Is The Dr. Doing Enough??

In Novemeber 2003 I was diagnosed with Stage 1 melanoma - .35 MM on my stomach. It was a Level 2. (It invaded the papilary dermis) The Dr. "cleared the margins" and told me to get a skin cancer screening every 6 months. Is this enough? Do I ned a PET scan? What else can I do?? Please help I am so scared and feel like the Dr. is not doing enough.

Hey Kelley,

I was diagnosed with LMS in 2003 and I feel
the same about my follow-up, I posted about
this subject a couple days ago.

The people here on the forum will give you
good advice. I'm in France so I won't tell
you which doctor to see.

But maybe you could/should get a second
opinion in a cancer center somewhere.
Look around the forum, you'll find hospitals:
I read of Dana Farber, of Sloan-Kettering.

It's your health, it's your life, you shouldn't
have to be afraid or in doubt. Take a hold of
your health, go see someone else.

Love,
Maud

Hi Kelly!
I know how you feel right now. Probably panicky & unsure. I had oral cancer 2 years ago, had surgery and today there is no signs of it having came back.
I had a PET scan that didn't show any spreading, so it goes without saying, this was a Big Relief to me. I think a PET scan is very helpful, but first make sure that either you have insurance that will cover it or the money to pay for it. I think the charges for mine was around 8,000.00! I had the insurance to pay for it.
Next, make sure to keep in touch with God every day with the reading of his Holy Word & Prayer. Check the World Prayer Team.org.
Next, research, research, research on the internet for your kind of cancer. There will be lot's of info on it, some good, some questionable.
Next & last but certainly not the least is, start supplementing your diet with the vitamins and minerals specifically for cancer, as well as some other supplements that you will find out about! My wife & I take lots of these with a product called Graviola! I think all of this has a positive influence on body & mind, and will give you something that you need badly right now! This is called HOPE! Without it life can be not worth living! With it, life is a pleasure every day! And----Stop doing anything that would harm your body! Oh, I almost forgot, you must eat right! The right foods, in the right amounts! As organically as possible. Check "Beatin Cancer With Nutrition" by Patrick Quillin, who was, and maybe still is the chief nutritionist for Cancer Centers of America! Hope this will help. If you need clarification of any of the above just reply!
God Bless You,
DED

Change Doctors. You should have had cat/pet scans within 3-6 months.

Hi!

I work for a dermatologist. I don't know where
you are from but in PA there is a clinic, the
Pigmented Lesion Clinic at the Univ. of Penn. that just address melanoma and dysplastic nevus
patients, of course, they're main thrust is
research. Anytime you feel uncomfortable with
your treatment seek a second opinion.
The recommendations for melanoma have changed over the years. There is a blood test called
the beta-2 tyrosinaise (spelling may be off) that
can detect spread of melanoma through the blood
but certain criteria now are used before recommending this. It has to do with what they
refer to as the Breslow depth which is a staging.
It is only done at specific labs and is probably
expensive but you can mention this to your doctor. It is not completely fail proof however
but it is pretty reliable. The usual follow up
in our practice is a chest x-ray and routine
blood work, not sure exactly what they are looking for here as far as the blood. Melanoma
usually spread through the lymph glands so the
lymph glands closest the the site should be felt
periodically for any lumps which could indicate
spread. Another early site of spread would be
the lungs that is why a chest x-ray is recommended for the first five years or so
depending on here again on the stage. I'm sure
if you doctor is not very concerned the staging
of your tumor was a good indicator of unlikely
spread but again if you're not comfortable seek
a second opinion. Hope this has been of some
help. There are many cancer survivors out there
including those with melanoma. Good luck!

Get in charge of "YOUR" medical care. Get a second opinion, be assertive and yes, see if a P.E.T. scan would be covered by your ins., it would definitely give you a baseline on any other/same cancer in your body; with your staging however you will probably hear that you really don't need to worry. Possibly so, but this is melanoma, and this is not a dress rehersal, this "is" your life, be proactive in finding an oncologist/hospital that will allow you to be thus so. One hospital I know does this and has state of the art equipment and personnel, is Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Southwesternn Regional Medical Center(one in the same) Tulsa, OK. The original hospital is in Zion, IL. Go to www.cancercenter.com and log on to a Oncology Information Specialist they will and are trained to answer all your questions about any thing regarding any type of cancer. Faith has been a resounding factor in my life too, and the strength I get from the Lord Jesus. Praying you will be led to wisdom and direction. Sheila

My husband had melanoma removed from his back about 2 years ago. The Doctor said it was not deep and to not worry{ only .4 } . He said to see a dermotologist every 4 months. He did faithfully. A cat scan was done the first year. and then nothing. Then in August this year, he developed a cough and had a swelling under his arm. Sent for a CT scan, revealed tumors every
where. Liver, spleen, lungs and bone. Stage 4.
He past away in Nov. {3 months from diagnosis}.I feel that he should have had more done---like PET scans or blood tests on a regular basis--not just looking at the outside of his skin.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Thank you for responding to my post. You have scared the hell out of me. What should I do? Your husbabnd's melanoma was about the same in thickness as mine. Did the Dr's think the tumors were related to the melanoma - or were the tumors another form of cancer? Can I ask how old your husband was? I'm 32 and trying to get pregnant - do you know if they can do a CAT if you might be pregnant.

Please, any answers would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kelley

Dear Kelley,
Yes, the tumors were definitely melanoma. The doctor had no doubt from the biopsy from lymph nodes under the arm closest to the original site. The survivors of melanoma that I have spoken with say that they had PET Scans every 4-6 months to watch for any change at the cellular level. At least then, they seem to identify it when it has just gotten to one organ, and can try different drugs such as DTIC, TEMODAR, OR PROLEUKIN 2, Immunotheraphy.
My husband was 68 and did not have a chance because it was everywhere when they finally did a CAT Scan (by the way chest x-rays did not show the tumors even when advanced).
We are also in New York and I scheduled an appt. at Sloan-Kettering, but my husband was too ill to travel even there. Roswell Cancer Center in Buffalo has Dr. Wong who works with a lot of melanoma patients.
I hope this helps you to get a doctor who takes it much more seriously and watches it INTERNALLY.
Prayerful