Stage 1b melanoma
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Stage 1b melanoma

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage 1b melanoma

  • Post
    • May 27, 2015 at 11:43 pm
    Mkelley1
    Participant

    Hi everyone.  I am a 30 year old male and I was recently diagnosed with stage 1b melanoma/ mitotic scale 2/ Clarke level 2/ no ulceration.  They did not do a SNLB because the mole was located in the upper center part of my back.  Anyways,  I feel like I want to do a SNLB but I don't know if it's possible since I am a month out of wide local excision.   Anyways, can they reopen me up and check the lymph nodes?  I would appreciate if anyone with a similar situation can put in their input.  Thanks- Mark

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • May 28, 2015 at 1:29 am
      Janner
      Participant

      The SLNB really should be done PRIOR to the WLE.  The WLE removes a large chunk of skin and may alter the lymphatic drainage paths.  The sentinel node prior to the WLE may no longer be the same node now.  It could be done, but the results would never be conclusive if the results were negative.  You don't state the depth of your lesion.

      • May 28, 2015 at 1:29 am
      Janner
      Participant

      The SLNB really should be done PRIOR to the WLE.  The WLE removes a large chunk of skin and may alter the lymphatic drainage paths.  The sentinel node prior to the WLE may no longer be the same node now.  It could be done, but the results would never be conclusive if the results were negative.  You don't state the depth of your lesion.

        • May 28, 2015 at 3:09 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Thanks Janet my depth is .63.  The docs told me that anything under .75 they don't want to do an SNLB.  However my mitosis was 2 which concerns me.  I don't really understand the whole mitosis thing I read about people saying they have a 5 or more and r doing fine.  Anways thanks for the response-mark

        • May 28, 2015 at 3:09 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Thanks Janet my depth is .63.  The docs told me that anything under .75 they don't want to do an SNLB.  However my mitosis was 2 which concerns me.  I don't really understand the whole mitosis thing I read about people saying they have a 5 or more and r doing fine.  Anways thanks for the response-mark

        • May 28, 2015 at 3:09 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Thanks Janet my depth is .63.  The docs told me that anything under .75 they don't want to do an SNLB.  However my mitosis was 2 which concerns me.  I don't really understand the whole mitosis thing I read about people saying they have a 5 or more and r doing fine.  Anways thanks for the response-mark

        • May 29, 2015 at 1:34 am
        liberty04281
        Participant
        If your depth is .63, you are stage 1a.
        • May 29, 2015 at 3:24 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Actually, that's not correct.  If he had a mitosis of <1, he would be stage 1a.  A mitosis of 2 makes this a stage 1b lesion.  The staging changed the end of 2010.  You are quoting the old staging criteria.  Stage 1a is a much more exclusive club, now.

        • May 29, 2015 at 10:23 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Janner, so I have been having a difficult time finding other people who are in a similar situation as me.  Meaning my same diagnosis, being a male, having it located on my back, etc.  is there anywhere I can find people with my same situation out there?  Any info would help- thank you

        • May 29, 2015 at 11:04 am
        JC
        Participant

        There should be general cancer support groups in your area. Check with the American Cancer Society in your area. There might be melanoma specific support groups as well. There are a few organizations that can link you up with someone else who has a similar cancer diagnosis. One organization that will connect you is Imerman Angels.

        http://www.imermanangels.org/

         

        MRF also has a phone buddy program:  http://www.melanoma.org/find-support/phone-buddy

        • May 29, 2015 at 11:04 am
        JC
        Participant

        There should be general cancer support groups in your area. Check with the American Cancer Society in your area. There might be melanoma specific support groups as well. There are a few organizations that can link you up with someone else who has a similar cancer diagnosis. One organization that will connect you is Imerman Angels.

        http://www.imermanangels.org/

         

        MRF also has a phone buddy program:  http://www.melanoma.org/find-support/phone-buddy

        • May 29, 2015 at 11:04 am
        JC
        Participant

        There should be general cancer support groups in your area. Check with the American Cancer Society in your area. There might be melanoma specific support groups as well. There are a few organizations that can link you up with someone else who has a similar cancer diagnosis. One organization that will connect you is Imerman Angels.

        http://www.imermanangels.org/

         

        MRF also has a phone buddy program:  http://www.melanoma.org/find-support/phone-buddy

        • May 29, 2015 at 10:23 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Janner, so I have been having a difficult time finding other people who are in a similar situation as me.  Meaning my same diagnosis, being a male, having it located on my back, etc.  is there anywhere I can find people with my same situation out there?  Any info would help- thank you

        • May 29, 2015 at 10:23 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Janner, so I have been having a difficult time finding other people who are in a similar situation as me.  Meaning my same diagnosis, being a male, having it located on my back, etc.  is there anywhere I can find people with my same situation out there?  Any info would help- thank you

        • May 29, 2015 at 3:24 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Actually, that's not correct.  If he had a mitosis of <1, he would be stage 1a.  A mitosis of 2 makes this a stage 1b lesion.  The staging changed the end of 2010.  You are quoting the old staging criteria.  Stage 1a is a much more exclusive club, now.

        • May 29, 2015 at 3:24 am
        Janner
        Participant

        Actually, that's not correct.  If he had a mitosis of <1, he would be stage 1a.  A mitosis of 2 makes this a stage 1b lesion.  The staging changed the end of 2010.  You are quoting the old staging criteria.  Stage 1a is a much more exclusive club, now.

        • May 29, 2015 at 1:34 am
        liberty04281
        Participant
        If your depth is .63, you are stage 1a.
        • May 29, 2015 at 1:34 am
        liberty04281
        Participant
        If your depth is .63, you are stage 1a.
        • May 30, 2015 at 10:36 pm
        Hollywood
        Participant

        I was diagnosed last week (1.8mm) with Melanoma – it was a mole in the dead center of my back as well. Due to size, they will be removing the lymph nodes in my armpits. I'm going to UCLA. Doc says it's only a 15-20 chance it spread so doing this as a precaution.

        I'm brand new to all this too – still in a bit of shock. Appreciate that there are so many people providing answers and insights!

        • June 1, 2015 at 8:25 pm
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        What doctor are u seeing at UCLA- I'm trying to get in there as well.  Hope your doing good and u will be fine.  Let me know or call me-  mark-619-388-9054

        • June 3, 2015 at 5:48 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        What is the deal with the current staging and prognosis for stage 1b melanoma.  A mitosis of greater than 1 separates it from stage 1a but I read that people have a mitosis of 2,3,4,5,6 and they bunch it all into one.  Is 2 mitosis better than 6?   They make it sound as though anything above 1 is a death sentence eventually.  Very confusing.  Also what percentage of stage 1b patients show a positive SNLB ?  The reason for this is my melanoma was .63 but a mitosis of 2 with no ulceration.  They decided not to do an SNLB.  I'm pretty upset about this cause I feel like it has left me staging limbo.  Any thoughts?

        • June 3, 2015 at 11:22 am
        yunielth
        Participant

        Hi!

        My sister had almost the same breslow depth that you, she had 0.6 mm clark III and mitosis < 1 mm2, she is stage 1a. What clark´s level you had? Where was your primary?  What upgrades you to stage 1b was the mitosis, because is greater than 1.

        Not sure why the doctors didn´t decide to do the SLNB, I think because the breslow depth, that is the most important thing! Mitosis is an adverse feature to take in count for staging and also to make the SLNB even for thin melanomas between 0.75mm and 1 mm. I know you are upset because of that, I was too when I knew that doctors didnt do the SLNB even when she had <1 mitosis, but then I understood it was the most reasonable, the changes to spread at that depth is low, but is not a guarantee even for smaller depth with  '0' mitosis. The SLNB for thin melanoma between 0.75 and 1 mm is recommended just under adverse features (clark IV, mitosis >= 1,ulceration,lymphovascular invasion).

        Just think possitive!

        Best regards,

        Yuni

        • June 3, 2015 at 2:04 pm
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Yuni.  My primary was located in left side of spine of my upper back.  My Clarke level was level 2, no ulceration, mitosis 2, depth .63.  I'm being positive but I feel the doctors dropped the ball on this one

        • June 4, 2015 at 2:58 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Janer, I know u had three primaries back in 1992.  My question is what was your mitosis for each area as well as depth and location.  Thank u for your time

        • June 4, 2015 at 2:58 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Janer, I know u had three primaries back in 1992.  My question is what was your mitosis for each area as well as depth and location.  Thank u for your time

        • June 4, 2015 at 2:58 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Janer, I know u had three primaries back in 1992.  My question is what was your mitosis for each area as well as depth and location.  Thank u for your time

        • June 3, 2015 at 2:04 pm
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Yuni.  My primary was located in left side of spine of my upper back.  My Clarke level was level 2, no ulceration, mitosis 2, depth .63.  I'm being positive but I feel the doctors dropped the ball on this one

        • June 3, 2015 at 2:04 pm
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        Thanks for the response Yuni.  My primary was located in left side of spine of my upper back.  My Clarke level was level 2, no ulceration, mitosis 2, depth .63.  I'm being positive but I feel the doctors dropped the ball on this one

        • June 3, 2015 at 11:22 am
        yunielth
        Participant

        Hi!

        My sister had almost the same breslow depth that you, she had 0.6 mm clark III and mitosis < 1 mm2, she is stage 1a. What clark´s level you had? Where was your primary?  What upgrades you to stage 1b was the mitosis, because is greater than 1.

        Not sure why the doctors didn´t decide to do the SLNB, I think because the breslow depth, that is the most important thing! Mitosis is an adverse feature to take in count for staging and also to make the SLNB even for thin melanomas between 0.75mm and 1 mm. I know you are upset because of that, I was too when I knew that doctors didnt do the SLNB even when she had <1 mitosis, but then I understood it was the most reasonable, the changes to spread at that depth is low, but is not a guarantee even for smaller depth with  '0' mitosis. The SLNB for thin melanoma between 0.75 and 1 mm is recommended just under adverse features (clark IV, mitosis >= 1,ulceration,lymphovascular invasion).

        Just think possitive!

        Best regards,

        Yuni

        • June 3, 2015 at 11:22 am
        yunielth
        Participant

        Hi!

        My sister had almost the same breslow depth that you, she had 0.6 mm clark III and mitosis < 1 mm2, she is stage 1a. What clark´s level you had? Where was your primary?  What upgrades you to stage 1b was the mitosis, because is greater than 1.

        Not sure why the doctors didn´t decide to do the SLNB, I think because the breslow depth, that is the most important thing! Mitosis is an adverse feature to take in count for staging and also to make the SLNB even for thin melanomas between 0.75mm and 1 mm. I know you are upset because of that, I was too when I knew that doctors didnt do the SLNB even when she had <1 mitosis, but then I understood it was the most reasonable, the changes to spread at that depth is low, but is not a guarantee even for smaller depth with  '0' mitosis. The SLNB for thin melanoma between 0.75 and 1 mm is recommended just under adverse features (clark IV, mitosis >= 1,ulceration,lymphovascular invasion).

        Just think possitive!

        Best regards,

        Yuni

        • June 3, 2015 at 5:48 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        What is the deal with the current staging and prognosis for stage 1b melanoma.  A mitosis of greater than 1 separates it from stage 1a but I read that people have a mitosis of 2,3,4,5,6 and they bunch it all into one.  Is 2 mitosis better than 6?   They make it sound as though anything above 1 is a death sentence eventually.  Very confusing.  Also what percentage of stage 1b patients show a positive SNLB ?  The reason for this is my melanoma was .63 but a mitosis of 2 with no ulceration.  They decided not to do an SNLB.  I'm pretty upset about this cause I feel like it has left me staging limbo.  Any thoughts?

        • June 3, 2015 at 5:48 am
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        What is the deal with the current staging and prognosis for stage 1b melanoma.  A mitosis of greater than 1 separates it from stage 1a but I read that people have a mitosis of 2,3,4,5,6 and they bunch it all into one.  Is 2 mitosis better than 6?   They make it sound as though anything above 1 is a death sentence eventually.  Very confusing.  Also what percentage of stage 1b patients show a positive SNLB ?  The reason for this is my melanoma was .63 but a mitosis of 2 with no ulceration.  They decided not to do an SNLB.  I'm pretty upset about this cause I feel like it has left me staging limbo.  Any thoughts?

        • June 1, 2015 at 8:25 pm
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        What doctor are u seeing at UCLA- I'm trying to get in there as well.  Hope your doing good and u will be fine.  Let me know or call me-  mark-619-388-9054

        • June 1, 2015 at 8:25 pm
        Mkelley1
        Participant

        What doctor are u seeing at UCLA- I'm trying to get in there as well.  Hope your doing good and u will be fine.  Let me know or call me-  mark-619-388-9054

        • May 30, 2015 at 10:36 pm
        Hollywood
        Participant

        I was diagnosed last week (1.8mm) with Melanoma – it was a mole in the dead center of my back as well. Due to size, they will be removing the lymph nodes in my armpits. I'm going to UCLA. Doc says it's only a 15-20 chance it spread so doing this as a precaution.

        I'm brand new to all this too – still in a bit of shock. Appreciate that there are so many people providing answers and insights!

        • May 30, 2015 at 10:36 pm
        Hollywood
        Participant

        I was diagnosed last week (1.8mm) with Melanoma – it was a mole in the dead center of my back as well. Due to size, they will be removing the lymph nodes in my armpits. I'm going to UCLA. Doc says it's only a 15-20 chance it spread so doing this as a precaution.

        I'm brand new to all this too – still in a bit of shock. Appreciate that there are so many people providing answers and insights!

      • May 28, 2015 at 1:29 am
      Janner
      Participant

      The SLNB really should be done PRIOR to the WLE.  The WLE removes a large chunk of skin and may alter the lymphatic drainage paths.  The sentinel node prior to the WLE may no longer be the same node now.  It could be done, but the results would never be conclusive if the results were negative.  You don't state the depth of your lesion.

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