Melanoma Diagnosis, Now What?

Melanoma is one of the most common cancers found among young adults, aged 15-29, in the United States and the most deadly if not caught early. There are emerging technologies to help identify a patient’s risk for recurrance and metastisis such as gene expression profiling. We’ll learn about Decision DX-Melanoma, which is a predictive test to help patients make the most informed treatment decisions.
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[@deannagross9283]

In 2014 I had surgery on my right foot to have a large melanoma lesion removed. The doctors found 1mm of cancer in two sentient lymph nodes removed during my surgery. One of the surgeons wanted to remove not only those lymph nodes but others in my right leg and was very upset when I told him NO because I knew it would immediately cause lymphedema. I recently saw my dermatologist who told me he didn’t think I’d be around after 10 years. In the beginning I had PET scans every 3 months and am finally down to once a year. My melanoma was stage 3B. I consider myself very fortunate but still get very anxious and don’t sleep the day before my scan and probably always will. Continue to be proactive with your health. You are your own best advocate.

[@niiphoart8823]

Thank you for this comment. 🙏🏽

[@KayRoseLiving]

You have to be your own advocate in every area of doctors visits.

[@sokhodanhsang7316]

Hi , I'm a retired pharmacist .I'd like to give some information about LA ( local anesthetics ), lidocaine . According to some publications , even a French thesis in 2019 , lidocaine has lot of effectiveness on cell multiplication , even on cells and cancerous tumor , due to its molecular effects on divers biochemical cellular processes ( exchange membrane role , inflammatory paths , Krebs cycle , respiratory chain enzymes . Lidocaine can be used by many routes with of course some cautions ( local massages , oral route , patches , injection , etc . Cancerous cells need lots of power molecules ( ATP ) to multiply , the idea is to use lidocaine according to adaptated protocol ( and the earlier , the best ) to cut off all supplies for neutralizing the production of ATP . It would be a game changer in treating cancers of any kinds ( with adaptated protocol ) , specially at the start . For more details , I'm at your disposal .

[@Stew1962]

I'm here because I was just told that I have melanoma, trying to get as much information as I can. On the schedule to have more area and lymph nodes biopsied.

[@obamabigears734]

In 2006 I was diagnosed with 6mm thick desmoplastic melanoma, 164 treatments with interferon over a 12 month period I’m still here kicking. Oh yeah, I was also told mine was nothing to worry about by two dermatologists.

[@thisisashya5510]

Did you get a 3rd opinion and ended up being proven right? I have it and don’t know what to do?

[@tatianaschoenfield9819]

@@thisisashya5510You can request a biopsy.

[@GregSr]

Years ago, in my early sixties, I saw a strange looking mole on my right forearm. I casually asked my regular doctor what he thought about it. He took one look and his eyes got big. He sent me to a dermatologist. The dermatologist cut the mole out and sent it to a lab. Then I got a call to tell me it IS melanoma and surgery will be necessary. While being prepped for surgery, the doctor could tell that I was not appropriately concerned about the melanoma. He got real serious, looked me in the eye and said, "sir, this could kill you". At that time, I was amazingly ignorant about melanoma. They ended up removing a lot of skin - about 2 inches in diameter and a 1/4 inch deep. They also took a biopsy of the lymph node in my arm pit. Thankfully, that came back benign (negative). They also took some skin from my thigh and grafted it onto the surgery site. My forearm now looks like something took a big bite out of it. Videos like this one do a great job of explaining the seriousness of melanoma.

[@maviewavie2326]

It's interesting (and not in a good way) how many people are told that a skin lesion that is concerning them is NOT worrisome. I know they don't want to go around biopsying everything, but maybe they should be more aggressive about doing them. I am currently moving toward the last chapter of breast cancer treatment. Just finished radiation (had one round of chemo and surgery first), now I will get treatment #7 of 14 of immunotherapy and chemo very specific to the analysis of the tumor. I guess I then get 10 years of a hormone blocker (estrogen). My sentinel lymph nodes were negative, so I will soon be anxious about follow up testing. You're a lovely young lady with a beautiful horse! All the best.

[@lisanevins3605]

A lesion is different than a mole. I'm sure they too show signs of cancer. I live in Canada, a biopsy would be covered under our Universal Health Plan as would treatment so I'm sure this would be done. Of course one wants to get this as soon as possible.

[@lisanevins3605]

The only reason I see it not being biopsied is money, Insurance. This is terrible.

[@obamabigears734]

@@lisanevins3605The doctors decision has nothing to do with the insurance.

[@lisanevins3605]

@@obamabigears734 I'm talking about insurance not Drs

[@jaymom7266]

I just found out I have melanoma cancer last wk. U so worried cus I thought it was just age spots and all my Drs said it was also so I never worried about it.

[@victoriadolton4762]

A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with a large mass in my eye that's Choroidal Melanoma. My eye will be surgically removed. I have had squamous cell CA and had MOHS surgeries before.

[@user-jy4mw3um7v]

I had stage 2 I'm getting discharged from oncology soon

[@atom-real]

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I THINK I HAVE MELANOMA AND IVE HAD IF FOR 10+ YEARS 😭😭 IM ONLY 17 I AINT WANNA DIE YET 😭

[@localbuzzkill1760]

Please go get a skin check by a dermatologist. I’m 23 and was just diagnosed. It was a spot I had for basically my whole life that started changing drastically within the last year

[@andysmith6218]

Go get checked at a skin cancer clinic please.

[@gingerjoy5836]

Thank you for talking about the Decision Dx, that is such important info🙌🏼🩷