Finally got the results

inkworks · Regular Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

They're not great. My Mum was diagnosed with melanoma, breslow 1.2, no ulceration. She has been referred to a plastic surgeon to get the WLE.

Any advice would be very helpful. I am looking to find a website that can tell me my mums stage and survival rate.

I also asked the doctor about doing a SNB with the WLE but he said they don't do them because there is no evidence to suggest they actually work. Would you agree with this? My mum seems to be hiding her head in the sand and doesn't know anything about melanoma which makes me think she will just go along with anything the doctor says.

thanks

ksplat · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject: Finally got the results

Hi INkworks
Sorry to hear the bad news on the diagnosis for your Mum.
I know little about melanoma, although my Bro had a very small one removed from his back about 5yrs ago & hasn't had anything further done (although he now has malignant brain cancer which is not related apparently).
I'm sure you will get some info & support for this post soon. I hope you find the answers you seek.
Congratulations on being your Mum's advocate & may God Bless you in your efforts.
Your family are in my prayers & thoughts.
Cheers, Aussie Angie.
_________________
Brother has GBMIV
Diagnosed Feb 07
46 Yrs young!
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

Jim_Hall · Regular Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 48

Sorry to hear the bad news. My breslow was 1.5, also no ulceration. I'm assuming the melanoma is on her head, since she's been reffered to a plastic surgeon? My melanoma was in my eyebrow. I was reffered to a cancer surgeon who didn't want to deal with my situation so he reffered me to a plastic surgeon, which I didn't take that route either. I finally ended up doing something called Mohs surgery: http://www.mohssurgery.org/New/Patient_publicResources/PatientIndex.html There's a pdf at the bottom that explains in more detail.

I know that Mohs Surgery is not recommended for melanoma patients because it can be difficult to detect the melanoma cells; it's usually reserved for squamous cell carinoma, basal cell, etc. Yet I guess it was done to save as much skin on my face since I'm young. I've talked to other melanoma patients who have said I shouldn't have done it. But so far I'm almost 2 years with no recurrence as of the 20th. I know the WLE does take out more skin, I guess it just depends on whether or not she wants that done.

They usually do a SNB when the breslow is 1.0 mm or more. They never discussed this with me. So later, I asked them and they said since it was on my head it would have an irregular draining pattern to my lymph nodes. In other words, it would be difficult to determine which one was affected to examine. So I didn't have a SNB. I would recommend post your question at http://mpip.org/bb/bbindex.html

inkworks · Regular Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

Thanks guys.

My mums mole was actually on her leg just above her knee. I'm not sure why she is being sent to a plastic surgeon. I'm assuming it wouldn't make a difference?

Jim_Hall · Regular Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 48

From my experience with others that have had it in that area it seems that they would have a SNB probably in the groin area. So I'm not exactly sure why they're telling you this. Of course, I'm not a doctor. The SNB can have side affects like lymphedema. But I've read and heard that if you're not sure it's always best to get a second opinion from another doctor. She should probably also get a copy of the pathology report for her records.

I think according to the thickness they make certain measurments and even take more skin to remove the cancer, that's how they determine how much to take out. If it were me I wouldn't be going to a plastic surgeon just becasue I don't feel they have enough experience with melanoma. But I'm sure that her doctor feels different since he reffered her to one. So I dunno.

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