Melanoma diagnosis?

Smudge · New User Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 6

Last summer the dermotologist found a mole on my back that he thought to be suspicious. It turned out to be melanoma. He stated that it had only penetrated .4mm into my skin, and therefore was a very very minimal risk of it spreading. He then excised a much larger piece out of my back and sent it to the lab. Testing did not reveal any other cancer cells.

I then switched dermotologists. I informed the new dermotologist of my diagnosis and he said that he would like to see me more often. He was able to get my lab results from the pathology lab that did the testing on my mole, and he confirmed that it had only spread .4mm. However, he told me that the pathologist noted on the lab report that "regression was probable." he was confused by this and said that he would want to look at the actual slides of my lab work. He could not figure out why the pathologist would, based on the growth of the cancerous mole, write that regression was probable. Can anyone comment on this or provide suggestions as to what this all means? Thanks

brainman · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:33 pm Post subject: Regression

It is only a guess... the pathologist saw signs that the cells would probably change from a low grade melanoma to a more aggressive, higher grade melanoma. He put that statement in the report so your doctor and you would keep a closer eye on it.

I would ask me doctor about what the pathologist meant.
_________________
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/

Smudge · New User Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 6

[quote="brainman"]It is only a guess... the pathologist saw signs that the cells would probably change from a low grade melanoma to a more aggressive, higher grade melanoma. He put that statement in the report so your doctor and you would keep a closer eye on it.

I would ask me doctor about what the pathologist meant.[/quote]

Ok - is this possible though? When they took out a bigger piece of my skin they did not find any other cancer cells. The doc told me that the cancer only went .4mm into my skin and that he was able to get all of it out. At that time he said that I was basically cured. I then switched doctors and he read the lab report and he could not figure out why they would write "regression: probable" when it appeared as though all of the melanoma/cancer cells were removed. Any other input is much appreciated!

Crystal1111 · Regular Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Florida

It sounds like the regression: probable may be referring to the original mole and not the surrounding tissue. If the surrounding tissue was excised and it had clear margins, then I would think that's a clear sign. Does the pathology report indicate what stage the melanoma was: was it melanoma-in-situ(stage 0), 1,2,3,4 or 5? That's a better indication if you ask me.

brainman · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:58 am Post subject: Re: Melanoma diagnosis?

A pathologist can only describe what s/he sees. It sounds like the pathologist said two things:

1. "The margins are clear of any abnormal cells." (This is GREAT!!! It means that the doctor got all of the cancer.) but
2. "the cells I see look like they could or would get worse (regress).” For many if not most doctors this would be a red flag. It probably means more frequent visits to the doctor if not treatment now to absolutely make sure they got ever single one of those cancer cells.

My thought and prayers continue to be with you and your father.
_________________
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/

	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