Stage 0 to positive lymph node in 4 months
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Stage 0 to positive lymph node in 4 months

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage 0 to positive lymph node in 4 months

  • Post
    • April 8, 2016 at 5:18 pm
    Mamapegela
    Participant

    Hi.  I am a 57 year old active healthy (was!)  individual.  I had a very thin (.35mm) melanoma removed from my neck by wide excision in Nov. 2015.  Because of the thinness no further treatment except skin checks were recommended.  Fast forward to March of this year: I noticed an enlarged lymph node near the excision site and watched it for about a month before calling my dermtologist.  She was concerned enough to refer me to a sugeon but said it was most likely not melanoma.  Unfortunately, it was.  I am now awaiting scans and have been referred to the Melanoma Clinic at the University of Michigan but won't see them for 3 weeks. 

    Naturally, I am pretty concerned.  Does anyone else have a history of this kind of quick progression from a small lesion?  I have been reassured by the melanoma clinic nurse that 3 weeks wait will not change anything, but it seems like a long time! 

    I've been reading other's stories- an am glad there is a place for us to meet and talk.

    Thank you!

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • April 8, 2016 at 5:36 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Just for clarification, your original lesion was stage I, not stage 0.  If any depth is listed, it is stage I.  Just clarifying for future readers.

      I can't comment on the quickness only to say yes, it is unusual for a lesion your size to spread, and yes it is unusual for it to happen that quickly.  Lucky you (being sarcastic here).  The waiting part is the worst.  In a strange way, it almost seems "local" because the primary and neck nodes are so close, it probably hasn't had a chance to really go other places.  Sorry you had to join our club here but it's a good place to ask questions.  Good luck!

       

      • April 8, 2016 at 5:36 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Just for clarification, your original lesion was stage I, not stage 0.  If any depth is listed, it is stage I.  Just clarifying for future readers.

      I can't comment on the quickness only to say yes, it is unusual for a lesion your size to spread, and yes it is unusual for it to happen that quickly.  Lucky you (being sarcastic here).  The waiting part is the worst.  In a strange way, it almost seems "local" because the primary and neck nodes are so close, it probably hasn't had a chance to really go other places.  Sorry you had to join our club here but it's a good place to ask questions.  Good luck!

       

        • April 8, 2016 at 9:49 pm
        Mamapegela
        Participant

        Thanks for correcting me- I guess stage 0 would be no melanoma at all! I have a lot to learn.  The lymph node  was about 1.5 inches from the original melanoma.  I'm confused and of course frightened. Thanks for your feedback.

        • April 8, 2016 at 9:49 pm
        Mamapegela
        Participant

        Thanks for correcting me- I guess stage 0 would be no melanoma at all! I have a lot to learn.  The lymph node  was about 1.5 inches from the original melanoma.  I'm confused and of course frightened. Thanks for your feedback.

        • April 9, 2016 at 1:26 am
        Janner
        Participant

        There actually is a stage 0.  It is called 'in situ'.  It means that the melanoma is confined to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The melanoma is growing radially, outward on the skin surface.  It typically goes thru this phase before it penetrates the dermis and starts growing vertically.  

        The confused and frightened part is par for the course.  It will be a little easier when you have a plan.  Waiting limbo is tough.

        • April 9, 2016 at 1:26 am
        Janner
        Participant

        There actually is a stage 0.  It is called 'in situ'.  It means that the melanoma is confined to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The melanoma is growing radially, outward on the skin surface.  It typically goes thru this phase before it penetrates the dermis and starts growing vertically.  

        The confused and frightened part is par for the course.  It will be a little easier when you have a plan.  Waiting limbo is tough.

        • April 9, 2016 at 1:26 am
        Janner
        Participant

        There actually is a stage 0.  It is called 'in situ'.  It means that the melanoma is confined to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The melanoma is growing radially, outward on the skin surface.  It typically goes thru this phase before it penetrates the dermis and starts growing vertically.  

        The confused and frightened part is par for the course.  It will be a little easier when you have a plan.  Waiting limbo is tough.

        • April 8, 2016 at 9:49 pm
        Mamapegela
        Participant

        Thanks for correcting me- I guess stage 0 would be no melanoma at all! I have a lot to learn.  The lymph node  was about 1.5 inches from the original melanoma.  I'm confused and of course frightened. Thanks for your feedback.

      • April 8, 2016 at 5:36 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      Just for clarification, your original lesion was stage I, not stage 0.  If any depth is listed, it is stage I.  Just clarifying for future readers.

      I can't comment on the quickness only to say yes, it is unusual for a lesion your size to spread, and yes it is unusual for it to happen that quickly.  Lucky you (being sarcastic here).  The waiting part is the worst.  In a strange way, it almost seems "local" because the primary and neck nodes are so close, it probably hasn't had a chance to really go other places.  Sorry you had to join our club here but it's a good place to ask questions.  Good luck!

       

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

Popular Topics