What would you do?

Deklon · New User Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 7

Here are my melanoma stats: Mid-back Superficial spreading with early vertical growth. Greatest depth 0.35mm, Clark's Level II because it barely made it below epidermis. No mitosis, no ulceration, no satellitosis. Brisk lymphosites with regression evident from the side. Path report notes "completely excised.

Dermatologist says no need for any further tests except 3 month follow- ups. Primary care physician concurs and says no need for any LDH tests. They have a month old clear CT Scan including abdomen, pelvic, and chest. I know I'm in the 98% category and feel extremely comfortable doing nothing else but follow-ups from here. Would anyone do anything different?

Thank you.

HaoleBoy · Senior User Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 108

[quote="Deklon"]Here are my melanoma stats: Mid-back Superficial spreading with early vertical growth. Greatest depth 0.35mm, Clark's Level II because it barely made it below epidermis. No mitosis, no ulceration, no satellitosis. Brisk lymphosites with regression evident from the side. Path report notes "completely excised.

Dermatologist says no need for any further tests except 3 month follow- ups. Primary care physician concurs and says no need for any LDH tests. They have a month old clear CT Scan including abdomen, pelvic, and chest. I know I'm in the 98% category and feel extremely comfortable doing nothing else but follow-ups from here. Would anyone do anything different?

Thank you.[/quote]

Dek, you need to do your own monthly skin check ..... Did they show you how to palpate your own regional lymph nodes ? And what you're looking for either in the lymph nodes or in the skin check .... i.e. a sub-cutaneous lump. bump, a new primary (10% chance of a new 2nd primary for those of us who have it once already)....

The LDH test really isn't all that useful, but it is protocol for Stage 1A and most if not all health insurance plans cover it..... If one has a recurrence and it isn't caught before the annual LDH becomes significantly higher, then usually there a whole lot of other issues, but still, if it gives you some peace of mind, an annual Chest X-ray and the LDH are supposed to be protocol for Stage IA

Congrats on the good prognosis !

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