› Forums › General Melanoma Community › stage 3a with 1 node involvement /very little in that node will it spread ?
- This topic has 33 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by
Rosegargala.
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- September 1, 2015 at 1:08 pm
I was contacted yesterday to confirm my node involvment . They said it was so tiny in my setinal node that it could only be seen under a microscope and then it was still a really small amount . My question is , do all stage 3a superficial spreading melanomas move to other parts of the body? Mine grew from under a mole that was already there! So now I worry that it may of had nodule melanoma in it too but have never been told that. Thanks for your replies in advance !
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- September 1, 2015 at 1:55 pm
Take a deep breath! ET and I aren't much farther ahead of you, and I know how much your head is spinning. (ET just went through surgery and by some miracle didn't have any lymph node involvement that they could find. She's stage IIb.)
In answer to your question, NO. Not all stage IIIa superficial spreading melanomas move to other parts of the body. The fact that it made it to a lymph node increases the chance, but that does not mean it will metastasize elsewhere. However, make no mistake: You are definitely at risk.
Your lymph nodes are like little filters. They catch cells and cellular debris, which are ordinarily destroyed by your your immune system. Only clear filtrate progresses from the node back to your circulatory system — normally. The danger is when the melanoma grows and compromises the structure of your lymph node, in which case it can throw cells into the outbound fluids headed back to your circulatory system. But it doesn't sound like you had that level of disease in the sentinel node.
Your treatment options are similar to ET's at this point. The only FDA-approved treatment at your stage is interferon. ET has the same option. She has decided she probably doesn't want to do this, because she feels the small benefits don't justify the loss of her quality of life for a year. I can't blame her.
And there are clinical trials. There may be more available to you than to ET. ET is currently considering 3 vaccine trials. Vaccines are of very limited benefit too, but at least they don't diminish quality of life.
You can search for clinical trials at cancer.gov and clinicaltrials.gov.
If you're not under the care of a melanoma oncologist, find one! This is the advice everyone gives, and I think it's absolutely spot-on. We've been dealing with a lot of very good/smart physicians locally, but melanoma research is advancing so rapidly only a melanoma specialist would be experienced with some ground-breaking treatments only available in the past year or three. It is clear that the physicians who have been treating ET aren't knowledgeable about these cutting edge treatments. I'm pretty certain I now know know more about melanoma treatment than they do. We are scheduled at a melanoma center Wednesday next and are expecting a different level of care than ET has received so far.
You also need to study the options you have. Your oncologist may not have the same perspectives and treatment goals that you do. The more you know, the more you can advocate for yourself.
Good luck! I so wish we had no reason to be on this list!
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- September 1, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Thanks so much for your quick response. I too chose not to do the immune therapy! it didn't grow outside the node or even on the wall of the node. it was just a .5 mm invasion and not all of them were melanoma cells, just a small focus was positive. I am to see my oncologist once a year (per OSU suggestion) and my dermatologist every 3 months. I had a 3rd opinion from OSU regaurding my path report and their pathologist said that they won't rule out that it was melanoma because they would rather be safe than sorry. I was also told by a wonderful nurse that she wanted me to live my life and not worry about this. easier said than done when you read so many scary stories. GOOD LUCK TO ET too!!!!
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- September 1, 2015 at 2:50 pm
My husband was diagnosed with Melanoma with a 10.5 mm lesion Stage IIIb on the back of his head. He had the WLE and SNB done and the SN came back clear. Melanoma does not always travel through the lymph system as he had 4 more surgeries before he had an unresectable tumor pressing on the cervical spine at the C1-C2 area and it had metastisized to the liver and lungs. If you want to read more check out his profile.
He has been NED (no evidence of disease) for 3 years now after joining a clinical trial for an immunotherapy. So there is still hope.
Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED)
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- September 1, 2015 at 2:50 pm
My husband was diagnosed with Melanoma with a 10.5 mm lesion Stage IIIb on the back of his head. He had the WLE and SNB done and the SN came back clear. Melanoma does not always travel through the lymph system as he had 4 more surgeries before he had an unresectable tumor pressing on the cervical spine at the C1-C2 area and it had metastisized to the liver and lungs. If you want to read more check out his profile.
He has been NED (no evidence of disease) for 3 years now after joining a clinical trial for an immunotherapy. So there is still hope.
Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED)
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- September 2, 2015 at 12:07 pm
That's wonderful news (NED) 🙂 My primary was 1.5 mm lesion on my left lower thigh . Wishing you and your husband a healthy life 🙂
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- September 2, 2015 at 12:07 pm
That's wonderful news (NED) 🙂 My primary was 1.5 mm lesion on my left lower thigh . Wishing you and your husband a healthy life 🙂
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- September 2, 2015 at 12:07 pm
That's wonderful news (NED) 🙂 My primary was 1.5 mm lesion on my left lower thigh . Wishing you and your husband a healthy life 🙂
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- September 1, 2015 at 2:50 pm
My husband was diagnosed with Melanoma with a 10.5 mm lesion Stage IIIb on the back of his head. He had the WLE and SNB done and the SN came back clear. Melanoma does not always travel through the lymph system as he had 4 more surgeries before he had an unresectable tumor pressing on the cervical spine at the C1-C2 area and it had metastisized to the liver and lungs. If you want to read more check out his profile.
He has been NED (no evidence of disease) for 3 years now after joining a clinical trial for an immunotherapy. So there is still hope.
Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED)
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- September 1, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Rose, not all immunotherapy is the same. The newest thing is checkpoint blockers (Yervoy, Opdivo, Keytruda), which have proven to be far, far more effective (and less toxic) than approaches used previously. I hope there is no progression in your cancer, but if there is, you need to keep an open mind to these checkpoint blockade drugs.
Also Judy is correct to point out that not all metastasis is through the lymphatic system. You could have microscopic satellites outside the wide area excision, and melanoma cells can also directly invade the blood stream.
I assume by OSU, you mean Ohio State U. If so, you're in good shape. The James Cancer Hospital is an excellent center with a melanoma group. That is where you should be going, if you aren't already.
The good news is that you're in a great area for treatment, and there are now some good options on the table for treating this disease. You may have caught the cancer before it got too far out of hand, so you might not need anything further, except for being watched closely. However, the bad news is that this disease can really kill you if you turn your back on it (and sometimes even if you don't). Be very careful!
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- September 1, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Rose, not all immunotherapy is the same. The newest thing is checkpoint blockers (Yervoy, Opdivo, Keytruda), which have proven to be far, far more effective (and less toxic) than approaches used previously. I hope there is no progression in your cancer, but if there is, you need to keep an open mind to these checkpoint blockade drugs.
Also Judy is correct to point out that not all metastasis is through the lymphatic system. You could have microscopic satellites outside the wide area excision, and melanoma cells can also directly invade the blood stream.
I assume by OSU, you mean Ohio State U. If so, you're in good shape. The James Cancer Hospital is an excellent center with a melanoma group. That is where you should be going, if you aren't already.
The good news is that you're in a great area for treatment, and there are now some good options on the table for treating this disease. You may have caught the cancer before it got too far out of hand, so you might not need anything further, except for being watched closely. However, the bad news is that this disease can really kill you if you turn your back on it (and sometimes even if you don't). Be very careful!
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- September 1, 2015 at 5:37 pm
PS Part of ET's rationale for rejecting interferon therapy is that she is already 62 years old. If she were much younger, I think her decision could well have been different. Her daughter's ex-boyfriend, with whom we continue to be somewhat close, is battling a neuroma (brain cancer) with everything he can throw at it. He is in terrible shape, and he will probably soon lose this war. But his wife, his stepdaughter, and his own very young daughter are depending on him, so he will fight as long as he can fight — because he is so young, and because so much is at stake. This is just to say that one size doesn't fit all. The right decision for one person might be the wrong decision for someone else.
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- September 1, 2015 at 5:37 pm
PS Part of ET's rationale for rejecting interferon therapy is that she is already 62 years old. If she were much younger, I think her decision could well have been different. Her daughter's ex-boyfriend, with whom we continue to be somewhat close, is battling a neuroma (brain cancer) with everything he can throw at it. He is in terrible shape, and he will probably soon lose this war. But his wife, his stepdaughter, and his own very young daughter are depending on him, so he will fight as long as he can fight — because he is so young, and because so much is at stake. This is just to say that one size doesn't fit all. The right decision for one person might be the wrong decision for someone else.
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- September 1, 2015 at 5:37 pm
PS Part of ET's rationale for rejecting interferon therapy is that she is already 62 years old. If she were much younger, I think her decision could well have been different. Her daughter's ex-boyfriend, with whom we continue to be somewhat close, is battling a neuroma (brain cancer) with everything he can throw at it. He is in terrible shape, and he will probably soon lose this war. But his wife, his stepdaughter, and his own very young daughter are depending on him, so he will fight as long as he can fight — because he is so young, and because so much is at stake. This is just to say that one size doesn't fit all. The right decision for one person might be the wrong decision for someone else.
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- September 1, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Osu says no treatment just observation:) My first oncologist suggested immune therapy and that is why I went to OSU. In my path report there were no satellite tumours and no ulceration and no mitotic index 🙂 Thanks again 🙂 Prayers for your family 🙂
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- September 1, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Osu says no treatment just observation:) My first oncologist suggested immune therapy and that is why I went to OSU. In my path report there were no satellite tumours and no ulceration and no mitotic index 🙂 Thanks again 🙂 Prayers for your family 🙂
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- September 1, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Osu says no treatment just observation:) My first oncologist suggested immune therapy and that is why I went to OSU. In my path report there were no satellite tumours and no ulceration and no mitotic index 🙂 Thanks again 🙂 Prayers for your family 🙂
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- September 1, 2015 at 6:17 pm
Also I had clear scans and blood work 🙂
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- September 1, 2015 at 6:17 pm
Also I had clear scans and blood work 🙂
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- September 1, 2015 at 6:17 pm
Also I had clear scans and blood work 🙂
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- September 1, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Rose, not all immunotherapy is the same. The newest thing is checkpoint blockers (Yervoy, Opdivo, Keytruda), which have proven to be far, far more effective (and less toxic) than approaches used previously. I hope there is no progression in your cancer, but if there is, you need to keep an open mind to these checkpoint blockade drugs.
Also Judy is correct to point out that not all metastasis is through the lymphatic system. You could have microscopic satellites outside the wide area excision, and melanoma cells can also directly invade the blood stream.
I assume by OSU, you mean Ohio State U. If so, you're in good shape. The James Cancer Hospital is an excellent center with a melanoma group. That is where you should be going, if you aren't already.
The good news is that you're in a great area for treatment, and there are now some good options on the table for treating this disease. You may have caught the cancer before it got too far out of hand, so you might not need anything further, except for being watched closely. However, the bad news is that this disease can really kill you if you turn your back on it (and sometimes even if you don't). Be very careful!
-
- September 1, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Thanks so much for your quick response. I too chose not to do the immune therapy! it didn't grow outside the node or even on the wall of the node. it was just a .5 mm invasion and not all of them were melanoma cells, just a small focus was positive. I am to see my oncologist once a year (per OSU suggestion) and my dermatologist every 3 months. I had a 3rd opinion from OSU regaurding my path report and their pathologist said that they won't rule out that it was melanoma because they would rather be safe than sorry. I was also told by a wonderful nurse that she wanted me to live my life and not worry about this. easier said than done when you read so many scary stories. GOOD LUCK TO ET too!!!!
-
- September 1, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Thanks so much for your quick response. I too chose not to do the immune therapy! it didn't grow outside the node or even on the wall of the node. it was just a .5 mm invasion and not all of them were melanoma cells, just a small focus was positive. I am to see my oncologist once a year (per OSU suggestion) and my dermatologist every 3 months. I had a 3rd opinion from OSU regaurding my path report and their pathologist said that they won't rule out that it was melanoma because they would rather be safe than sorry. I was also told by a wonderful nurse that she wanted me to live my life and not worry about this. easier said than done when you read so many scary stories. GOOD LUCK TO ET too!!!!
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- September 1, 2015 at 8:46 pm
FAIW, I just finished searching through the cancer.gov database of clinical trials for stage III melanoma within a 500 mi radius of SE Virginia. I did this to explore the suggestion one person had made that ET's staging might be up/downgraded to Stage III on the basis of certain findings in the initial path report.
I found 60 trials involving vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, and other treatments. Unfortunately, other than the three vaccine trials of which I was already familiar (and which are available to ET at stage IIb), there is nothing for a subject who is NED ("No Evidence of Disease"). Most studies require a tumor that is unresectable or that has not been resected. Or they require a pattern of recurrence of progression. None of that applies to either ET or you. If you do go searching clinical trials databases and find something that applies to a Stage IIIa patient with full resection of the initial tumor and no recurrence, please let me know! 😉
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- September 1, 2015 at 8:46 pm
FAIW, I just finished searching through the cancer.gov database of clinical trials for stage III melanoma within a 500 mi radius of SE Virginia. I did this to explore the suggestion one person had made that ET's staging might be up/downgraded to Stage III on the basis of certain findings in the initial path report.
I found 60 trials involving vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, and other treatments. Unfortunately, other than the three vaccine trials of which I was already familiar (and which are available to ET at stage IIb), there is nothing for a subject who is NED ("No Evidence of Disease"). Most studies require a tumor that is unresectable or that has not been resected. Or they require a pattern of recurrence of progression. None of that applies to either ET or you. If you do go searching clinical trials databases and find something that applies to a Stage IIIa patient with full resection of the initial tumor and no recurrence, please let me know! 😉
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- September 2, 2015 at 12:08 pm
I sure will 🙂 Thanks for all of your advice 🙂
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- September 2, 2015 at 12:08 pm
I sure will 🙂 Thanks for all of your advice 🙂
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- September 2, 2015 at 12:08 pm
I sure will 🙂 Thanks for all of your advice 🙂
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- September 1, 2015 at 8:46 pm
FAIW, I just finished searching through the cancer.gov database of clinical trials for stage III melanoma within a 500 mi radius of SE Virginia. I did this to explore the suggestion one person had made that ET's staging might be up/downgraded to Stage III on the basis of certain findings in the initial path report.
I found 60 trials involving vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, and other treatments. Unfortunately, other than the three vaccine trials of which I was already familiar (and which are available to ET at stage IIb), there is nothing for a subject who is NED ("No Evidence of Disease"). Most studies require a tumor that is unresectable or that has not been resected. Or they require a pattern of recurrence of progression. None of that applies to either ET or you. If you do go searching clinical trials databases and find something that applies to a Stage IIIa patient with full resection of the initial tumor and no recurrence, please let me know! 😉
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- September 1, 2015 at 1:55 pm
Take a deep breath! ET and I aren't much farther ahead of you, and I know how much your head is spinning. (ET just went through surgery and by some miracle didn't have any lymph node involvement that they could find. She's stage IIb.)
In answer to your question, NO. Not all stage IIIa superficial spreading melanomas move to other parts of the body. The fact that it made it to a lymph node increases the chance, but that does not mean it will metastasize elsewhere. However, make no mistake: You are definitely at risk.
Your lymph nodes are like little filters. They catch cells and cellular debris, which are ordinarily destroyed by your your immune system. Only clear filtrate progresses from the node back to your circulatory system — normally. The danger is when the melanoma grows and compromises the structure of your lymph node, in which case it can throw cells into the outbound fluids headed back to your circulatory system. But it doesn't sound like you had that level of disease in the sentinel node.
Your treatment options are similar to ET's at this point. The only FDA-approved treatment at your stage is interferon. ET has the same option. She has decided she probably doesn't want to do this, because she feels the small benefits don't justify the loss of her quality of life for a year. I can't blame her.
And there are clinical trials. There may be more available to you than to ET. ET is currently considering 3 vaccine trials. Vaccines are of very limited benefit too, but at least they don't diminish quality of life.
You can search for clinical trials at cancer.gov and clinicaltrials.gov.
If you're not under the care of a melanoma oncologist, find one! This is the advice everyone gives, and I think it's absolutely spot-on. We've been dealing with a lot of very good/smart physicians locally, but melanoma research is advancing so rapidly only a melanoma specialist would be experienced with some ground-breaking treatments only available in the past year or three. It is clear that the physicians who have been treating ET aren't knowledgeable about these cutting edge treatments. I'm pretty certain I now know know more about melanoma treatment than they do. We are scheduled at a melanoma center Wednesday next and are expecting a different level of care than ET has received so far.
You also need to study the options you have. Your oncologist may not have the same perspectives and treatment goals that you do. The more you know, the more you can advocate for yourself.
Good luck! I so wish we had no reason to be on this list!
-
- September 1, 2015 at 1:55 pm
Take a deep breath! ET and I aren't much farther ahead of you, and I know how much your head is spinning. (ET just went through surgery and by some miracle didn't have any lymph node involvement that they could find. She's stage IIb.)
In answer to your question, NO. Not all stage IIIa superficial spreading melanomas move to other parts of the body. The fact that it made it to a lymph node increases the chance, but that does not mean it will metastasize elsewhere. However, make no mistake: You are definitely at risk.
Your lymph nodes are like little filters. They catch cells and cellular debris, which are ordinarily destroyed by your your immune system. Only clear filtrate progresses from the node back to your circulatory system — normally. The danger is when the melanoma grows and compromises the structure of your lymph node, in which case it can throw cells into the outbound fluids headed back to your circulatory system. But it doesn't sound like you had that level of disease in the sentinel node.
Your treatment options are similar to ET's at this point. The only FDA-approved treatment at your stage is interferon. ET has the same option. She has decided she probably doesn't want to do this, because she feels the small benefits don't justify the loss of her quality of life for a year. I can't blame her.
And there are clinical trials. There may be more available to you than to ET. ET is currently considering 3 vaccine trials. Vaccines are of very limited benefit too, but at least they don't diminish quality of life.
You can search for clinical trials at cancer.gov and clinicaltrials.gov.
If you're not under the care of a melanoma oncologist, find one! This is the advice everyone gives, and I think it's absolutely spot-on. We've been dealing with a lot of very good/smart physicians locally, but melanoma research is advancing so rapidly only a melanoma specialist would be experienced with some ground-breaking treatments only available in the past year or three. It is clear that the physicians who have been treating ET aren't knowledgeable about these cutting edge treatments. I'm pretty certain I now know know more about melanoma treatment than they do. We are scheduled at a melanoma center Wednesday next and are expecting a different level of care than ET has received so far.
You also need to study the options you have. Your oncologist may not have the same perspectives and treatment goals that you do. The more you know, the more you can advocate for yourself.
Good luck! I so wish we had no reason to be on this list!
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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