Any melanoma experts around?

[Schmeck]

5 year survivor here - with my check-up this Friday (hope I get to keep my spots! Love it when I get out without a new divot!). Looked like melanoma to me, so glad you had it removed ASAP! Next step is a re-excision, and a check of the borders for a clean removal, maybe a lymph node check if the melanoma was of a certain thickness. Take care, and have a wonderful time at WDW!

 

[pjshaff]

After your dh had his surgery - did he have or did they recommend chemo or radiation for preventive measures - if you don't me asking. TIA.

I just asked DH, he didn't have any radiation or chemo after. The Dr removed lymph nodes and dissected them to make sure the melanoma did not spread to those. Fortunately it hadn't. DH said they took out a football shaped specimen about 3" x 1" from his back to check around the melanoma area to make sure it did not spread there as well. He has a scar on his lower back that is about 10" long horizontally.

 

[m&m's mom]

I am awaiting results from a biopsy almost 2 weeks ago. I keep calling and they do not have my results. I have had Basal Cell cancer on my nose 2 years ago and had a total of 4 surgeries in all.
The biopsy I am waiting for now is on the other side of my nose.
My MOHS Surgeon said I was the youngest person he would see all week (I am 43).

The "no alcohol" is to help prevent bleeding. When I had Mohs surgery on my nose for my basal cell, I couldn't have alcohol for the week prior and the week after surgery, nor could I take ibuprofen...both thin the blood. Which sucked because acetaminophen didn't touch the pain once the numbing wore off.

That's interesting. I was never told that before or after my surgery.

OP- Good Luck!

 

[tikilyn]

Glad to hear they got you in!! I had an ugly mole removed two Fridays ago. It was larger than a dime in diameter! It fit the abcde's of Melanoma too. I went to one Derm at the end of Sept that looked at it with his bare eye's and said that it was nothing more than an ugly mole and not to worry. For two days my gut kept telling me that that derm doctor was a quack so I made a second appointment with a new Derm and had my appointment on the 6th of Nov.

The second doctor said it looked like nothing but sense I was on zoloft for anxiety and panic disorder he could remove it for me and send it to the lab, so I wouldn't stress out over it.

Well they called this last Friday and said my labs came back Pre Melanoma! So I guess it wasn't nothing and my gut feeling was right on!! They also said there was nothing more for them to do and if the mole returns to call them and they would see me that day (I guess I'm high priority now). I want to go and see them tomorrow to get some answers to some questions I have. I really just want to tell them to go ahead and remove all my moles. I have a ton of them along with a ton of freakles too.

I say listen to your gut!!

 

[AnnaS]

I just asked DH, he didn't have any radiation or chemo after. The Dr removed lymph nodes and dissected them to make sure the melanoma did not spread to those. Fortunately it hadn't. DH said they took out a football shaped specimen about 3" x 1" from his back to check around the melanoma area to make sure it did not spread there as well. He has a scar on his lower back that is about 10" long horizontally.

I am so happy to hear his lymph nodes were negative and did not spread. Thank you - just wondering since we are going through (what I believe are now the final sages) a rough time now with my bil.

He had the mole removed about 6 years ago and if I remember right some lymph nodes tested positive. He did not have any preventive treatment so we keep wondering if that would have helped since it came back and mestasised (sp?). He was in stage four already when it was discovered again. Not trying to alarm anyone - well of course the usual urging to check them and stay on top of it of course and I hope it never comes back with anyone. On top of this - my mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer and starts her treatments in two weeks.

I want to double check today to see if his lymph nodes were negative or positive. Everyone is now in panic mode and in the blame stage - I think they just past the denial stage.

 

[zakatak]

Just a quick update - OP here...

Still waiting for results. At first I figured No News is Good News, right? Then I remembered that they called 4 days after my first biopsy with the Dysplastic Nevi. They already said they saw abnormal cells with the dermoscope so if it was JUST Dysplastic, why haven't they call already?

I am so stressing over this. I figure if it was bad, they would have called already. Then I figure the above and worry they are testing it out again and again for some reason. Why don't they just CALL ALREADY so I can rest my mind!

Off to call them again. There is NO WAY I am waiting over the holiday for this!

 

[Green Tea]

Good luck. I hope you get the results today (and of course that they are good!)

 

[zakatak]

Results are in: Dysplastic Nevus again. That's good news however they didn't get the margins clean even though they took out .9mm sample (5 stitches).

I am not sure I am going to go back in and have it excised more. There is no direct link that Dysplastic Nevi turn into Melanoma (just a marker) and I really don't want a hunk of hip out over the Holidays! It took forever for my knee to heal (11 stitches and a really ugly scar) - I'd rather not deal with that on my hip.

I will go see a different DERM as I really can't stand this one. The reason he took out as much as he did was so that I didn't HAVE to go back! GRRRRR...

Thanks for everyone's support during this worrisome time for me. I feel much more relaxed albeit a bit mad that they didn't clear the margins the first time. Could be A LOT worse, though so I really am...

Thanks again!

 

[WDWisOurHappyPlace]

'''

 

[AnnaS]

Mary prayers are being said for your brother too.

I posted I believe on the previous page. Something similar with my brother-in-law only the mole was on his stomach. Not sure if he took his time with it, not sure if chemo/radiation was recommended after his surgery. He discovered it 6 years ago - unfortunately it came back less than two years ago and he was in stage IV. It spread everywhere, lungs, pancreas, brain, liver, etc. He is in hospice now - 45 yrs. old.

Just prayers and tell him without alarming him he must stay on top of it and get himself checked when they tell him if not sooner.

Good luck to him and still sending good thoughts for zakatak.

 

[MAKmom]

If you have anything on your face removed go to the PLASTIC Surgeon!!!!

 

[m&m's mom]

Results are in: Dysplastic Nevus again. That's good news however they didn't get the margins clean even though they took out .9mm sample (5 stitches).

I am not sure I am going to go back in and have it excised more. There is no direct link that Dysplastic Nevi turn into Melanoma (just a marker) and I really don't want a hunk of hip out over the Holidays! It took forever for my knee to heal (11 stitches and a really ugly scar) - I'd rather not deal with that on my hip.

I will go see a different DERM as I really can't stand this one. The reason he took out as much as he did was so that I didn't HAVE to go back! GRRRRR...

Thanks for everyone's support during this worrisome time for me. I feel much more relaxed albeit a bit mad that they didn't clear the margins the first time. Could be A LOT worse, though so I really am...

Thanks again!

Just a thought but to make SURE you get clean margins, have MOHS done. You do not leave the office until you have all clean margins.
I went straight from the MOHS surgeon to the Plastic Surgeon the same day.


I posted earlier on this thread I was waiting for my own biopsy results. well they came back basal cell so I guess I get to go through the whole thing again. At least I know what to expect.

 

[m&m's mom]

If you have anything on your face removed go to the PLASTIC Surgeon!!!!

Yep- I had 3 plastic surgeries on my nose and I guess getting ready to start again. The guy thrown in freebies which is nice.

 

[zakatak]

So Sorry m&m's mom!

I'll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts!

 

[m&m's mom]

So Sorry m&m's mom!

I'll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts!

Aawww Thanks!
I should not complain. I only have basal cell and I have been through this before. The hard part for me is having part of my face messed up for so long.
Your face is so much tied to your appearance that your self esteem takes a hit.

 

[mafibisha]

Mary prayers are being said for your brother too.

I posted I believe on the previous page. Something similar with my brother-in-law only the mole was on his stomach. Not sure if he took his time with it, not sure if chemo/radiation was recommended after his surgery. He discovered it 6 years ago - unfortunately it came back less than two years ago and he was in stage IV. It spread everywhere, lungs, pancreas, brain, liver, etc. He is in hospice now - 45 yrs. old.

Just prayers and tell him without alarming him he must stay on top of it and get himself checked when they tell him if not sooner.

Good luck to him and still sending good thoughts for zakatak.

So sorry to hear about your BIL. I will pray for him.

I doubt he had radiation or chemo, as its said they don't work for melanoma.

What it usually given is a *biological* type chemo, called Interferon. Maybe someone here will know more about it?
I know two people who had the treatment, and while it was no picnic, it seemed to work.

I've had basal and mohs so I too am always on the lookout

Skin cancer seems to be much more common these days but it's good that more people are aware of it, too.

 

[mousey]

I have melanoma and have done the interferon, but was unable to finish it because of the side effects. I tried it in 2005 so maybe there has been improvements. At that time they said it would give me an additional 10% chance that the melanoma woud not occur. I have had 2 reoccurances--one in 2006 and one in 2007. So far so good. The last time I had all the lymph nodes removed in the groin (leg melanoma) and other than suffering from lymphodema (excessive fluid & swelling) I have been good.