Wide excision and Sentinel Node biopsy; what’s next?
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Wide excision and Sentinel Node biopsy; what’s next?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Wide excision and Sentinel Node biopsy; what’s next?

  • Post
    • July 7, 2011 at 6:38 pm
    Steve in New England
    Participant

    I was just diagnosed a couple of weeks ago and staged at T1b, with a Breslow depth of 0.56 mm.

    The day I saw the Dermatologist (after waiting 4 months to get in) and got a formal diagnosis of melanoma, he did an excisional biopsy the same day. Several weeks later I had a wider margin excised and a sentinel node biopsy performed. Both the margins and the lymph node came back negative.

    So what happens next? Do they typically suggest you have chemo anyways? Or am I now "a survivor"?

    I was just diagnosed a couple of weeks ago and staged at T1b, with a Breslow depth of 0.56 mm.

    The day I saw the Dermatologist (after waiting 4 months to get in) and got a formal diagnosis of melanoma, he did an excisional biopsy the same day. Several weeks later I had a wider margin excised and a sentinel node biopsy performed. Both the margins and the lymph node came back negative.

    So what happens next? Do they typically suggest you have chemo anyways? Or am I now "a survivor"?

    I do know I am required to visit the dermatologist every three months for several years. But other than that I'm wondering if further treatment is typically recommended at this stage?

    Thanks In Advance,

    Steve

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  • Replies
      • July 7, 2011 at 8:26 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      No treatment beyond observation is warranted at this time.  I had a similar lesion removed 19 years ago (.58mm) and am still stage IB.  Unfortunately, I fall into the 8% of the population who have more than one melanoma primary.  (I've had 3).  Watch your scar area for pigment regrowth.  Watch for any changing moles as they are the most suspect.  Practice sun safety.  Then go on and live life!

      Best wishes,

      Janner

      Stage IB since 1992, 3 melanoma primaries

      • July 7, 2011 at 8:26 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      No treatment beyond observation is warranted at this time.  I had a similar lesion removed 19 years ago (.58mm) and am still stage IB.  Unfortunately, I fall into the 8% of the population who have more than one melanoma primary.  (I've had 3).  Watch your scar area for pigment regrowth.  Watch for any changing moles as they are the most suspect.  Practice sun safety.  Then go on and live life!

      Best wishes,

      Janner

      Stage IB since 1992, 3 melanoma primaries

        • July 8, 2011 at 1:38 pm
        Steve in New England
        Participant

        Thanks Janner, that's good news and it's good to hear it from someone who's been there.

        My concern was that I'd be asked to undergo some sort of prophylactic chemotherapy (Inteferon).

        Thanks for sharing your story online, it was so inspiring for me to read and helpful to see the heroism and proactive approach that is so necessary with this diagnosis. It inspires me to do the same.

        Thanks for your heroism!

        Warm regards,

        Steve

        • July 8, 2011 at 1:38 pm
        Steve in New England
        Participant

        Thanks Janner, that's good news and it's good to hear it from someone who's been there.

        My concern was that I'd be asked to undergo some sort of prophylactic chemotherapy (Inteferon).

        Thanks for sharing your story online, it was so inspiring for me to read and helpful to see the heroism and proactive approach that is so necessary with this diagnosis. It inspires me to do the same.

        Thanks for your heroism!

        Warm regards,

        Steve

      • July 9, 2011 at 9:46 pm
      DeniseK
      Participant

      Hi Steve,

      I just had my surgery done on June 8th.  My stage is IIC because the size of my tumor and ulceration.  For me the next step was a PET scan and Brain MRI which came back clear, that was done just in the last couple days.  My next step is to see a specialist and oncologist.  I will probably end up doing the Interferon due to the high probability of recurrence.  With stage 1 you most likely won't do any more treatments.  Early detection is the key and it sounds like you caught it early!!! 

      Denise

      • July 9, 2011 at 9:46 pm
      DeniseK
      Participant

      Hi Steve,

      I just had my surgery done on June 8th.  My stage is IIC because the size of my tumor and ulceration.  For me the next step was a PET scan and Brain MRI which came back clear, that was done just in the last couple days.  My next step is to see a specialist and oncologist.  I will probably end up doing the Interferon due to the high probability of recurrence.  With stage 1 you most likely won't do any more treatments.  Early detection is the key and it sounds like you caught it early!!! 

      Denise

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