questions about malignant melinoma - Cancer: Skin Message Board

YankeeRoseO1 · 09-17-2007, 12:15 PM

Hi,
A friend of mine who lives in the UK was recently diagnosed with a malignant melinoma. He has to go to the hospital to have more of the area removed, and some blood work done. I asked him about what stage the melinoma was, and he said it was not mentioned to him on the report.
Can anyone tell me about the different stages of melinoma and what it all means?
His health has been fine, till this point, and went to have the mole removed because it looked as though it had changed.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx
Rose

aimees71 · 09-18-2007, 10:03 PM

Hi Rose,

Sorry to hear about your friend. It is a scary diagnosis to receive, especially when you don't have all the answers.

There are many stages of Melanoma. If you search the web for Melanoma most web sites will have a way to help you stage it. There are a number of contributing factors. For example, you'll need to know if was ulcerating or non-ulcerating (kind of opening into a sore, but I think this can be microscopic and not always evident to the naked eye), the Breslow's thickness (how deeply the tumor penetrated), etc. The stage will then dictate the type of treatment your friend will receive. A wide excission (having more skin removed) is normal treatment for melanoma.

You and your friend are in my thoughts. I hope the stage is early and the wide excission goes well. Keep us posted.

YankeeRoseO1 · 09-19-2007, 05:31 AM

Hi Aimees,
thank you so much for responding to my message.
This is all so new to me, and unfortunately, I do not know too much about this disease. I live in the states, and my friend is in the UK, so it makes it even that much harder for me to be supportive and to always get the information. But, I want to educate myself on this as much as possible so that I can be as supportive to him as much as I can.
He went to the hospital yesterday, and they looked at other moles that he has, and they all appear to be okay. I believe they did some blood tests on him as well. He has to go to a plastic surgeon later this week, to have the area looked at. It is on his back. He mentioned to me, that they will excise a larger area and go deeper. I am assuming that his area will be examined for any changes as well, am I correct?
I do not know if it was ulcerating. All I know is that it was changing, and on his back. He told me yesterday, that it was 4mm long. ( from what i have read on these boards, this seems rather large, and this frightens me.) I am assuming, that he means, that is how deep the incision went. He also told me that he will have to go for checks every three months for ten years. I am not sure what they plan on doing at these "checks".
I am very concerned, and afraid. I can only imagine what he is going thru right now, and I know there isnt much I can do for him, but I want to be here for him, and know as much as possible about this as I can...This diagnosis shocked me. Thank you again for responding to my post.
Prayers are appreciated!
Thanx again
Rose