8/26/13 and was instantly seen again for removal of a melanoma in-situ. They told me not to panic and that is was all good but I would expect 3 month follow ups for 2 years. I am concerned because everyone around me tells me it's not a big deal but I read words within my report that unnerves me plus the re-excision was quite large (5mm). This is what I had, please let me know (opinons of course) on if I should be concerned or just consider it all taken care of…. " 2mm dark brown macule found to be malignant melanoma. 2x2x1 area of skin initially removed for study. atrophic epidermis with flattened rete, increased number of melanconsytes at the base of epidermis. Tehre is 'buckshot scatter' of these cells into the upper epidermis. The melanocytes course down the hair follicles. There is no dermal invasion but marked solar elastosi. There is a scattered lymphoid infiltrate….. " So they took 5mm the other day in the area.

    From what I've read, that seems to be quite a bit for a 2mm, no staged melanoma in-situ. Any feedback?

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  • Replies
      • September 17, 2013 at 5:56 am
      Janner
      Participant
      Actually, it sounds perfectly normal for stage 0 melanoma in situ. 5mm margins are standard for in situ – it doesn’t matter how big or small the initial lesion is. 5mm margins are what I would demand. The best treatment for melanoma is surgery so the margins are preventative medicine. Should you worry? Probably not. Most likely the surgery took care of everything. But watch the scar area for any pigment regrowth. Watch your other moles for change. Practice sun safety. Be vigilant, not paranoid.
        • October 23, 2014 at 8:51 pm
        tsykes1
        Participant

        Hello Janner 

        i am newly diagnosed also with stage 0 in situ,  it is October 2014 and I have had  2 follow ups and all good 

        except in July she said I could go until January feeling very nervous because it is 6 months . They did a shave biopsy all I know is the report says :Histologic sections demonstrate contiguous growth of nested and single atypical melanocytes with clef ting and upward migration ,, there is subjacent dermal fibrosis and pigment incontinence , however , diagnostic invasive melanoma is not identified…   What does this mean….? 

        Janner you seem very knowledgable about all this , and frankly I am scared and no one told me I need to be checking my lymph nodes … Please advise thanks Terri 

        • October 23, 2014 at 8:51 pm
        tsykes1
        Participant

        Hello Janner 

        i am newly diagnosed also with stage 0 in situ,  it is October 2014 and I have had  2 follow ups and all good 

        except in July she said I could go until January feeling very nervous because it is 6 months . They did a shave biopsy all I know is the report says :Histologic sections demonstrate contiguous growth of nested and single atypical melanocytes with clef ting and upward migration ,, there is subjacent dermal fibrosis and pigment incontinence , however , diagnostic invasive melanoma is not identified…   What does this mean….? 

        Janner you seem very knowledgable about all this , and frankly I am scared and no one told me I need to be checking my lymph nodes … Please advise thanks Terri 

        • October 23, 2014 at 8:51 pm
        tsykes1
        Participant

        Hello Janner 

        i am newly diagnosed also with stage 0 in situ,  it is October 2014 and I have had  2 follow ups and all good 

        except in July she said I could go until January feeling very nervous because it is 6 months . They did a shave biopsy all I know is the report says :Histologic sections demonstrate contiguous growth of nested and single atypical melanocytes with clef ting and upward migration ,, there is subjacent dermal fibrosis and pigment incontinence , however , diagnostic invasive melanoma is not identified…   What does this mean….? 

        Janner you seem very knowledgable about all this , and frankly I am scared and no one told me I need to be checking my lymph nodes … Please advise thanks Terri 

      • September 17, 2013 at 5:56 am
      Janner
      Participant
      Actually, it sounds perfectly normal for stage 0 melanoma in situ. 5mm margins are standard for in situ – it doesn’t matter how big or small the initial lesion is. 5mm margins are what I would demand. The best treatment for melanoma is surgery so the margins are preventative medicine. Should you worry? Probably not. Most likely the surgery took care of everything. But watch the scar area for any pigment regrowth. Watch your other moles for change. Practice sun safety. Be vigilant, not paranoid.
      • September 17, 2013 at 5:56 am
      Janner
      Participant
      Actually, it sounds perfectly normal for stage 0 melanoma in situ. 5mm margins are standard for in situ – it doesn’t matter how big or small the initial lesion is. 5mm margins are what I would demand. The best treatment for melanoma is surgery so the margins are preventative medicine. Should you worry? Probably not. Most likely the surgery took care of everything. But watch the scar area for any pigment regrowth. Watch your other moles for change. Practice sun safety. Be vigilant, not paranoid.
      • September 17, 2013 at 11:52 am
      POW
      Participant

      Janner is really, really good at interpreting pathology reports. I trust her judgement and agree with her. Your doctor was very prompt about doing the right thing. Praise your doctor and consider yourself lucky that it was caught so early. 

      • September 17, 2013 at 11:52 am
      POW
      Participant

      Janner is really, really good at interpreting pathology reports. I trust her judgement and agree with her. Your doctor was very prompt about doing the right thing. Praise your doctor and consider yourself lucky that it was caught so early. 

      • September 17, 2013 at 11:52 am
      POW
      Participant

      Janner is really, really good at interpreting pathology reports. I trust her judgement and agree with her. Your doctor was very prompt about doing the right thing. Praise your doctor and consider yourself lucky that it was caught so early. 

      • September 18, 2013 at 8:50 pm
      HopefulOne
      Participant

      Hi there – my only advice would be to continue to follow-up beyond the two years … not even three months … but annually? Every five years? I would just be diligent – and remember you are your best advocate. Good luck! Kimberly

      • September 18, 2013 at 8:50 pm
      HopefulOne
      Participant

      Hi there – my only advice would be to continue to follow-up beyond the two years … not even three months … but annually? Every five years? I would just be diligent – and remember you are your best advocate. Good luck! Kimberly

      • September 18, 2013 at 8:50 pm
      HopefulOne
      Participant

      Hi there – my only advice would be to continue to follow-up beyond the two years … not even three months … but annually? Every five years? I would just be diligent – and remember you are your best advocate. Good luck! Kimberly

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