Stage 1a Melanoma

Posted by dave62 @dave62, Jul 10, 2021

Hey everyone,
I have recently been diagnosed with stage 1a melanoma on the inside of my left leg above the ankle region. It was 7mm and non-ulcerated. I just had an excision done with 1cm margins. A little more than 2 days in and it's sore (12 stitches) but ok overall. On an oral antibiotic and cream antibiotic to offset possible infection. I should hear about the results on the wide excision margins in a few days. My question is, what are the odds (percentages) that the wide excision cleared the melanoma? What is the prognosis for stage 1a? And do I need a sentinel lymph node biopsy if the results are clear? Thanks for your response!

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@dave62

I truly APPRECIATE Everyone's insight as to my melanoma concerns. I just learned today that all my margins were clear of melanoma. Therefore, the final prognosis is melanoma was excised. That is certainly great news to me! This is a relief to me, as my last 3 weeks have been highly challenging, and I had been overwhelmed with anxiety! Although I realize that there is no 100% guarantee that melanoma could not develop on or in my body again, I am encouraged, with the odds being heavily in my favor, that it will NOT return. However, I WILL stay vigilant and minimize sun exposure by covering up as using UV protection whenever exposed to sunshine. The dermatologist told me that there is only a 1.5% chance that my melanoma somehow escaped detection and has invaded or potentially could invade a sentinel lymph node. She said it was an option for me to pursue, but even IF it were to test positive for melanoma, it would not change any future prognosis. Since it would entail more surgery under anesthesia this time and the potential risk was low, I have decided to go with the plan to see a dermatologist every 3 months for a year, and every 6 months after a year for a couple of years, and do full monthly bodily self-checks and lymph node self-examinations frequently. The bottom line is, at least as of now, this was GOOD NEWS! Thanks again to everyone who posted! I wish you all future good health and a promising future!
Dave62

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@dave62 Great news Dave! The best .. really! Also watch out for those moles that get an irregular shape or variation in color. After I saw the abnormal moles on my husband and learned what those looked like, I had one too. I got it removed by a dermatologist and it was abnormal. As for UV sun exposure, Columbia has clothing designed for fishing with built in sun protection that are lightweight and long sleeved. We wear those along with hats and even sun protecting finger tip-less gloves. He even covers his face with a gaiter.

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@jenniferhunter

@dave62 Great news Dave! The best .. really! Also watch out for those moles that get an irregular shape or variation in color. After I saw the abnormal moles on my husband and learned what those looked like, I had one too. I got it removed by a dermatologist and it was abnormal. As for UV sun exposure, Columbia has clothing designed for fishing with built in sun protection that are lightweight and long sleeved. We wear those along with hats and even sun protecting finger tip-less gloves. He even covers his face with a gaiter.

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Thanks so much Jennifer. My best to you as well!

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@dave62

I truly APPRECIATE Everyone's insight as to my melanoma concerns. I just learned today that all my margins were clear of melanoma. Therefore, the final prognosis is melanoma was excised. That is certainly great news to me! This is a relief to me, as my last 3 weeks have been highly challenging, and I had been overwhelmed with anxiety! Although I realize that there is no 100% guarantee that melanoma could not develop on or in my body again, I am encouraged, with the odds being heavily in my favor, that it will NOT return. However, I WILL stay vigilant and minimize sun exposure by covering up as using UV protection whenever exposed to sunshine. The dermatologist told me that there is only a 1.5% chance that my melanoma somehow escaped detection and has invaded or potentially could invade a sentinel lymph node. She said it was an option for me to pursue, but even IF it were to test positive for melanoma, it would not change any future prognosis. Since it would entail more surgery under anesthesia this time and the potential risk was low, I have decided to go with the plan to see a dermatologist every 3 months for a year, and every 6 months after a year for a couple of years, and do full monthly bodily self-checks and lymph node self-examinations frequently. The bottom line is, at least as of now, this was GOOD NEWS! Thanks again to everyone who posted! I wish you all future good health and a promising future!
Dave62

Jump to this post

@dave62 this is just read news! I think it would be helpful for you to pass on all your lessons on skin care and the sun. Will you tell us how your dermatologist exams go?

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