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rmaureen
Experienced user
Joined: 06 Oct 2005
Posts: 84
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 Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject: Question about surgical procedure vs. biopsy. |
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Hi,
I was wondering if this is typical for identifying melanoma. First of all, i am on government health insurance, and this often effects the quality of treatment i get. I was diagnosed with stage 3-c uterine cancer in Sept 2005. A recent cat scan showed everything to be fine, except the nurse said there was the appearance of fluid--she claimed to be normal. My oncologist never called.
For about 5 or 6 years i had a bump on my arm, (i was the working uninsured then), and just recently this addressed by my oncologist. He referred me to a surgeon (for lack of a better way of putting--a very arrogant man with a very bad disposition) who told me last week he would perform either a biopsy or just cut the raised bump out. He also identified a swollen lymph node near my elbow. Today, March 3 they informed me i was scheduled for surgery for March 5. Now, i assume a pathology report will be issued afterwards, but is this common for surgery to be elected, and a biopsy not be performed? He told me last week it would be either one, but i really havnt found any definitive answers as to whether this is normal, although he said either way was ok. Thanks for any suggestions.
Rhonda |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3457
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Question about surgical procedure vs. biopsy. |
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Hi Rhonda. Yes, it is common not to biopsy a node but to totally remove it since there is a significant danger of a false negative in a biopsy. If it is swollen to the point of needing one or the other, go for totally removing it.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
Question, why did you post this to the Melanoma Forum and not the Lymphoma Forum? Was it just an error? If so, I can move it for you. Just let me know.
_________________
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/ |
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rmaureen
Experienced user
Joined: 06 Oct 2005
Posts: 84
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:24 am Post subject: Re: Question about surgical procedure vs. biopsy. |
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Hi Brainman,
Thanks so much for your reply. This surgeon saw the bump, and said "this looks like it can be a melanoma", and then he felt the node behind my elbow, and after questioning him, he said it was swollen. I dont think they are even going to address the lymph node tomorrow, just remove this big bump on my arm. That's why i posted this here, but please move it to the most accurate forum. I don't know anything about melanoma or lymphoma, so i just posted it here.
 Thank you so much, and for all you do here for the people on this forum, and for your very helpful response. You are a real blessing to so many people.
Take care,
Rhonda |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3457
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:49 am Post subject: Re: Question about surgical procedure vs. biopsy. |
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Rhonda, as we say in Portuguese, de nada (for nothing)  . Glad to help in any way that I can.
I misunderstood and thought it was surgery to remove the node. But the same goes for the skin "bumb"; it is just as easy to remove the whole thing while you are at it as to do a biopsy. The difference is that a biopsy of a potential melanoma has less potential of a false negative.
_________________
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/ |
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rmaureen
Experienced user
Joined: 06 Oct 2005
Posts: 84
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: Question about surgical procedure vs. biopsy. |
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Hi,
Just to update, The lesion was benign, although i will not see the doctor to take my stitches out until two days from now. Still need to find out about the swollen lymph node, but believing for good news.
Rhonda |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3457
Location: Tennessee
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