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B_Hutz

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      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you for the clarification!  No one discussed my stage in 2009.  I just looked at the pathology report again and reads:

      Clarks Level 4.  Breslow depth of invasion .8mm.  Ulceration not present.  The margins are uninvolved by tumor.  The mitotic rate is less than 1/mm2.  

      Unfortunately, it showed up again in my lymph nodes nearest the excision in June of 2015.  Pathology from my axillary dissection reads:

      ADDENDUM DIAGNOSIS:

      FINAL DIAGNOSIS:
      A. LYMPH NODES, LEFT AXILLA, DISSECTION:
      1. METASTATIC MELANOMA DETECTED IN ONE OF SIXTEEN LYMPH NODES (1/16).
       
      Microscopic Description: Pan-melanoma cocktail was performed on all
      blocks, highlighting metastatic melanoma in block A15, which represents a small
      sampling from a 4 cm grossly-positive lymph node with tumor necrosis and
      extracapsular extension. Some immunoreactive cells are also present in block
      A3, but given their small size, often flattened shape, and mostly intracapsular
      setting, they are interpreted as a nodal nevus. The current pathologic nodal
      staging is pN1b.
       
      The neoplastic cells are immunohistochemically negative for BRAF.
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you for the clarification!  No one discussed my stage in 2009.  I just looked at the pathology report again and reads:

      Clarks Level 4.  Breslow depth of invasion .8mm.  Ulceration not present.  The margins are uninvolved by tumor.  The mitotic rate is less than 1/mm2.  

      Unfortunately, it showed up again in my lymph nodes nearest the excision in June of 2015.  Pathology from my axillary dissection reads:

      ADDENDUM DIAGNOSIS:

      FINAL DIAGNOSIS:
      A. LYMPH NODES, LEFT AXILLA, DISSECTION:
      1. METASTATIC MELANOMA DETECTED IN ONE OF SIXTEEN LYMPH NODES (1/16).
       
      Microscopic Description: Pan-melanoma cocktail was performed on all
      blocks, highlighting metastatic melanoma in block A15, which represents a small
      sampling from a 4 cm grossly-positive lymph node with tumor necrosis and
      extracapsular extension. Some immunoreactive cells are also present in block
      A3, but given their small size, often flattened shape, and mostly intracapsular
      setting, they are interpreted as a nodal nevus. The current pathologic nodal
      staging is pN1b.
       
      The neoplastic cells are immunohistochemically negative for BRAF.
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you for the clarification!  No one discussed my stage in 2009.  I just looked at the pathology report again and reads:

      Clarks Level 4.  Breslow depth of invasion .8mm.  Ulceration not present.  The margins are uninvolved by tumor.  The mitotic rate is less than 1/mm2.  

      Unfortunately, it showed up again in my lymph nodes nearest the excision in June of 2015.  Pathology from my axillary dissection reads:

      ADDENDUM DIAGNOSIS:

      FINAL DIAGNOSIS:
      A. LYMPH NODES, LEFT AXILLA, DISSECTION:
      1. METASTATIC MELANOMA DETECTED IN ONE OF SIXTEEN LYMPH NODES (1/16).
       
      Microscopic Description: Pan-melanoma cocktail was performed on all
      blocks, highlighting metastatic melanoma in block A15, which represents a small
      sampling from a 4 cm grossly-positive lymph node with tumor necrosis and
      extracapsular extension. Some immunoreactive cells are also present in block
      A3, but given their small size, often flattened shape, and mostly intracapsular
      setting, they are interpreted as a nodal nevus. The current pathologic nodal
      staging is pN1b.
       
      The neoplastic cells are immunohistochemically negative for BRAF.
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you so much for the message!!  

      My oncologist has me taking the 30mg of hydrocortisone for an indefinite amount of time.  My endocrinologist has me on Levothyroxine 25mcg.  I guess my endocrine system is suppressed due to the extended period of taking 120mg of prednisone.  It wrecked my body.  At some point they are going to see if my adrenals are functional.  I know all of my counts are low including testosterone.

      My stomach is also a mess.  I am always nauseated.  My oncologist has given me Zophran which helps a little.  

      Wishing you the best!!

      Brandt

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you so much for the message!!  

      My oncologist has me taking the 30mg of hydrocortisone for an indefinite amount of time.  My endocrinologist has me on Levothyroxine 25mcg.  I guess my endocrine system is suppressed due to the extended period of taking 120mg of prednisone.  It wrecked my body.  At some point they are going to see if my adrenals are functional.  I know all of my counts are low including testosterone.

      My stomach is also a mess.  I am always nauseated.  My oncologist has given me Zophran which helps a little.  

      Wishing you the best!!

      Brandt

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you so much for the message!!  

      My oncologist has me taking the 30mg of hydrocortisone for an indefinite amount of time.  My endocrinologist has me on Levothyroxine 25mcg.  I guess my endocrine system is suppressed due to the extended period of taking 120mg of prednisone.  It wrecked my body.  At some point they are going to see if my adrenals are functional.  I know all of my counts are low including testosterone.

      My stomach is also a mess.  I am always nauseated.  My oncologist has given me Zophran which helps a little.  

      Wishing you the best!!

      Brandt

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you for the message Ed!  I will check out the post by SleepyT23.

      Take care!

      Brandt

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you for the message Ed!  I will check out the post by SleepyT23.

      Take care!

      Brandt

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you for the message Ed!  I will check out the post by SleepyT23.

      Take care!

      Brandt

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you!

      My original melanoma was staged at 0, in situ  

      The tumor is confined to the epidermis and has not entered the dermis, a deeper layer of the skin. This stage of melanoma is also called melanoma in situ.

       

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you!

      My original melanoma was staged at 0, in situ  

      The tumor is confined to the epidermis and has not entered the dermis, a deeper layer of the skin. This stage of melanoma is also called melanoma in situ.

       

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      Thank you!

      My original melanoma was staged at 0, in situ  

      The tumor is confined to the epidermis and has not entered the dermis, a deeper layer of the skin. This stage of melanoma is also called melanoma in situ.

       

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      In 2009, a sentinel node biopsy was not indicated due to the shallow thickness. My dermatologist and and oncologist said they didn't believe it would have been in my lymph nodes yet anyway. It just took six years to make its way to my lymph nodes. 

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      In 2009, a sentinel node biopsy was not indicated due to the shallow thickness. My dermatologist and and oncologist said they didn't believe it would have been in my lymph nodes yet anyway. It just took six years to make its way to my lymph nodes. 

      B_Hutz
      Participant

      In 2009, a sentinel node biopsy was not indicated due to the shallow thickness. My dermatologist and and oncologist said they didn't believe it would have been in my lymph nodes yet anyway. It just took six years to make its way to my lymph nodes. 

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