It's Melanoma, Now What?

[@IVORY123100]

Wow .I got a deeper understanding of what's going on . I have stage 4 melanoma . Everything you explained is exactly what I have been going through . The surgeries . Truebeam . Immunotherapy and many oncologist . My cancer spread to the brain . Last year when everything was being revealed .. I was told " Treatments have changed " and had it been 5 years ago .. I wouldn't be here . My Melanoma started in my thumbnail . It had started to turn darker . Went to a Dr and told it was a Fungal infection . I even inquired . " Can this be melanoma ? " went on for a year and the nail crumbled away . Being a tough guy . I dealt with it until I injured it and it bled . Went to a hand surgeon and told me it looked like melanoma .. Later the worst he has ever seen . I got the calls Cancer . Until after surgeries I got the news . Stage 4 . I am doing relatively good . Love the Dr and nurses and really am amazed how coordinated and masterful they are . Thanks for the video .. Anytime I am with all of my oncologist .. I listen as best I can and try to understand . I actually see the joy in them trying to help me battle it all . Peace Stephen

[@NYC_Urbanista]

Wishing you all of the best. It sounds like you have a great team behind you!

[@user-eg1ss7im6q]

which surgery help you?

[@IVORY123100]

@@user-eg1ss7im6q The surgery was amputation of my thumb . Another minor surgery of a port being placed inside my chest . For infusions .

[@user-eg1ss7im6q]

@@IVORY123100 did it come back after amputation? or you are totally fine now?

[@IVORY123100]

@@user-eg1ss7im6q It had already spread .to the brain . Amputation kept it from spreading further in my hand . Now the battle was where it had gone . It went and formed 3 brain tumors that they basically vaporized with focused proton therapy " Truebeam " and have monitored every 3 months with MRI's and CT scans . . I continue with infusions to this day . I was told that Stage 4 doesn't go into remission . I have No Evidence of Disease now and constantly monitoring for growth in the brain or anywhere else in the body . So far the cancer is undetectable at this moment in time .

[@MartyinPS]

Thanks for explaining all the stages. I'd never get that much out of a Dr visit. Found out I have a melanoma on my back and doing a Sentinal biopsy as well. Thanks for clarifying all this. For me this started with a biopsy last Aug 2023 and has taken this long, finally a surgery date in March 2024. 🙂

[@jasonfuller1001]

Extremely useful information, thank you so much. Just diagnosed with a .9mm melanoma and waiting for my sentinel lymph node biopsy appointment. Crossing my fingers.

[@sokhodanhsang7316]

Hi , I' am a retired phamarcist .I'd like to give some information about LA ( local anesthetics ) lidocaine .According to some publications and even a 2019 French thesis , lidocaine has great effectiveness on cell multiplication , so specially on cancerous cell and tumour , due to its multiple effects on divers cell biochemical processes : exchange membrane role , inflammatory paths , Krebs cycle , respiratory chain enzymes . Cancerous cells need lots of power molecule ATP to multiply , the idea is to stop the production of ATP with lidocaine ( many routes : local , oral , patch , injections ) under adaptated protocol , lidocaine would be a game changer in treating cancers of any kinds ( based on the same phenomenon of multiplication ) , the earlier , the best . For more details I' m at disposal

[@nitzaberrios9021]

Thank you. I really needed to hear all this It gives me more understanding about my melanoma.

[@thepuglady3931]

This is very helpful!! Thank you!

[@MsSony12345]

Thank you..great video! You explained this very well!

[@edigalvao]

Gratitude Doctor. I had a BReslow 0.4mm - 3 Clark. Thanks for this very great video. I feel that I just escaped a very dangerous path. My cancer was in my back, under the omoplate.

[@readingsbydeblove]

Thank you for this amazingly informative video. You have helped so many patients and their families. Thank you 🙏

[@lifeandtext]

Very clearly presented. Thank you!

[@EliGram71]

Thank you so much for this very informative, precise and clearly presented video. Diagnosed w/melanoma in late 2022 and a year later brown color has returned where my WLE scar is. So had biopsy and now going to meet with dermatologist specialist at the melanoma multidisciplinary oncology unit at U of M. Not sure where I stand yet.

[@kyukyulin1305]

Very informative, thank you for the video!

[@jeffford181]

Excellent presentation sir. Thank you.

[@bronwyntaylor5188]

Very informative. Thankyou.

[@melodylanni4216]

Thank you for this, I am getting ready to go have tissue and lymph nodes removed as my melanoma was 2mm so this has helped me understand exactly what the procedure entails. It has answered some of my questions.

[@invisible1226]

Have exposed that area in Sunlight?

[@NYC_Urbanista]

Please let us know how you are doing 🙏🏼

[@tacocruiser4238]

I had a dream that i had stage 4 melanoma. But then I woke up and it wasn't true. Thank God!

[@commoveo1]

Just wanted to say Thank You MD Anderson . Mainly for speaking to everyone with respect. Not like we are just of old farts lol. ✨🥂✨🥂🇺🇸✨

[@RiverLovegood]

Scary but kind of reassuring to know all this. Thank you

[@graham907]

Very interesting video and very informative thank you. I'm at present waiting for my biopsy results following my Sentenial Lymph Node and Local Wide Excision procedures.

[@TheMind11111]

Hey there 10 days ago I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, I'm now scheduled for further exams the 8th of October. The doctor that diagnosed me said that he suspects it's In Situ but that he couldn't be a 100 % sure. From what I've read and researched thus far, you can't find a lot of positive information about thos diagnosis. I just pray it's not too serious. Good luck to everyone going through the same thing.

[@margaretmaskara9002]

me too in lymph nodes in neck and groin for me. starting immunotherapy soon.

[@kandacepatterson7965]

​@@margaretmaskara9002 how are you doing now?

[@margaretmaskara9002]

@@kandacepatterson7965 thanks for asking. first off it is actually my husband. (Made a mistake on representation there) However, after about a yr and a half Keytruda has kicked in nicely and all areas of concern are stabilized or shrinking. mid way thru had to go to UNC Chapel Hill periodically for a few months to receive a treatment called TVEC to handle growth in neck. Just on Keytruda now and luckily all side effects have subsided as well. trending at a very good level right now.

[@kandacepatterson7965]

@@margaretmaskara9002 im so happy for you!!🩵

[@margaretmaskara9002]

@@kandacepatterson7965 thank you, so VERY much.

[@KomengDeBatiste]

This really helps. My mom passed away 6 months after her CRC stage 4 diagnosis in 2020, and the pathology section in this lecture helps me now understand certain symptoms she went through. As for melanoma, I'm now well informed as to be vigilant for signs dues to my active outdoor lifestyle. Thanks!

[@mikemmcd77]

Thank you doctor for the informative information on melanoma. I am a stage 1a melanoma survivor who hopes to never have more melanoma

[@ericavago8057]

Well explained thank you

[@rvp1686]

Thank you doc

[@Chellnicole123]

Getting ready for round 2 of WLE/CLB: praying for negative margins and no positive lymph nodes 🙏🏼

[@rebeccawright5987]

Good luck! I hope everything went well!

[@jameslightfoot9465]

Praying for you Michelle

[@johnlaursen6080]

I remember that radioactive tracer dye they injected into me was painful. My melanoma was just under my chest and I had a few lymph nodes removed. That was nearly 30 years ago, now I might have to go through this again as I may have melanoma again. I had 11 biopsies done to today and two spots the doctor biopsied were of concern to her. I'm now waiting on the results of the biopsies.

[@dar7230]

I was told Pet scan was not painful. I think oncologist is minimizing things. I refuse to have lymph nodes biopsied Ignorance is bliss imo❤❤❤❤❤

[@johnlaursen6080]

Ok a short follow-up. I got the results of my biopsies, ten were Basile cell carcinomas and one the one the doctor was concerned about turned out to be only a mole. I had 5 of these scraped and burned, and three removed with surgery. (Not all at the same time mind you, but spread out over a few weeks). I will be having the last two surgically remove next week, (1/22/24).

[@carlosue5472]

@@johnlaursen6080so happy to hear you’re doing well!

[@brianleitner4757]

Stage 3D four years now. Currently trying Pembro, with TAVO and electric shocks. So far it is working.

[@gaylea.griffin9733]

I just found out I’ve got melanoma on my shoulder. I’m seeing a oncologist surgeon Tuesday at MD Anderson. Ty for the video I’m a nervous wreck.

[@jameslightfoot9465]

Hope all is well… praying for you Gayle

[@Over65Retired]

Excellent Video

[@AIMatMelanoma]

Thank you very much!

[@NYC_Urbanista]

Thank you for this video. I’m currently going through the staging process & awaiting the results from my Sentinel Node Biopsy. I found this information very helpful 🙏🏼

[@gina-mariecarr3488]

Any update you're willing to give? My Fiancee has a 2.5mm malignant melanoma and I'm scared to death. We're waiting until next Tues to see a surgeon for pre-op .. the derm has asked me to ask for a sentinel node biopsy. Is that performed the same day as the removal of the melanoma?

[@NYC_Urbanista]

@@gina-mariecarr3488 I'm so sorry for what you are & your fiancee are going through. The staging process is certainly scary as there are so many unknowns & the waiting for results can feel like forever. I imagine at the pre-op appointment, the surgeon will discuss options for the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy with you. Mine was done on the same day as the wide margin excision of the melanoma. I will say for me personally, the recovery from the lymph node surgery was more difficult than the actual excision. My lymph node biopsy was negative, however I have a new "lump" that has developed just a few centimeters from the initial melanoma, so it looks as if I'm starting all over again, unfortunately. I will keep you & your fiancee in my thoughts. Please let me know how things turn out. Wishing you all the best.

[@dar7230]

​@@NYC_UrbanistaI am refusing lymph node biopsy and if surgeon disagrees I will opt for no treatment I refuse to go through that

[@NYC_Urbanista]

@@gina-mariecarr3488 I'm so sorry for just now seeing your message. I will still give you an update though, as it's been a fluid situation since my initial diagnosis 2 yrs ago. I imagine your fiance had the Sentinel node biopsy? If so, I hope it went well & the results were negative. My results were negative, however, several months after my excision, I had a recurrence & quickly went from Stage 1B to Stage 3B. I just completed my thirteenth round of Immunotherapy & my last set of scans showed NED ( no evidence of disease ). I'll continue to have scans every three months in hopes it doesn't return. If you see this message, please let me know how your Fiance is doing & you, too!

[@NYC_Urbanista]

@@dar7230 Honestly, the Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy is not bad at all as they typically only take a couple of nodes to see if the cancer has spread. It's typically done at the same time as the excision so you'd already be under anesthesia. I did have some pain but it resolved within a few days. It is very helpful in determining the stage of your cancer & the best treatment plan. I wish you the best of luck. Please let me know how things go & if you need someone to talk to, I am here for you.

[@hazelannhtd4lifer852]

I am going to dermatologist on 4th of march for a suspected nodular melanoma

[@CarolynDenison]

My PCP told me it's in my lymph-nodes, but hasn't had the talk with me yet. Mine is on my face. IDK hoe they get AWAY MAKING ME WAIT. I have a tumor in my brain too. I'm over here freaking out...

[@singinprofessor5260]

H r u feeling? Sending u warm hugs and good vibes 💕🙏🏻

[@gina-mariecarr3488]

PCP should not have diagnosed you improperly I'm sorry that they told you that. Sometimes lymph nodes are swollen just bc they're fighting a small infection or if you're sick. I was also told I had lymphoma and it was malignant bc my nodes were swollen.. turns out I had one overgrown lymph node due to a bad tooth infection and never had cancer after sooo much stress and waiting. Now I'm dealing with my fiancees PCP telling him it was just in SITU meanwhile it is a 2.5mm .. hopefully it hasn't yet spread but the waiting sucks. I'm wondering if the dentist node biopsy happens the same day as the removal of the melanoma

[@cgdrider]

What about Ivermectin for treating and stopping the spread of Melanoma?

[@NeTxGrl]

I've had two melanoma in situ's in my life.

[@user-eg1ss7im6q]

please advise the treatment for stage 0 ?

[@saboabbas123]

excision of the tumor

[@saboabbas123]

and dermatological screenings every 3 months

[@sharonmitchel1377]

@@saboabbas123can this be delayed for a month and a half because of a scheduled upcoming surgery?

[@saboabbas123]

what stage do you have? Have you discussed this with your dermatologist? @@sharonmitchel1377

[@kandacepatterson7965]

EVERYONE SHOULD BE ASLEEP WHILE anything with lymph nodes is going on. Friends have told me that is more painful than mastectomy.

[@sharonmitchel1377]

Wow!

[@user-jy4mw3um7v]

I’m stage 3 😢 I’m so scared