CancerCompass message board discussion started by Maxine on 5/12/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,12014,0.htm Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I had a biopsy of a "freckle" on my eyebrow-derm called me 2 weeks later and said it was malignant melanoma and to see a plastic surgeon asap. His words were "this is very serious". He recommended plastic surgeon to remove it and more skin surrounding it. Derm sent me for chest xray and blood work-all came back fine. Went to plastic surgeon he called it "intermediate stage" but said it was thin. Not sure what any of that really means. I did not like the surgeon-he seemed rushed and offered very little information, just that I needed surgery to remove this. He did not feel any enlarged lymph nodes on the side where freckle was, just one on other side. He said that one doesn't matter because it is on the other side. He said no need to test any lymph nodes. I am not comfortable with that -why not just check? Wouldn't it be better to know? His waiting room was FULL of middle aged women in some stage of cosmetic enhancements. He definately did not seem to deal with medical issues, but rather cosmetic ones. He even asked if I was interested in a brow lift later down the road? I am going to go for a second opinion I think - I don't want to be dramatic, but I just don't feel right with this guy. Basically, what do you think about the lymph nodes? Test them or not? Maxine Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT I do not want to alarm you but you really need to see someone else.  How was the lesion biopsied...shave, punch, incision?  I understand your derm sending you to a plastic surgeon because of where it was - on your face, however you really need a melanoma specialist or a derm who specializes in melanoma.  A 'thin' melanoma is good - I have never heard a lesion referred to as 'intermediate' - they usually stage a thin one as stage one or in-situ.  If indeed it was under a certain mm. they usually do not do a biopsy of the lymph nodes.  My son was diagnosed with stage 3 and recently went through the sugery to remove lymph nodes.  His chest x ray remains clear.  So what I am saying is that a clear chest x ray does not guarantee the stage of your melanoma.Ask the plastic surgeon's office what depth your lesion measured.You can read more about this on several places on the net.  NCI has good site that explains how these things are staged.My best to you - feel free to contact me and/or go to www.mpip.org for a message board that is more active than here.  However, do not let it scare you - it is somewhat lopsided with people who are in later stages than you seem to be.Mrs. C  Mrs. c Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT I would seek other advice, I had the similar situation of being refered to a plastic surgeon who said it wasn't even malignant melanoma, and it was.  they sent me to mayo clinic and it was in one of my lymph nodes and I have had them all removed.  It is something worth checking out.  since my first surgery in December of 2005, I have had 10 small tumors removed.  check it out! Wwinkie3 Sun, 20 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Find someone you feel you can trust. And trust your gut! You are not being dramatic, just cautious. Melanoma can be devestating if not treated early. Do what it takes now. Troeste Sun, 27 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT ABSOLUTELY GET A SECOND OPINION!!!!!!!  My Dad had a gut feeling that something was wrong, and got the brush off from his GP for a long time before the GP finally agreed to refer him back to his cancer doc (he'd had a melanoma removed over 7 years before and was told he was all clear).  His cancer doc checked him over for moles, felt for suspicious lymph nodes, and didn't find anything.  He pretty much told my Dad it was all in his head.  My Dad still insisted on getting a PETscan, so the doctor finally set it up.  Imagine the look on the cancer doc's face when he got to break the news to my Dad that not only was his melanoma back, but it was EVERYWHERE in his body!  Melanoma in it's early stages is very treatable if your doctor isn't an idiot!  If my Dad had listened to his cancer doc, my Dad would be dead today.  Either don't take no for an answer, or get a new doctor!  Let us know what happens! Sam673 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT I had a malignant melanoma removed from my face by one of the best dem/oncologist.  He is affilated with the Medical University of South Carolina.  His name is Dr. Cook.  His phone number is 843-876-1002.It has been three years since my face surgery and the only way you can see the scar is if I tell you it is there.  Not only that he was the first doctor out of three dematologist that actually thought the mole was worth biopsing.  I understand the concern about having your face cut, so make sure you have a doctor that specializes in this type of surgery.  I had MOS (sp?) surgery, so they cut out the mole plus extra and checked the biopsy to make sure they got it all.  It was wierd having an open hole on my face, but that way they do not have to remove anymore than necessary.Best of luck. infochick Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT