Need another surgery - Cancer: Skin Message Board

Ladypepper · 04-26-2006, 07:40 PM

It is me again... I had the malignant melanoma on the bottom of my foot. I finally had the surgery to remove it April 12th along with a sentinel node biopsy...
I was originally told that I was at a Clarks level IV with a 2.7mm Breslow depth. Since the surgery, I have been "promoted" (LOL) to a Clarks level V with a 3.5mm Breslow depth.
I also need to go and have another surgery. It seems that they didn't get it all and they will have to go in and do a wider excision.

Which is more than likely going to require skin grafts.
I am wondering though if the MM had grown that quickly or if it was always that depth and just not tested in the right spot. ?? Oh well, here I go again. Oh yea, the surgeon also said that chemo and radiation doesn't work with melanoma. Is that true?
Thanks for listening.

Ga Lady · 04-26-2006, 08:48 PM

How did they biopsy it from the beginning? Did they do a punch? If so then that should of set the entire depth. If they done a "shave" then you wont know the true depth since it didnt have clear margins. The best thing that is going for Melanoma Survivors now that I hear is Interferon. Has helped many many people. Just remember keep the faith! I am sorry you are having to go through all this. Keep us posted through your progress. God Bless!

Ladypepper · 04-27-2006, 01:29 AM

Hi Ga Lady ~ Yes they did a punch biopsy in two spots on it. And it was told to me it was 2.7mm from that biopsy. But the biopsy was done the end of January and I didn't have the surgery till the 12th of April... so I was concerned that maybe it had grown more in the meantime since it was now 3.5mm.
I think I may have to wait to talk to the oncologist to get the details because he is the surgeon & kept telling me that there was no staging in melanoma... it was a Clarks level V...

Danialla · 05-11-2006, 07:23 PM

I cannot stress enough the need to get into a clinical trial for the treatment of melanoma, especially with your clark and breslow level.

Our you close to a large teaching hospital? Please research trials on the NIH site and get yourself with a good oncologist.

Keep us posted........and take care!!!

Ladypepper · 05-14-2006, 12:02 AM

I have heard people talking about clinical trials but didn't think it would be something for me. In reality my surgeon isn't too concerned. I called them again yesterday to find out if the surgery had been scheduled and they said, Nope, call back Wednesday to see if you are scheduled for the next week! :\

I am pretty frustrated cause now it is a month later and I was told to that the next surgery was going to be done in a couple weeks... I know they don't care and when I ask about the time passing, they act like I am being paranod. Maybe I am... I don't know.

About the clinical trials, are they covered by most insurance? Cause I have state insurance right now and they don't like to pay for anything. LOL