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Staging question
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Staging question

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Staging question

  • Post
    • July 31, 2014 at 11:05 pm
    Kdw2012
    Participant

      If a sentinel biopsy is done and there is no Melanoma, and then it returns years later in the lymph nodes does this mean you are stage 4?

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 1, 2014 at 12:53 am
        vlmd1986
        Participant

          Hi there, 

          If the melanoma has returned to the original lymph node basin (the same group of lymph nodes where the sentinel node was taken from), it is my understanding that this is still Stage III (in the absence of distant sites of metastasis). But you should, of course, rely on your physician for final staging information!

           

          Hope this helps,

          V

          • August 1, 2014 at 12:53 am
          vlmd1986
          Participant

            Hi there, 

            If the melanoma has returned to the original lymph node basin (the same group of lymph nodes where the sentinel node was taken from), it is my understanding that this is still Stage III (in the absence of distant sites of metastasis). But you should, of course, rely on your physician for final staging information!

             

            Hope this helps,

            V

              • August 1, 2014 at 5:14 pm
              Kdw2012
              Participant

                This is my understanding also. The lymph node involved was from the original site of sentinel node taken.

                originally there were two sentinel nodes taken, one from groin and one from left axilla. My melanoma is on mid back. However my doctor is telling me I am stage 4, either way melanoma sucks. I am scheduled for another scan next week before starting treatment.

                thank you for your input.

                • August 1, 2014 at 6:34 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  I'm going to agree with you and the other poster, not your doc.  LOCAL basin is stage III.  DISTANT basin is stage IV.  If this is in the same basin as the sentinel node, then that is LOCAL to me.  Is the doc a melanoma specialist?  Everything about stage III is "there is no distant spread".  And as long as you fit that category, you are stage III.  As for your other comment, yes – either way – melanoma sucks.  We all wholeheartedly agree with that one!

                  • August 1, 2014 at 6:34 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    I'm going to agree with you and the other poster, not your doc.  LOCAL basin is stage III.  DISTANT basin is stage IV.  If this is in the same basin as the sentinel node, then that is LOCAL to me.  Is the doc a melanoma specialist?  Everything about stage III is "there is no distant spread".  And as long as you fit that category, you are stage III.  As for your other comment, yes – either way – melanoma sucks.  We all wholeheartedly agree with that one!

                    • August 1, 2014 at 6:34 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      I'm going to agree with you and the other poster, not your doc.  LOCAL basin is stage III.  DISTANT basin is stage IV.  If this is in the same basin as the sentinel node, then that is LOCAL to me.  Is the doc a melanoma specialist?  Everything about stage III is "there is no distant spread".  And as long as you fit that category, you are stage III.  As for your other comment, yes – either way – melanoma sucks.  We all wholeheartedly agree with that one!

                      • August 2, 2014 at 8:05 am
                      H.D.W.
                      Participant

                        Let them call you stage IV, more treatment options are available in most countries.

                        • August 2, 2014 at 8:05 am
                        H.D.W.
                        Participant

                          Let them call you stage IV, more treatment options are available in most countries.

                          • August 2, 2014 at 8:05 am
                          H.D.W.
                          Participant

                            Let them call you stage IV, more treatment options are available in most countries.

                            • August 2, 2014 at 3:33 pm
                            Kdw2012
                            Participant

                              That is what I thought also let them call it Stage IV. This is not a melanoma specialist I am at the mercy of my insurance right now. The original melanoma was nodular with a mitotic rate of 15 and the recurrence was 7 months. 

                              • August 2, 2014 at 3:33 pm
                              Kdw2012
                              Participant

                                That is what I thought also let them call it Stage IV. This is not a melanoma specialist I am at the mercy of my insurance right now. The original melanoma was nodular with a mitotic rate of 15 and the recurrence was 7 months. 

                                • August 3, 2014 at 8:07 am
                                H.D.W.
                                Participant

                                  Melanoma does indeed suck! If your MD is not a Melanoma Specialist ask him/her why they don't refer you to one! I have a very limited HMO and as soon as my diagnosis was confirmed all of my "in-network" doctors informed the insurance company that a major cancer center, with world renowned surgeons and melanoma specialists, should be taking care of me. Get the "local" physicians to convince the insurance company you need a real specialist! Once my local doctors started referring me to UCLA things got moving. Learn how the referral process works and advocate for yourself! I'm stage III B/C (unknown primary) and had surgery at UCLA and am being seen there by one of the top Melanoma specialists (I'm in a drug trial).  Good luck, and God Bless you. Find and keep your faith!

                                  • August 3, 2014 at 8:07 am
                                  H.D.W.
                                  Participant

                                    Melanoma does indeed suck! If your MD is not a Melanoma Specialist ask him/her why they don't refer you to one! I have a very limited HMO and as soon as my diagnosis was confirmed all of my "in-network" doctors informed the insurance company that a major cancer center, with world renowned surgeons and melanoma specialists, should be taking care of me. Get the "local" physicians to convince the insurance company you need a real specialist! Once my local doctors started referring me to UCLA things got moving. Learn how the referral process works and advocate for yourself! I'm stage III B/C (unknown primary) and had surgery at UCLA and am being seen there by one of the top Melanoma specialists (I'm in a drug trial).  Good luck, and God Bless you. Find and keep your faith!

                                    • August 3, 2014 at 8:07 am
                                    H.D.W.
                                    Participant

                                      Melanoma does indeed suck! If your MD is not a Melanoma Specialist ask him/her why they don't refer you to one! I have a very limited HMO and as soon as my diagnosis was confirmed all of my "in-network" doctors informed the insurance company that a major cancer center, with world renowned surgeons and melanoma specialists, should be taking care of me. Get the "local" physicians to convince the insurance company you need a real specialist! Once my local doctors started referring me to UCLA things got moving. Learn how the referral process works and advocate for yourself! I'm stage III B/C (unknown primary) and had surgery at UCLA and am being seen there by one of the top Melanoma specialists (I'm in a drug trial).  Good luck, and God Bless you. Find and keep your faith!

                                      • August 2, 2014 at 3:33 pm
                                      Kdw2012
                                      Participant

                                        That is what I thought also let them call it Stage IV. This is not a melanoma specialist I am at the mercy of my insurance right now. The original melanoma was nodular with a mitotic rate of 15 and the recurrence was 7 months. 

                                        • August 1, 2014 at 5:14 pm
                                        Kdw2012
                                        Participant

                                          This is my understanding also. The lymph node involved was from the original site of sentinel node taken.

                                          originally there were two sentinel nodes taken, one from groin and one from left axilla. My melanoma is on mid back. However my doctor is telling me I am stage 4, either way melanoma sucks. I am scheduled for another scan next week before starting treatment.

                                          thank you for your input.

                                          • August 1, 2014 at 5:14 pm
                                          Kdw2012
                                          Participant

                                            This is my understanding also. The lymph node involved was from the original site of sentinel node taken.

                                            originally there were two sentinel nodes taken, one from groin and one from left axilla. My melanoma is on mid back. However my doctor is telling me I am stage 4, either way melanoma sucks. I am scheduled for another scan next week before starting treatment.

                                            thank you for your input.

                                          • August 1, 2014 at 12:53 am
                                          vlmd1986
                                          Participant

                                            Hi there, 

                                            If the melanoma has returned to the original lymph node basin (the same group of lymph nodes where the sentinel node was taken from), it is my understanding that this is still Stage III (in the absence of distant sites of metastasis). But you should, of course, rely on your physician for final staging information!

                                             

                                            Hope this helps,

                                            V

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