I've been diagnosed with Melanoma

lindenbridge612 · New User Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

I am 25 years old. My primary doctor recently performed a biopsy on my left wrist to remove a suspicious dark freckle/mole. The biopsy came back positive for Melanoma, and he referred me to a plastic surgeon for a wider incision. During the consultation appointment, the plastic surgeon told me that they caught the cancer early, and that I have the most benign form of Melanoma because the tumor wasn't embedded very deep into my skin. However, he wants to perform another, deeper incision and remove more skin from that area to ensure that the cancer never returns. He says that there is a risk of minor nerve damage in my wrist and the chance cutting a vein, but if I don't go through with the procedure, he says that there is a chance that the cancer could return and spread and that I could die from it.

Whether I decide to have the procedure done or not, I have to wait until I speak to my hematologist to make sure my bleeding (clotting) disorder won't be a problem.

Has anyone ever had a second, deeper incision made before? It is really a necessary procedure? Are there any risks in getting the procedure I should be aware of? Is there any other information I need to know.
_________________
~Linden

brainman

Hi Linden, almost everyone with a melanoma has to have a deeper incision after the original biopsy comes back positive. I do not know specifically about you, but the dangers that the doctor has warned you about are common warnings for most surgeries. You might what to talk further with your own doctor about how likely it is for you to have on of those complications. I would think that you have a greater danger of the melanoma returning. Even if one of the two complications occurs, that would be much better than the melanoma returning... possible to a more vital organ like your lungs. I would think that dealing with nerve damage or bleeding would be easier to live with than a melanoma that has metastasized.

You are in my thoughts and prayers as you try to make this difficult decision.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

timeflies · New User Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 3

Hi Linden,
I read your story. Thanks for sharing.

Linden, with all due respects, your story is not an uncommon one. I think you are fortunate in that the tumor was not very deep. The best scenario, of course, is that it hasn't protruded into the epidermis. If this is the case then there is very little to be concerned about.

However, if it were me, I would still be having the wider incision. The wider incision is simply to make sure that they got it all. If they didn't there is every possibility that it could spread to other parts of the body. The wider incision is to lessen the risk of this occuring. I simply don't trust these things and at this stage of technology the only way to deal with them is remove. The wider incision is common practice when it comes to melanoma for this reason alone.

But the decision is all yours. I guess one thing to think about is peace of mind. If you don't have the op. done will you always be wondering whether or not they got the whole thing with the first op. for removal? As Jim said, even if there are complications with the second op. that would be easier to handle than the melanoma spreading to other areas of your body.

Linden, i wish you all the very best with this and just hope that you get good specialist help. I think that is very important. If you have any more questions that i can be of any more help with please do not hesitate to ask. Of course, all questions should be posed to your doctors first but perhaps we, at this forum, if nothing else, can be a little support.

Take care, mate.

Rob.

lindenbridge612 · New User Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

After looking at the report, I decided to go through with the wider incision, and the plastic surgeon found that the melanoma was gone Smile

_________________
~Linden

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Melanoma and Skin Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others