Clarks Stage 4

My father was diagnosed with Clarks Stage 4 melanoma last week.  We are just starting the process and I have been reading a lot about it.  I read somewhere that the clarks level of staging is not as widely used anymore because there a more accurate staging.  When everyone talks about level 4, what kind of level are you refering to(clarks,etc)?  I am so scared and my heart goes out to all of you dealing with horrible disease.  Any advice or info people could offer would really be greatly appriciated.  I have conviced him to go t Roswell Park Cancer Institue (thank god we close).  I just don't know what questions to ask or what expect.  Thank you and God Bless all of you.

clarks level refers to how deep the melanoma extends into the skin.  Level 4 is 1.5-4 mm.  The deeper it goes the poorer the survival.  Do you know a clinical stage?

no we do not know a clinical level yet .  my dad was going to a dermatoligist who is not very "talkative".  he has an appt. wed. with a surgeon and will hopefully find out more.  can you be a clinical level 1 or 2 if it's that deep?  we really don't know much of anything yet and that really scares me, the waiting is horrible and i know it's only the begining.  thank you for your quick reply, i can use any support i can get to stay strong for my dad.

yes.  Other keys include ulceration and LN involvement.  + LN puts you into stage 3 and the prognosis is poorer.  In early stages this disease can be cured with surgery.  Its stage 3 and 4 that are problamatic.

Update.  My father had surgery to remove the tumor.  When the dr. went in he found another melonoma in the nodes under his arm that was more than he thought.  He removed all of the node under his arm.  We are still waiting for pathology reports to come back.  Again, more waiting.  The pet scan came back clear, but the isotope test that mornng came back with 1 hot spot and one slight hot spot.  Why didn't the other melonoma come back on the pet scan?  When the dr. came back to me after surgery and said that I was in shock.  Now I am out of town and can not ask the dr.  my question.

I have melanoma through out my body sub-cutaniously, therefore I am put at a stage 4.  The only way we know that is we had to biopsy 3 places.  Only one spot showed on my Petscan.  I understand what you are going through.  I am playing the waiting game to find out my next treatment which is going to be some sort of Chemo.  I am being treated by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.  They are great, so keep them in mind.  Good luck!

 

On 4/12/2008 gmfloyd5 wrote:

I have melanoma through out my body sub-cutaniously, therefore I am put at a stage 4.  The only way we know that is we had to biopsy 3 places.  Only one spot showed on my Petscan.  I understand what you are going through.  I am playing the waiting game to find out my next treatment which is going to be some sort of Chemo.  I am being treated by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.  They are great, so keep them in mind.  Good luck!

 In November 07, my husband was diagnosed with melanoma on shoulder - Clark Level 4 and Breslow depth an astounding 9 mm.  Sentinel nodes showed clear.  Returned from MDAnderson today for second  three month follow-up. In interim had horrid staph infection where lympth nodes were removed.  Required deep lancing (2 inches), hospital stay, and packing/dressing for two months.  I asked dr re stage an she produced a sort of slide rule and said he was at stage 2C. Has anyone heard of using the alpha designation "C"?  I always though there were states 1 - 4 - period.  No treatment is being recommended, and his immune genes are not consistent with requirements to participate in trial of somewhat new serum.  I talked with a dr with whom my husband graduated college and he states there are miracle results being seen from administration of mega-doses of Vitamin C.  Stated he had seen inoperable cancer virtually disappear or become encapsulated so surgery could be performed following administration of 100,000 mg twice per week - didn't say for how long.  This is a highly regarded physician who has retired following many years successful practice.   

I feel deeply for others who are in this same limbo, knowing that on a future "re-check" the news is going to be bad, although the oncologist stated that if we make 5 years, we will be good from then on. 

Does anyone know about this Stage 2C, and does it seem consistent with a Breslow depth of 9mm?  No Pet has been administered.  

 

On 5/15/2008 sea serpent wrote:

 

On 4/12/2008 gmfloyd5 wrote:

I have melanoma through out my body sub-cutaniously, therefore I am put at a stage 4.  The only way we know that is we had to biopsy 3 places.  Only one spot showed on my Petscan.  I understand what you are going through.  I am playing the waiting game to find out my next treatment which is going to be some sort of Chemo.  I am being treated by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.  They are great, so keep them in mind.  Good luck!

 In November 07, my husband was diagnosed with melanoma on shoulder - Clark Level 4 and Breslow depth an astounding 9 mm.  Sentinel nodes showed clear.  Returned from MDAnderson today for second  three month follow-up. In interim had horrid staph infection where lympth nodes were removed.  Required deep lancing (2 inches), hospital stay, and packing/dressing for two months.  I asked dr re stage an she produced a sort of slide rule and said he was at stage 2C. Has anyone heard of using the alpha designation "C"?  I always though there were states 1 - 4 - period.  No treatment is being recommended, and his immune genes are not consistent with requirements to participate in trial of somewhat new serum.  I talked with a dr with whom my husband graduated college and he states there are miracle results being seen from administration of mega-doses of Vitamin C.  Stated he had seen inoperable cancer virtually disappear or become encapsulated so surgery could be performed following administration of 100,000 mg twice per week - didn't say for how long.  This is a highly regarded physician who has retired following many years successful practice.   

I feel deeply for others who are in this same limbo, knowing that on a future "re-check" the news is going to be bad, although the oncologist stated that if we make 5 years, we will be good from then on. 

Does anyone know about this Stage 2C, and does it seem consistent with a Breslow depth of 9mm?  No Pet has been administered.