Help With Staging? Anyone W/ Mm Ssm On Head?

Hello,
My Dad was just diagnosed w/ his 2nd melanoma. This time it's malignant metastatic superificial spreading melanoma. It's on the top of his head, spreading rapidly w/ multiple sites. The primary tumor depth is 2.01, there is satellite metastatis to skin and subcutaneous tissue. The original biopsy reveals lymphatic involvement. He is headed in for a CT, PET and chest x-ray this coming week. The tests will tell more, but I don't understand as much as I want to understand. We just got through my husband's stage IIa diagnosis and treatment and he is doing well. However, we never had a path report that was like my dad's. So I need some help. This is what I would like to know-

1) Based on this info could he still be stage 3 or is he already stage 4?

2) Anyone here have the moh's surgery on the head that had a similar diagnosis? How bad is recovery? This would be his 2nd Moh's surgery, first was for a basal tumor the size of a baseball. Very disfiguring surgery, and I don't know how much tissue he has left for good margins, plus the pain of the skin graphs is so hard.

3)Anyone have experience w/ UCSF's melanoma center? My parents will be seeking treatment there.



Thank you for any help you may be able to provide.

Kindly,
Laura N.

HI. I am so sorry to hear of your dads diagnosis. I was diagnosed in March 2006 with Metastic Melanoma that had spread to the lymph nodes in my groin. I've had two surgeries to take out the Melanoma and nodes. I too, am currently undergoing these very same tests. I was told that right now, I was at stage III. Even though, it had spread to my nodes. The concern is wether or not, it has spread to any other organs. If, it has, I was told, it would be considered stage IV. I know that your dads situation is different than mine. This is all new to me. I wanted to know more than what I was being told by the Dr.s, so, I started searching for info on Metastic Melanoma. I'm scared...really, from all that I have read. I was told that I should take the 1 year interferon treatments. My test results won't be in until Oct. 23. I hope that you can find answers to your questions as well. I will pray for your dad and family. God be with you. Becky.

HI. I am so sorry to hear of your dads diagnosis. I was diagnosed in March 2006 with Metastic Melanoma that had spread to the lymph nodes in my groin. I've had two surgeries to take out the Melanoma and nodes. I too, am currently undergoing these very same tests. I was told that right now, I was at stage III. Even though, it had spread to my nodes. The concern is wether or not, it has spread to any other organs. If, it has, I was told, it would be considered stage IV. I know that your dads situation is different than mine. This is all new to me. I wanted to know more than what I was being told by the Dr.s, so, I started searching for info on Metastic Melanoma. I'm scared...really, from all that I have read. I was told that I should take the 1 year interferon treatments. My test results won't be in until Oct. 23. I hope that you can find answers to your questions as well. I will pray for your dad and family. God be with you. Becky.

Hi my dad has malignant melanoma and it spread to one lymph node all was removed . The PET scan came back ok, but I am still confused: did interferon work for you? He is 71 and the clark level was 4 is that the same as the stage? It seems somewhat similar to yours any suggestions?     Thanks

 

On 3/6/2007 1234m2 wrote:

Hi my dad has malignant melanoma and it spread to one lymph node all was removed . The PET scan came back ok, but I am still confused: did interferon work for you? He is 71 and the clark level was 4 is that the same as the stage? It seems somewhat similar to yours any suggestions?     Thanks

Clarks level refers to the level of invasion into the skin.  Level 4 is the deepest and therefore carries the worst prognosis.  It is not the same as stage.  With LN involvement he would be stage 3 and would probably need surgery to remove the melanoma and nodes and probably interferon.

My dad did have melanoma removed and one lymph node. The PET scan was fine and the doctor said a 5 yr survival rate. He suggested Interferon and removal of the lymph nodes. Why -if no more cancer is present and does Inteferon really work, someone said it will only better your chances 10%. My question, is it worth it? My dad is 71 years old. Any suggestions. I feel overwhelmed with all the info on the internet.

                                                   Thanks