Stage 1B – Curious about what follow up tests others at same stage have had?

I do not know what your father went through specifically, and what stage and age he was when diagnosed, but in light of what your father has gone through since, I do understand your concerns. But, that does not mean you will ever have the same result and progress to stage four. At stage one and 2.5 years out from diagnosis, you should be happy you are this far out from diagnosis, and that you are doing all you can. At stage one, there really is not much more you can do other than watching yourself for "change" and keeping up on derm visits and node checks. Even palpating your nodes too often is not a good idea as they will become sore and you may think the melanoma has returned. Blood work and chest x-ray will not show anything at your early stage. Actually, blood work is notorious for false positives and negatives, and x-rays have “thingy’s” that show quite often such as scarring or damage from a recent illness.

Again, you should congratulate yourself for catching this so early. Perhaps seeing a counselor may be to your benefit as well to ease your mind.

Also, has your father been tested for the BRAF mutation? It may buy him some time.

Good luck to both you and your father.

Michael 1b as well- three years out with no x-rays or blood work.

I do not know what your father went through specifically, and what stage and age he was when diagnosed, but in light of what your father has gone through since, I do understand your concerns. But, that does not mean you will ever have the same result and progress to stage four. At stage one and 2.5 years out from diagnosis, you should be happy you are this far out from diagnosis, and that you are doing all you can. At stage one, there really is not much more you can do other than watching yourself for "change" and keeping up on derm visits and node checks. Even palpating your nodes too often is not a good idea as they will become sore and you may think the melanoma has returned. Blood work and chest x-ray will not show anything at your early stage. Actually, blood work is notorious for false positives and negatives, and x-rays have “thingy’s” that show quite often such as scarring or damage from a recent illness.

Again, you should congratulate yourself for catching this so early. Perhaps seeing a counselor may be to your benefit as well to ease your mind.

Also, has your father been tested for the BRAF mutation? It may buy him some time.

Good luck to both you and your father.

Michael 1b as well- three years out with no x-rays or blood work.

It sounds like you are getting above average followup for stage IB.  I've had a baseline chest X-Ray (many years ago) and bloodwork done once.  Since bloodwork really is limited in looking for recurrent melanoma, I don't see the point.  In general, melanoma typically travels to the nearest lymph node basin so chest x-rays are of limited value to most because it usually shows up elsewhere first.  (I know this isn't how it presented in your father, but statistically, this is the case). 

It's true you don't have enough family members to participate in genetic testing.  They don't consider 2 enough to be a trend especially when you likely shared the same sun habits, etc., and environment.  I was told AT LEAST 3 family members in multiple generations and they prefer 4 to even start looking.  I have been tested and am positive.  I am adopted so have no known family history, but I've had 3 primary melanoma which can also be an indication of a genetic defect.  I was told > 2 melanomas indicates higher risk.

You are really having followup care above and beyond most stage IB.  Scans aren't done at this stage because they have lots of radiation, lots of false positives (you see something, you have to check it out – but it is rarely any type of malignancy) and scans are expensive.  Statistically (again, I know), scans haven't been shown to improve survival rates either.  I have been stage IB for 19 years and am currently seen every 6 months for a body check.  The 6 month frequency is based on my multiple primaries, otherwise I'd be seen yearly at this point.

While it is easy to compare yourself to your father, it's best not to go there.  Each person is unique and even people with very similar melanomas may fair differently.  You didn't indicate the depth of your lesions (or your father's depth either) which is the most important factor for your prognosis.    Melanoma can come back at any time, but the first two years are when you are at highest risk – and you've passed that milestone.  As each year passes, your odds improve.

Best wishes,

Janner

Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

It sounds like you are getting above average followup for stage IB.  I've had a baseline chest X-Ray (many years ago) and bloodwork done once.  Since bloodwork really is limited in looking for recurrent melanoma, I don't see the point.  In general, melanoma typically travels to the nearest lymph node basin so chest x-rays are of limited value to most because it usually shows up elsewhere first.  (I know this isn't how it presented in your father, but statistically, this is the case). 

It's true you don't have enough family members to participate in genetic testing.  They don't consider 2 enough to be a trend especially when you likely shared the same sun habits, etc., and environment.  I was told AT LEAST 3 family members in multiple generations and they prefer 4 to even start looking.  I have been tested and am positive.  I am adopted so have no known family history, but I've had 3 primary melanoma which can also be an indication of a genetic defect.  I was told > 2 melanomas indicates higher risk.

You are really having followup care above and beyond most stage IB.  Scans aren't done at this stage because they have lots of radiation, lots of false positives (you see something, you have to check it out – but it is rarely any type of malignancy) and scans are expensive.  Statistically (again, I know), scans haven't been shown to improve survival rates either.  I have been stage IB for 19 years and am currently seen every 6 months for a body check.  The 6 month frequency is based on my multiple primaries, otherwise I'd be seen yearly at this point.

While it is easy to compare yourself to your father, it's best not to go there.  Each person is unique and even people with very similar melanomas may fair differently.  You didn't indicate the depth of your lesions (or your father's depth either) which is the most important factor for your prognosis.    Melanoma can come back at any time, but the first two years are when you are at highest risk – and you've passed that milestone.  As each year passes, your odds improve.

Best wishes,

Janner

Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

First of all, I am very sorry about your father. I hope he finds a treatment that beats the cancer back.

I can certainly relate to the desire to be proactive. I am also Stage 1B. As other people have recently told me, though, there is only so much you can do to take control of your fate with melanoma. Regular, very thorough skin exams by a good doctor and self-exams are the most important things. I don't know how helpful the x-rays and the bloodwork is for melanoma, but at a minimum they probably give you some peace of mind. Beyond that, excercise, healthy diet, vitamins and supplements… There are some good books out there that provide a health regimen that people swear by. You might find that following one of them gives you the proactive activity that you need.

I think the evidence that melanoma runs in families is inconclusive. What does Dr. Zook say about it?  Anyway, I don't think you should feel locked in to your father's fate. For one thing, how deep was your father's lesion? Deeper than yours? That's far more determative than family relation. Also, your father is dealing with melanoma at a later age than you are. In every study I've read, age is a big factor in outcome. Of course, some day you'll be your father's age, but by then treatments will likely be far more advanced in case you do get a recurance. I think you should get into the exercise and health food thing, if you haven't already. That's the extent of what you can do.

It feels strange giving out advise that I badly need myself. Kind of therapeutic, too. Best of luck to you and your father!

Steve  

First of all, I am very sorry about your father. I hope he finds a treatment that beats the cancer back.

I can certainly relate to the desire to be proactive. I am also Stage 1B. As other people have recently told me, though, there is only so much you can do to take control of your fate with melanoma. Regular, very thorough skin exams by a good doctor and self-exams are the most important things. I don't know how helpful the x-rays and the bloodwork is for melanoma, but at a minimum they probably give you some peace of mind. Beyond that, excercise, healthy diet, vitamins and supplements… There are some good books out there that provide a health regimen that people swear by. You might find that following one of them gives you the proactive activity that you need.

I think the evidence that melanoma runs in families is inconclusive. What does Dr. Zook say about it?  Anyway, I don't think you should feel locked in to your father's fate. For one thing, how deep was your father's lesion? Deeper than yours? That's far more determative than family relation. Also, your father is dealing with melanoma at a later age than you are. In every study I've read, age is a big factor in outcome. Of course, some day you'll be your father's age, but by then treatments will likely be far more advanced in case you do get a recurance. I think you should get into the exercise and health food thing, if you haven't already. That's the extent of what you can do.

It feels strange giving out advise that I badly need myself. Kind of therapeutic, too. Best of luck to you and your father!

Steve