› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Second Post: Stage 3 following full node removal
- This topic has 24 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 4 months ago by gregor913.
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- November 24, 2015 at 1:15 am
I'm not really sure if I'm stage 3a, 3b or 3c. Based on the results I received today, I would assume 3a.
So I went through full node removal in my neck and underarm on my right side. The surgery took place Friday, November 13 and I received biopsy results today. They removed a total of 59 nodes from those areas and every one came back negative for cancer, which I'm very thankful for.
I'm very numb from the top of my ear down to the top part of my rib cage and trying to gain strength and range of motion back in my arm and turning my head. Other than the numbness and drainage (I have a drain tube), no significant side effects from the surgery. I'm assuming the numbness will dissipate over the months ahead.
We are still trying to determine whether or not to pursue further treatment, although I think I've ruled out interferon. I may try to find a clinical or observe from here on out. We'll see. Anyway very thankful for the good news today and while it could be said that the node removal was unnecessary (in hindsight), you just make the best decision possible with the information you have and don't look back.
Any thoughts on clinicals versus observation is appreciated. I'd like to focus on treatments that build my body and immune system, not break it down further.
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- November 24, 2015 at 3:16 am
I rarely come to the forum – maybe once or twice a year, but your post right at the top caught my attention. My husband was dx stage 3a in 2002 and at the time, options were limited to observation (which was PET every 3 months for the first 2 years, every 6 months until year 5 and then every year after) or interferon. Again, at the time, the doctors said interferon might give a small delay in recurrance, but they certainly didn't talk it up. He chose observation and has remained cancer free. He stopped getting scans at year 11 (they had switched to CT at year 6 or so – new oncologist, new plan).
He felt strongly that the surgery removed the cancer. I don't know what else is out there for stage 3.
Best of luck to you in making your decision.
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- November 24, 2015 at 3:16 am
I rarely come to the forum – maybe once or twice a year, but your post right at the top caught my attention. My husband was dx stage 3a in 2002 and at the time, options were limited to observation (which was PET every 3 months for the first 2 years, every 6 months until year 5 and then every year after) or interferon. Again, at the time, the doctors said interferon might give a small delay in recurrance, but they certainly didn't talk it up. He chose observation and has remained cancer free. He stopped getting scans at year 11 (they had switched to CT at year 6 or so – new oncologist, new plan).
He felt strongly that the surgery removed the cancer. I don't know what else is out there for stage 3.
Best of luck to you in making your decision.
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- November 24, 2015 at 3:16 am
I rarely come to the forum – maybe once or twice a year, but your post right at the top caught my attention. My husband was dx stage 3a in 2002 and at the time, options were limited to observation (which was PET every 3 months for the first 2 years, every 6 months until year 5 and then every year after) or interferon. Again, at the time, the doctors said interferon might give a small delay in recurrance, but they certainly didn't talk it up. He chose observation and has remained cancer free. He stopped getting scans at year 11 (they had switched to CT at year 6 or so – new oncologist, new plan).
He felt strongly that the surgery removed the cancer. I don't know what else is out there for stage 3.
Best of luck to you in making your decision.
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- November 24, 2015 at 1:55 pm
I am stage 3a, had my first surgery in Sept of 2015 and had to go back for more to remove my lymph node and that surgery was done In Oct of 2015. They remove 17 and one came back positive, just had my drainage bag removed a few weeks ago and I had chosen to see an Oconolgist closer to home, well he pretty much said he refuse to put me on Interefon and feels that I should be on clinical so I am going back to U of M to see Dr. Fecher and go from there.. Mine cancer was on my back, however I a still dealing with numbness under my arm.
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- November 24, 2015 at 11:47 pm
Melissa, it sounds like your a month ahead of me as far as the lymph node removal goes. Have seen any improvement in the numbness since the surgery was done? Do you have full range of motion back? I still don't have all my stitches out, but trying to work my arm as much as possible. I don't mind the drain tube, as it keeps the swelling down, but it is beginning to wear out it's welcome too.
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- November 25, 2015 at 12:33 am
I am still numb under my arm, at times I do get some swollen. My compression sleeve won't be in for another week, had problem with the insurance.. I can move my arm around good, but I can't reach very well, it seems to still hurt. I guess it all part of healing. The drain tube was a pain for me.. I was so uncomfortable.
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- November 25, 2015 at 12:33 am
I am still numb under my arm, at times I do get some swollen. My compression sleeve won't be in for another week, had problem with the insurance.. I can move my arm around good, but I can't reach very well, it seems to still hurt. I guess it all part of healing. The drain tube was a pain for me.. I was so uncomfortable.
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- November 25, 2015 at 12:33 am
I am still numb under my arm, at times I do get some swollen. My compression sleeve won't be in for another week, had problem with the insurance.. I can move my arm around good, but I can't reach very well, it seems to still hurt. I guess it all part of healing. The drain tube was a pain for me.. I was so uncomfortable.
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- November 25, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Compression sleeve: Was that a precautionary measure or did you get swelling in your arm? How soon did that start? Is that something that will be permanent for you or do they expect it to get better and be able to do away with the compression sleeve?
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- November 25, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Compression sleeve: Was that a precautionary measure or did you get swelling in your arm? How soon did that start? Is that something that will be permanent for you or do they expect it to get better and be able to do away with the compression sleeve?
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- November 26, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Hello, I am also 3b. Just dx Nov 2015. Back Mel with microscopic amounts found in sentinol node (x1). My pet results just came back and finally got some good news. He said there was no sign of cancer in the scan so it was negative. A Lil thanksgiving pick me up. Next step is having my surgery to have lymph nodes removed in armpit. Levels 1 2 and 3. After my doc wants to talk treatment options. I’m hoping this disease never comes back. Just want to enjoy today with wife and daughter and stop thinking bout melanoma.
Greg -
- November 26, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Hello, I am also 3b. Just dx Nov 2015. Back Mel with microscopic amounts found in sentinol node (x1). My pet results just came back and finally got some good news. He said there was no sign of cancer in the scan so it was negative. A Lil thanksgiving pick me up. Next step is having my surgery to have lymph nodes removed in armpit. Levels 1 2 and 3. After my doc wants to talk treatment options. I’m hoping this disease never comes back. Just want to enjoy today with wife and daughter and stop thinking bout melanoma.
Greg -
- November 26, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Hello, I am also 3b. Just dx Nov 2015. Back Mel with microscopic amounts found in sentinol node (x1). My pet results just came back and finally got some good news. He said there was no sign of cancer in the scan so it was negative. A Lil thanksgiving pick me up. Next step is having my surgery to have lymph nodes removed in armpit. Levels 1 2 and 3. After my doc wants to talk treatment options. I’m hoping this disease never comes back. Just want to enjoy today with wife and daughter and stop thinking bout melanoma.
Greg -
- November 25, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Compression sleeve: Was that a precautionary measure or did you get swelling in your arm? How soon did that start? Is that something that will be permanent for you or do they expect it to get better and be able to do away with the compression sleeve?
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- November 24, 2015 at 11:47 pm
Melissa, it sounds like your a month ahead of me as far as the lymph node removal goes. Have seen any improvement in the numbness since the surgery was done? Do you have full range of motion back? I still don't have all my stitches out, but trying to work my arm as much as possible. I don't mind the drain tube, as it keeps the swelling down, but it is beginning to wear out it's welcome too.
-
- November 24, 2015 at 11:47 pm
Melissa, it sounds like your a month ahead of me as far as the lymph node removal goes. Have seen any improvement in the numbness since the surgery was done? Do you have full range of motion back? I still don't have all my stitches out, but trying to work my arm as much as possible. I don't mind the drain tube, as it keeps the swelling down, but it is beginning to wear out it's welcome too.
-
- November 24, 2015 at 1:55 pm
I am stage 3a, had my first surgery in Sept of 2015 and had to go back for more to remove my lymph node and that surgery was done In Oct of 2015. They remove 17 and one came back positive, just had my drainage bag removed a few weeks ago and I had chosen to see an Oconolgist closer to home, well he pretty much said he refuse to put me on Interefon and feels that I should be on clinical so I am going back to U of M to see Dr. Fecher and go from there.. Mine cancer was on my back, however I a still dealing with numbness under my arm.
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- November 24, 2015 at 1:55 pm
I am stage 3a, had my first surgery in Sept of 2015 and had to go back for more to remove my lymph node and that surgery was done In Oct of 2015. They remove 17 and one came back positive, just had my drainage bag removed a few weeks ago and I had chosen to see an Oconolgist closer to home, well he pretty much said he refuse to put me on Interefon and feels that I should be on clinical so I am going back to U of M to see Dr. Fecher and go from there.. Mine cancer was on my back, however I a still dealing with numbness under my arm.
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- November 24, 2015 at 10:02 pm
Yervoy has been approved as a treatment for Stage 3 and may be something to consider. Clinical trial showed a 25% decrease in recurrences in Stage 3 patients versus placebo. There is some fairly substantial side effect risk with Yervoy. Not sure what the melanoma experts attitude regarding Yervoy for Stage 3 would be, but it wouldn't surprise me if some were reluctant to prescribe it, similar to the reluctance with Interferon.
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- November 24, 2015 at 10:02 pm
Yervoy has been approved as a treatment for Stage 3 and may be something to consider. Clinical trial showed a 25% decrease in recurrences in Stage 3 patients versus placebo. There is some fairly substantial side effect risk with Yervoy. Not sure what the melanoma experts attitude regarding Yervoy for Stage 3 would be, but it wouldn't surprise me if some were reluctant to prescribe it, similar to the reluctance with Interferon.
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- November 24, 2015 at 10:02 pm
Yervoy has been approved as a treatment for Stage 3 and may be something to consider. Clinical trial showed a 25% decrease in recurrences in Stage 3 patients versus placebo. There is some fairly substantial side effect risk with Yervoy. Not sure what the melanoma experts attitude regarding Yervoy for Stage 3 would be, but it wouldn't surprise me if some were reluctant to prescribe it, similar to the reluctance with Interferon.
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