› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Ultrasounds to detect melanoma??
- This topic has 24 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 7 months ago by
gabsound.
- Post
-
- February 20, 2012 at 6:43 pm
I was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in Nov after my wle and snb surgery. It was in 2 lymph nodes and was 9mm deep on my side. They wanted me to have radiation on my side since it was so deep, but none on the lymph nodes. They want me have a CT scan and labwork every 3 months but now the radiologist wants me to have an ultrasound on my lymph nodes also every 3 months. What i have read does not mention ultrasound at all? Isn't the ct scan enough? She says it may catch something the CT misses. Has anyone else had ultrasounds?
I was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma in Nov after my wle and snb surgery. It was in 2 lymph nodes and was 9mm deep on my side. They wanted me to have radiation on my side since it was so deep, but none on the lymph nodes. They want me have a CT scan and labwork every 3 months but now the radiologist wants me to have an ultrasound on my lymph nodes also every 3 months. What i have read does not mention ultrasound at all? Isn't the ct scan enough? She says it may catch something the CT misses. Has anyone else had ultrasounds? Why do some people with stage 3 have chemo and some not? Just confused and hoping someone has some answers.
Thanks!
alabama girl
- Replies
-
-
- February 20, 2012 at 7:15 pm
I'm Stage III (unknown primary, 1 positive node). All the lymph nodes in my left armpit were removed in January 2011. Currently I'm in a clinical trial for the MAGE vaccine and get routine CT scans as part of that trial. This past June, the CT scan revealed a lump near the surgicial incision. Based on what was seen on the scan, doctors could not say with 100% certainty that it was scar tissue so an ultra sound was ordered and if it still looked suspicious then they'd have to do a fine needle biopsy right then and there. Through the ultra sound, doctors were able to see that it was just a bulging blood vessel. No need to do the fine needle biopsy! What they also were able to tell me was the there are no more lymph nodes in my left armpit — the surgeon got them all.
From what I can gather from that experience is that even though a CT scan gives you a lot of detail, the ultrasound was able to fine tune it somewhat.
There is a chemo drug that's used to treat some stage IV melanomas. I'm not aware of any chemo being used for stage III. In general, there are few treatment options for stage III. The only FDA approved drug for stage III is interferon. But there are some clinical trials available.
-
- February 20, 2012 at 7:15 pm
I'm Stage III (unknown primary, 1 positive node). All the lymph nodes in my left armpit were removed in January 2011. Currently I'm in a clinical trial for the MAGE vaccine and get routine CT scans as part of that trial. This past June, the CT scan revealed a lump near the surgicial incision. Based on what was seen on the scan, doctors could not say with 100% certainty that it was scar tissue so an ultra sound was ordered and if it still looked suspicious then they'd have to do a fine needle biopsy right then and there. Through the ultra sound, doctors were able to see that it was just a bulging blood vessel. No need to do the fine needle biopsy! What they also were able to tell me was the there are no more lymph nodes in my left armpit — the surgeon got them all.
From what I can gather from that experience is that even though a CT scan gives you a lot of detail, the ultrasound was able to fine tune it somewhat.
There is a chemo drug that's used to treat some stage IV melanomas. I'm not aware of any chemo being used for stage III. In general, there are few treatment options for stage III. The only FDA approved drug for stage III is interferon. But there are some clinical trials available.
-
- February 20, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Ultra-sound is just another tool used by docs.Keep fighting.Prayers and well wishes to you.
-
- February 20, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Ultra-sound is just another tool used by docs.Keep fighting.Prayers and well wishes to you.
-
- February 20, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Ultra-sound is just another tool used by docs.Keep fighting.Prayers and well wishes to you.
-
- February 20, 2012 at 7:15 pm
I'm Stage III (unknown primary, 1 positive node). All the lymph nodes in my left armpit were removed in January 2011. Currently I'm in a clinical trial for the MAGE vaccine and get routine CT scans as part of that trial. This past June, the CT scan revealed a lump near the surgicial incision. Based on what was seen on the scan, doctors could not say with 100% certainty that it was scar tissue so an ultra sound was ordered and if it still looked suspicious then they'd have to do a fine needle biopsy right then and there. Through the ultra sound, doctors were able to see that it was just a bulging blood vessel. No need to do the fine needle biopsy! What they also were able to tell me was the there are no more lymph nodes in my left armpit — the surgeon got them all.
From what I can gather from that experience is that even though a CT scan gives you a lot of detail, the ultrasound was able to fine tune it somewhat.
There is a chemo drug that's used to treat some stage IV melanomas. I'm not aware of any chemo being used for stage III. In general, there are few treatment options for stage III. The only FDA approved drug for stage III is interferon. But there are some clinical trials available.
-
- February 20, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Stage 3 NED is a confusing place to be. I'm sure you have been told about interferon, which is approved for stage 3, but not always reccomended. I would make sure you are with a good melanoma team and see if there are any trials you would be concidered for. A lot of people choose to watch and wait, which it sounds like you are doing. This is very hard to do, so make sure you are informed about any other options you might have so you don't drive yourself crazy wondering if you could be doing something in addition.
I would be okay with extra ultra sounds, sounds like more peace of mind to me. I hope they never see it again, good luck to you!
Ali
-
- February 20, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Stage 3 NED is a confusing place to be. I'm sure you have been told about interferon, which is approved for stage 3, but not always reccomended. I would make sure you are with a good melanoma team and see if there are any trials you would be concidered for. A lot of people choose to watch and wait, which it sounds like you are doing. This is very hard to do, so make sure you are informed about any other options you might have so you don't drive yourself crazy wondering if you could be doing something in addition.
I would be okay with extra ultra sounds, sounds like more peace of mind to me. I hope they never see it again, good luck to you!
Ali
-
- February 20, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Stage 3 NED is a confusing place to be. I'm sure you have been told about interferon, which is approved for stage 3, but not always reccomended. I would make sure you are with a good melanoma team and see if there are any trials you would be concidered for. A lot of people choose to watch and wait, which it sounds like you are doing. This is very hard to do, so make sure you are informed about any other options you might have so you don't drive yourself crazy wondering if you could be doing something in addition.
I would be okay with extra ultra sounds, sounds like more peace of mind to me. I hope they never see it again, good luck to you!
Ali
-
- February 20, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Many of us at stage 3 have had all our lymph nodes removed. There is not much reason to monitor further, Since you still have lymph nodes an ultra sound is an extra bit of precaution. Actually, I believe this is the way most stage 3a and 3b will be handled in the future. Docs are beginning to feel it is unnecessary to remove the remaining nodes if only microscopic amounts were found in the sentinel nodes. I was offered the option of keeping my remaining lymph nodes but chose to have them removed, as it turned out I didn't need to but that's hind-sight. Sounds like you are in good hands.
Mary
Stage 3
-
- February 23, 2012 at 1:24 am
Alabama girl,I agree with Mary. My oncologist and surgeon are hoping someday to not not automatically remove all the nodes in a region for microscopic disease. Complications like lymphedema can seriously impact quality of life for some patients. Good ultrasound by people experienced in this area should detect most disease. Of course I still would want pet/CT or CT done as well. But as ultrasound is non invasive and cheap (compared to PET,CT, and MRI), I also think it should be used more.
I do ultrasound for my job all OB and GYN so not really my area, but I scanned my leg regularly and found things that didn’t look especially bad on CT or PET but to me had features of malignancy. I was right each time. My Drs at first kinda humored me about bringing in my images, but are now asking me to do scans to monitor post treatments.
Julie in Las Vegas
-
- February 23, 2012 at 1:24 am
Alabama girl,I agree with Mary. My oncologist and surgeon are hoping someday to not not automatically remove all the nodes in a region for microscopic disease. Complications like lymphedema can seriously impact quality of life for some patients. Good ultrasound by people experienced in this area should detect most disease. Of course I still would want pet/CT or CT done as well. But as ultrasound is non invasive and cheap (compared to PET,CT, and MRI), I also think it should be used more.
I do ultrasound for my job all OB and GYN so not really my area, but I scanned my leg regularly and found things that didn’t look especially bad on CT or PET but to me had features of malignancy. I was right each time. My Drs at first kinda humored me about bringing in my images, but are now asking me to do scans to monitor post treatments.
Julie in Las Vegas
-
- February 23, 2012 at 1:24 am
Alabama girl,I agree with Mary. My oncologist and surgeon are hoping someday to not not automatically remove all the nodes in a region for microscopic disease. Complications like lymphedema can seriously impact quality of life for some patients. Good ultrasound by people experienced in this area should detect most disease. Of course I still would want pet/CT or CT done as well. But as ultrasound is non invasive and cheap (compared to PET,CT, and MRI), I also think it should be used more.
I do ultrasound for my job all OB and GYN so not really my area, but I scanned my leg regularly and found things that didn’t look especially bad on CT or PET but to me had features of malignancy. I was right each time. My Drs at first kinda humored me about bringing in my images, but are now asking me to do scans to monitor post treatments.
Julie in Las Vegas
-
- February 20, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Many of us at stage 3 have had all our lymph nodes removed. There is not much reason to monitor further, Since you still have lymph nodes an ultra sound is an extra bit of precaution. Actually, I believe this is the way most stage 3a and 3b will be handled in the future. Docs are beginning to feel it is unnecessary to remove the remaining nodes if only microscopic amounts were found in the sentinel nodes. I was offered the option of keeping my remaining lymph nodes but chose to have them removed, as it turned out I didn't need to but that's hind-sight. Sounds like you are in good hands.
Mary
Stage 3
-
- February 20, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Many of us at stage 3 have had all our lymph nodes removed. There is not much reason to monitor further, Since you still have lymph nodes an ultra sound is an extra bit of precaution. Actually, I believe this is the way most stage 3a and 3b will be handled in the future. Docs are beginning to feel it is unnecessary to remove the remaining nodes if only microscopic amounts were found in the sentinel nodes. I was offered the option of keeping my remaining lymph nodes but chose to have them removed, as it turned out I didn't need to but that's hind-sight. Sounds like you are in good hands.
Mary
Stage 3
-
- February 21, 2012 at 9:04 am
Ultrasounds are not foolproof our son was stage 3 when a little pea sized lump popped up on his belly. The conclusion of the ultrasound was it was a sebaceous cyst and the Doctor said not to worry. We still went to the Surgeon who suggested he take it out in his clinic as it was just under the skin, Pathology came back as positive for Melanoma. When he was first diagnosed an ultrasound suggested a suspect gland near his ear which recommended biopsy, it came back positive so i guess on its own, maybe not but in combo with CT it can't hurt
best wishes
James
-
- February 21, 2012 at 9:04 am
Ultrasounds are not foolproof our son was stage 3 when a little pea sized lump popped up on his belly. The conclusion of the ultrasound was it was a sebaceous cyst and the Doctor said not to worry. We still went to the Surgeon who suggested he take it out in his clinic as it was just under the skin, Pathology came back as positive for Melanoma. When he was first diagnosed an ultrasound suggested a suspect gland near his ear which recommended biopsy, it came back positive so i guess on its own, maybe not but in combo with CT it can't hurt
best wishes
James
-
- February 21, 2012 at 9:04 am
Ultrasounds are not foolproof our son was stage 3 when a little pea sized lump popped up on his belly. The conclusion of the ultrasound was it was a sebaceous cyst and the Doctor said not to worry. We still went to the Surgeon who suggested he take it out in his clinic as it was just under the skin, Pathology came back as positive for Melanoma. When he was first diagnosed an ultrasound suggested a suspect gland near his ear which recommended biopsy, it came back positive so i guess on its own, maybe not but in combo with CT it can't hurt
best wishes
James
-
- February 21, 2012 at 2:34 pm
You can monitor lymph node changes with ultrasound. They do it all the time for breast lumps. A mammogram shows something suspiscious and they use ultrasound to rule out a cyst. However, I have had them monitor the same lump for changes after a biopsy proved inconclusive. We did a 3 month ultrasound followup and a year followup and there was no change in size or character so the lump was assumed benign. Ultrasound may see smaller changes than a scan might pick up. The nice thing about ultrasound is it doesn't have any radiation associated with it like the other scans do.
As for chemo, not a lot of people do chemo at stage 3. Many do Interferon which is actually an immune system booster, not a chemo. (Chemo destroys cells, Interferon is meant to increase your own bodies self defenses so your body kills cancer cells). However, Interferon doesn't have that great of numbers backing it up. In general, it appears it helps a small subset of the population delay recurrence but doesn't show it increases overall survival. Some institutions don't offer it anymore. Others still push it as "this is what you do when you're stage 3". Right now, it is the only FDA approved treatment for stage III. It can be quite controversial among those who have taken it and/or refused it. There are some clinical trials for other drugs but there aren't a lot of options for stage III right now.
Best wishes,
Janner
-
- February 21, 2012 at 2:34 pm
You can monitor lymph node changes with ultrasound. They do it all the time for breast lumps. A mammogram shows something suspiscious and they use ultrasound to rule out a cyst. However, I have had them monitor the same lump for changes after a biopsy proved inconclusive. We did a 3 month ultrasound followup and a year followup and there was no change in size or character so the lump was assumed benign. Ultrasound may see smaller changes than a scan might pick up. The nice thing about ultrasound is it doesn't have any radiation associated with it like the other scans do.
As for chemo, not a lot of people do chemo at stage 3. Many do Interferon which is actually an immune system booster, not a chemo. (Chemo destroys cells, Interferon is meant to increase your own bodies self defenses so your body kills cancer cells). However, Interferon doesn't have that great of numbers backing it up. In general, it appears it helps a small subset of the population delay recurrence but doesn't show it increases overall survival. Some institutions don't offer it anymore. Others still push it as "this is what you do when you're stage 3". Right now, it is the only FDA approved treatment for stage III. It can be quite controversial among those who have taken it and/or refused it. There are some clinical trials for other drugs but there aren't a lot of options for stage III right now.
Best wishes,
Janner
-
- February 21, 2012 at 2:34 pm
You can monitor lymph node changes with ultrasound. They do it all the time for breast lumps. A mammogram shows something suspiscious and they use ultrasound to rule out a cyst. However, I have had them monitor the same lump for changes after a biopsy proved inconclusive. We did a 3 month ultrasound followup and a year followup and there was no change in size or character so the lump was assumed benign. Ultrasound may see smaller changes than a scan might pick up. The nice thing about ultrasound is it doesn't have any radiation associated with it like the other scans do.
As for chemo, not a lot of people do chemo at stage 3. Many do Interferon which is actually an immune system booster, not a chemo. (Chemo destroys cells, Interferon is meant to increase your own bodies self defenses so your body kills cancer cells). However, Interferon doesn't have that great of numbers backing it up. In general, it appears it helps a small subset of the population delay recurrence but doesn't show it increases overall survival. Some institutions don't offer it anymore. Others still push it as "this is what you do when you're stage 3". Right now, it is the only FDA approved treatment for stage III. It can be quite controversial among those who have taken it and/or refused it. There are some clinical trials for other drugs but there aren't a lot of options for stage III right now.
Best wishes,
Janner
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.