Time between initial diagnosis and metastasis
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Time between initial diagnosis and metastasis

› Forums › Ocular Melanoma Community › Time between initial diagnosis and metastasis

  • Post
    • May 25, 2012 at 2:54 am
    Heather
    Participant

    Hello, my name is Heather and I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 1995 at the age of 22. I have been very fortunate and have had no metastasis thus far. On my last CT of the chest two 3mm pulmonary nodules were found.  Upon re-evaluation of my scans the one was present on the previous years scan and showed no change….a good thing. I go next month for a follow up CT .  I am hopeful that this will turn out to be nothing, but as you all know it is scary. Until recently, I thought I was safe from metastasis since it had been so long(naive I guess).

    Hello, my name is Heather and I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 1995 at the age of 22. I have been very fortunate and have had no metastasis thus far. On my last CT of the chest two 3mm pulmonary nodules were found.  Upon re-evaluation of my scans the one was present on the previous years scan and showed no change….a good thing. I go next month for a follow up CT .  I am hopeful that this will turn out to be nothing, but as you all know it is scary. Until recently, I thought I was safe from metastasis since it had been so long(naive I guess).  After this most recent CT's results, I began to research and came across some people with very long gaps between initial diagnosis and metastasis. Just wondering if this is common? Thanks! Heather

Viewing 8 reply threads
  • Replies
      • May 25, 2012 at 3:11 am
      tommonoli
      Participant

      Hi Heather,   were you ever told the size of primary tumor? Location?  Radiation, enucleation?  I am curious due to the length of time since your diagnosis, thank you and take care.

      • May 25, 2012 at 3:11 am
      tommonoli
      Participant

      Hi Heather,   were you ever told the size of primary tumor? Location?  Radiation, enucleation?  I am curious due to the length of time since your diagnosis, thank you and take care.

        • May 25, 2012 at 3:28 am
        Heather
        Participant

        I do not recall the size, but it was not too big. I did have the radiation plaque followed up with laser therapy. It was choroidal occular melanoma. 

        • May 25, 2012 at 3:28 am
        Heather
        Participant

        I do not recall the size, but it was not too big. I did have the radiation plaque followed up with laser therapy. It was choroidal occular melanoma. 

        • May 25, 2012 at 3:28 am
        Heather
        Participant

        I do not recall the size, but it was not too big. I did have the radiation plaque followed up with laser therapy. It was choroidal occular melanoma. 

      • May 25, 2012 at 3:11 am
      tommonoli
      Participant

      Hi Heather,   were you ever told the size of primary tumor? Location?  Radiation, enucleation?  I am curious due to the length of time since your diagnosis, thank you and take care.

      • May 25, 2012 at 7:15 am
      lak
      Participant

      Hi Heather

       

      The first peak of metastases is at 2.5 years post diagnosis

      then 7 years

      then 17 years

      then a few after 20

       

      It is notorious for lying dormant for a long time. As each cohort comes the numbers involved are smaller

      about 25-30 %  get mets 2.5 years from diagnosis

      another 20 % or so at 7  then a few 17 and even fewer later.

       

      These are mean tiimes so some may have mets at diagnosis and some a 3 years etc

       

      The outcome is meant to be much better for those who get it in their lungs first

      • May 25, 2012 at 7:15 am
      lak
      Participant

      Hi Heather

       

      The first peak of metastases is at 2.5 years post diagnosis

      then 7 years

      then 17 years

      then a few after 20

       

      It is notorious for lying dormant for a long time. As each cohort comes the numbers involved are smaller

      about 25-30 %  get mets 2.5 years from diagnosis

      another 20 % or so at 7  then a few 17 and even fewer later.

       

      These are mean tiimes so some may have mets at diagnosis and some a 3 years etc

       

      The outcome is meant to be much better for those who get it in their lungs first

        • May 25, 2012 at 6:12 pm
        Heather
        Participant
        Thank you for the information. Hoping not to fall into one of those statistics.
        🙂 Heather
        • May 25, 2012 at 6:12 pm
        Heather
        Participant
        Thank you for the information. Hoping not to fall into one of those statistics.
        🙂 Heather
        • May 25, 2012 at 6:12 pm
        Heather
        Participant
        Thank you for the information. Hoping not to fall into one of those statistics.
        🙂 Heather
        • May 26, 2012 at 12:38 am
        tommonoli
        Participant

        Amen

        • May 26, 2012 at 12:38 am
        tommonoli
        Participant

        Amen

        • May 26, 2012 at 12:38 am
        tommonoli
        Participant

        Amen

      • May 25, 2012 at 7:15 am
      lak
      Participant

      Hi Heather

       

      The first peak of metastases is at 2.5 years post diagnosis

      then 7 years

      then 17 years

      then a few after 20

       

      It is notorious for lying dormant for a long time. As each cohort comes the numbers involved are smaller

      about 25-30 %  get mets 2.5 years from diagnosis

      another 20 % or so at 7  then a few 17 and even fewer later.

       

      These are mean tiimes so some may have mets at diagnosis and some a 3 years etc

       

      The outcome is meant to be much better for those who get it in their lungs first

      • May 27, 2012 at 6:10 pm
      edamaser
      Participant

      Hi Heather,

      NEVER stop looking for mets.  My OM metastasized 22 years after initial onset in eye.

      Also, I had nodules in my lungs for ages, which did not grow.  Then later I got the real thing, but only after liver mets.

      Anyway, I'm still here and feeling OK.

      I wish you much good luck, and continued NED status.

      Esther

      • May 27, 2012 at 6:10 pm
      edamaser
      Participant

      Hi Heather,

      NEVER stop looking for mets.  My OM metastasized 22 years after initial onset in eye.

      Also, I had nodules in my lungs for ages, which did not grow.  Then later I got the real thing, but only after liver mets.

      Anyway, I'm still here and feeling OK.

      I wish you much good luck, and continued NED status.

      Esther

      • May 27, 2012 at 6:10 pm
      edamaser
      Participant

      Hi Heather,

      NEVER stop looking for mets.  My OM metastasized 22 years after initial onset in eye.

      Also, I had nodules in my lungs for ages, which did not grow.  Then later I got the real thing, but only after liver mets.

      Anyway, I'm still here and feeling OK.

      I wish you much good luck, and continued NED status.

      Esther

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