Early Stage Melanoma: Your Questions Answered

Receiving a diagnosis of early stage (Stage I or II) melanoma can be overwhelming, so Melanoma Institute Australia has produced this informative video for newly diagnosed patients.
Listen to MIA’s Prof Georgina Long AO (Medical Oncologist) and Dr Tom Pennington (Surgical Oncologist) as they answer the most commonly asked questions about an early stage melanoma diagnosis, such as:
(click on the time to go straight to that question)
00:00 - Introduction
02:11 - "What does early stage melanoma actually mean?"
04:33 - “What are lymph nodes?”
05:01 - “What is a wider margin and why do I need more surgery?”
06:32 - “If melanoma has been removed, can it still spread?”
08:22 - “How will I know if my melanoma has spread?”
10:57 - “What happens if my sentinel lymph node is positive?”
11:41 - “Does a negative sentinel node guarantee that the melanoma hasn’t spread?”
12:15 - “What treatment options are available to me?”
13:49 - “What can I do to ensure I have the best outcome?”
15:40 - “What happens if my melanoma comes back?”
16:23 - “Can I do anything to help my treatment work better?”
For more information see: melanoma.org.au
Please note that the content was accurate at time of publishing (August 2021) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

[@andrewmacgill4122]

Superb resource! Thank you!!

[@mariofilippi3539]

Unquestionably the best early stage melanoma video produced to date, thanks very much.

[@richardjanuary5168]

This is easily the most helpful video I've watched since my diagnosis. Thank you and well done, Georgina.

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

Richard, thank you for taking the time to give your lovely feedback, and we wish you all the best for your melanoma treatment.

[@scene2428]

I recently had a melanoma scare, and I am so thankful and appreciative for the work your institute does. I hope you all know just how treasured a service you are providing to so many people who are facing seemingly terrifying circumstances.

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

Thank you so much and we hope all is OK with you.

[@IVORY123100]

I had a melanoma scare which turned out to be reality . Should have seen the look on my oncologist face when he told me It had spread to my brain and was Stage 4 . . He would later tell me " They are surprised I am still alive "

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

@@IVORY123100 Hope you are well now.

[@MegaDwilkinson]

Crystal clear, beautifully presented

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

Thank you David!

[@margaretodeniyi3062]

Thanks. So. Much.

[@johnpinto3857]

Excellent explanation . thank you .

[@eamonbreathnach4613]

Well explained

[@johnnyappleseedz422]

Great video. Unfortunately when I asked to see a nutritionist or dietician, the Doctor I spoke with said that wasn't necessary. And due to so much conflicting information online is, "What can I eat, what should I avoid" another doctor said "Eat what you want." I swear, there are too many doctors that conflict each other and rely on a frame piece of paper hanging on their wall as their knowledge and experience. Yet in this video, it is clearly stated "Mediterranean Diet" (Just like the BaleDoneen Method states).

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Yes skin cancer also involves dermatology along with the usual people you'd expect to find involved in cancer.They also deal with rare cancers like Mycosis Fungoides which are Lymphomas which,in the early stages at least, manifest on the skin looking like ezecma or psoriasis.

[@IVORY123100]

I went to see a Dr years ago . " Ah . It's just a fungal infection " . Turned out to be full blown Stage 4 Melanoma a year later . Spread to My brain . Had my thumb amputated , chest port surgically implanted , To date about 16 scans . MRI ,CT ,PET . Seemingly a 1000 needles ,35 infusions ,Truebeam and about 100 hospital visits.. . I think fondly about that caring Dr in the past .. " I hope you have a great life, great golf outings and eat at the finest restaurants " ...

[@scene2428]

This is why I firmly encourage people to get a 2nd opinion from a Skin Cancer Specialist (specialised dermatologist) instead of trusting their general doctor's opinion if they declare it harmless. Like you, my general doctor looked at the mole and within a few seconds said "don't worry, it's harmless" with complete confidence. I still felt uneasy, but ended up waiting several months to get it looked at by the specialist, who was also slightly skeptical, but still did a biopsy on the basis that I thought it had "gotten blacker" over approx. ~1 year. And waddaya know, the biopsy came back positive for melanoma! Thankfully it was still "in-situ", however my general doctor's confidently wrong opinion could've very well gotten me killed. I am so glad I went for a 2nd opinion, but should have done it MUCH sooner! It was sheer luck that it hadn't advanced to a higher stage during those several months.

[@hansinyo5872]

MasyaAlah. Thank you for sharing! I hope you and your family are doing great! ❤

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

We encourage everyone to 'know the skin you're in' and if you've noticed changes or feel something isn't right seek a second opinion.

[@alliecatnz]

Thank you for this clear video, I booked my husband in to get some of his checked as I was positive he had some dodgy ones. I was lucky I booked in too because the Dr spotted a small freckle on my back low hip area which is slightly raised with a discoloured tail. Booked in to have it removed asap and biopsied. Very thankful we both went and impressed that he clearly knew what he was looking at straight away. There was no doubt to him it looked suspicious and I would of never known. Currently planning to try for a second child but thinking of putting life on hold until we know what the plan is, if any. I like to be informed so I don’t panic and this video helped me understand exactly how the journey starts. I just wish these checks were like visiting the dentist twice a year as I had the preconception that it was something to worry about when I’m older.

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

Thank you for sharing your story. Yes, melanoma can affect all ages and it's important to know the skin you're in. 90% of melanomas are cured by surgery if detected early. Hope all is well. Best wishes.

[@IVORY123100]

Melanoma can turn a life upside down . I went in to get my thumb looked at . Under the thumb nail it was getting dark and the nail was crumbling .. The Dr told me It was a fungal infection . I even asked " Can this be possibly melanoma ? " . And was told No !! . It got worse and bled one day after I hit it . Went to a hand surgeon a year later . Biopsied . Melanoma . Quickly they biopsied my lymphs , scanned my body and brain . It had spread to my brain .Stage 4 . Been 2 1/2 years . 16 scans , 32 infusions ,seemingly a 1000 needles , amputation of thumb ,chest port ,. Over a,$1,000,000 in medical . . It was just a thumb

[@digitalstreetdog6569]

My mother is affected with desmoplastic melonama what's it's diagnostic?

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

Hello I'm sorry we cannot give medical advice on this channel. Very best wishes to your mother.

[@user-my8yz9md1i]

What is medicine for melonoma,I can see both hands of my body am in zambia

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

Hello I'm sorry we cannot provide individual medical advice on this channel. I hope you can see a doctor.

[@hanumanprasad7866]

My wife Aruna diagnosed with melanoma yesterday/After biopsy of a week in India /3mm is thickness and first seen on the last finger of left foot on down side one month ago.3mm means 2B stage?!

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

We are sorry to hear about Aruna being diagnosed with melanoma. It is good that it was detected, and we wish her a good recovery following surgery.

[@jsjj]

Her first name is Professor?

[@MelanomaInstituteAustralia]

Professor Georgina Long. Her first name is Georgina.

[@jsjj]

@@MelanomaInstituteAustralia Oh I get confused when people say my name is and then put their profession first and then their actual name. Kooky.