Newly Diagnosed Melanoma & Anxious
Hello. I have had a spot on the back of my leg for several years. I wasn’t concerned about it b/c it looked identical to one I had below my chin that I had biopsied previously and was fine. Over the summer, my sister urged me to get the one on my leg checked out. I noticed at that time too that it did appear to be darkening in a spot and changing. Of course, I did not rush to the derm as I should have. I then had a mammogram in September that showed slightly swollen lymph nodes, which prompted a repeat diagnostic mammogram. Again, the lymph nodes were still slightly enlarged but the comments just said, “probably benign” and to repeat in several months. I was not thrilled w/ the words ‘probably benign’, but planned on repeating in several months. It then started making me wonder if this could be related to my leg, so finally got the spot checked, which turned out to be melanoma. It appears that the dermatologist got most of it off in the biopsy, but said I need to see a surgeon on Wednesday (thankfully so soon) to determine how deep the melanoma is. She said we will not know until after the surgeon. I guess I am confused since I have been reading how people know what stage melanoma is from the biopsy. It’s a bit confusing to me. I also am obviously concerned if my lymph nodes are affected.
My biopsy report says,
Biopsy Procedure: Biopsy, Shave. Invasiveness: invasive melanoma. Histologic: superficial spreading melanoma (low-cumulative sun damage melanoma). Maximum Tumor (breslow) thickness: At least .2mm. Ulceration: Not identified. Atotomic (Clark) Level: At least II (melanoma present in but does not fill and expand papillary dermis). Mitotic Rate 0/mm2; Microsatellites: Cannot be determined. Lymphovascular Invasion: Not identified. Margin Status for Invasive Melanoma: Deep Margin Positive. Margin Status for Melanoma in Sita: Peripheral and deep margins positive.
AJCC Stagine pT1a: Melanoma <0.8mm in thickness, no ulceration.
Comment: As the lesion extends to the base of the biopsy, the above measured depth is a minimum. Immunostains for S0X10 and Melan-A highlight the invasive and in situ melanoma. HMB45 is positive in the dermal component. Initial and multiple level sections were examined.
Please let me know if you have any insight or opinions from your experience and knowledge to share. Thanks so much.
Thank you for sharing your story and report with us. I understand that your dermatologist is referring your melanoma to a surgeon for further analysis. If this were me, I would do a couple of things. I would ask my dermatologist to explain the biopsy results. I would ask whoever ordered or did the biopsy to go through each finding to my satisfaction. I would also do some research on my own to help gain a clearer understanding. My mindset is to press for answers until I get them. I have always felt that I needed to be my best advocate since I have most at stake. I am sorry that I couldn't be more helpful, but I feel that your medical professionals should be answering your questions. Scott skincancer.net team member
I agree with Scott. You should definitely have a sit down with your dermatologist to discuss your biopsy results. It always sounds so confusing reading them. The cancer center I go to had a symposium on lab results and what it all means and I learned a lot. I feel like that is something that should be better explained to everyone. It looks like a different language to most people who aren’t doctors. I wish you all the best! This community has been wonderful since my Melanoma diagnosis I hope you have the same experience. 
thank you for supporting other members of the community! We are so glad to hear that this group has been helpful following your skin cancer diagnosis!
All my best,
April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator
Hello. Thanks so much for your replies. I met with the surgeon 5 days after my results and am having surgery in one week. They are injecting radioactive dye into the melanoma, removing one or two lymph nodes, and then removing the melanoma down to the fat. Hopefully, I get good results from the sentinel lymph node biopsy. Thanks again.
...we are certainly keeping you in our thoughts as you move forward! I am wishing you all the best as you recover. I hope healing goes quickly and smoothly for you! Hugs, April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator just touching base with you to see how treatment is going. We are keeping you in our thoughts! April, SkinCancer.net, Moderator
