Last week, my boyfriend was diagnosed with
nodular melanoma, a form of malignant
melanoma. The tumor has a diameter of
4mm but we do not yet know the thickness.
The doctor said he was between a "level
ii and level iii" and that he has a 70%
cure rate if it was caught in the early
stages. My boyfriend had a pet scan 2
days ago but the report has not yet been
read. He is extremely anxious and
depressed because of the waiting game.
Please help me answer the following
questions as his doctor seems to be little
help.
First, what timeframe can define "early
stages"? 3 months? 6 months? 1
year?
Second, how long does it typically take to
spread to other organs?
Please, any information or positive
answers would help us both tremendously
and help him at least get some sleep until
we have conclusive answers. Thank you
|
Fairy*Godmother
Supporter
Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 1422 Location: , Georgia USA
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Melanoma 4 Years Ago! Posted: 10-14-04 21:11pm
Hi, just found your concerned questions.
I hope by now you and your boyfriend have
found some positive answers. 4 years ago,
I though i'd found a deer tick on the back
of my left upper leg. It turned out to be
a malignant melanoma. It was also about
4mm. Went to emory univ. In atlanta for
surgery. Also opted for the lymph node
check, thats done in case a microscopic
cancer cell should have escaped
during/after the surgery, it would have
traveled first to the closest lymph node,
which happened to be on left side of my
groin (sweet!). Had 3 lymph nodes removed
and those came back "clean". I had a tiny
deer tick size tumor, which resulted in a
7 inch scar on the back of my leg. I
believe its called the mohs surgery, a
punch type ,because this type cancer grows
more downward and then spreads outward.
Was the size of a silver dollar or larger.
I had no body fat so they had to kinda
stretch the skin. It looks ok now. I am
still alive. I go every year for chest
xrays and blood work, also a total body
scan with dermotologist every year. I am
not sure of the questions you ask, I do
know if once you find something
suspecious, the faster you go and have it
checked, its almost 100% taken care of. I
just wanted you both to know, you are
never alone, there are lots of us who have
had to go thru this and our prayers are
with you! Not a really painful surgery
either. The scary part is the not knowing
and understanding. Please keep me
informed????????I just feel in my heart
your both gonna be just fine! I'll wave
my magic wand and say special prayers for
you both!
