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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 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 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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