clairemharvey

Report:

Diagnosis: Melanoma, non ulcerated, Nodular Type, Clarks Level II/III, Breslow thickness 0.6mm (172.7)

Microscopic description

sections show a proliferation of atypical epithelioid melanocytes arrayed along the dermoepidermal junctions as single cells and regular/irregular sized/shaped nests with pagetoid migration evident. Nests of similar appearing cells are present in the subajacent dermis. There is chronic inflammation in the superficial dermis. No mitotic figures are apparent in the dermal component.

That's it. No discussion of margins. I have since read that it is not mandatory to include info on margins, but I have also read that residual cancer findings in the WLE can result in upstaging of the tumor. If my entire treatment protocol rests on this thickness, it would seem an important component of the path report! Seems a little lacking, in my humble, but frightened opinion.

Report:

Diagnosis: Melanoma, non ulcerated, Nodular Type, Clarks Level II/III, Breslow thickness 0.6mm (172.7)

Microscopic description

sections show a proliferation of atypical epithelioid melanocytes arrayed along the dermoepidermal junctions as single cells and regular/irregular sized/shaped nests with pagetoid migration evident. Nests of similar appearing cells are present in the subajacent dermis. There is chronic inflammation in the superficial dermis. No mitotic figures are apparent in the dermal component.

That's it. No discussion of margins. I have since read that it is not mandatory to include info on margins, but I have also read that residual cancer findings in the WLE can result in upstaging of the tumor. If my entire treatment protocol rests on this thickness, it would seem an important component of the path report! Seems a little lacking, in my humble, but frightened opinion.