Skin Cancer Support Group
If you or a loved one has skin cancer, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, and meet others going through the same. Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin, which can have many causes, including repeated severe sunburns or long-term exposure to the sun. Skin cancer generally develops in the outermost layer of skin so a tumor is usually...
Hi all,
Tomorrow my dad is having a biopsy done on his ear for melanoma.
The doctor believes without a doubt it is melanoma... The problem is the internet has been my worst friend (silly me for researching I know)...
The patch is over 5mm in both length and width probably more than 1cm in length at minimum of 5mm in width.
My issue is it's become severely ulcerated causing a great creator I'm his ear cartlidge. I know these are not good signs and the doctor has already told him it looks like he will lose his ear.
I just can't wrap my head around all this... From my internet research it seems he could be in the stage 3's? As of yet there has been no testing for lymph nodes I assume this come... Would this come before surgery or during?
I can't believe it was left this long and only after severe pestering from my mum has he even bothered to get it looked at.
My dad is very sick with heart failure and kidney failure... He also has a dangerously low haemoglobin level, they can't find a bleed so are attributing it to his kidney failure...
Just insights would be good... Anyone been in this situation? What was your treatment options?
I hate the unknown I rely like knowing what I'm up against I feel I can wrap my head around it all and provide more support if I just understand what's going on and prognosis.
I'm not sure how quickly melanoma can metatisise?
Any info would be so helpful and welcome!
Thanks.
Sorry for sounding stupid I know internet research is stupid but I live too far away to attend any appointments with my parents to get all the answers!
Tomorrow my dad is having a biopsy done on his ear for melanoma.
The doctor believes without a doubt it is melanoma... The problem is the internet has been my worst friend (silly me for researching I know)...
The patch is over 5mm in both length and width probably more than 1cm in length at minimum of 5mm in width.
My issue is it's become severely ulcerated causing a great creator I'm his ear cartlidge. I know these are not good signs and the doctor has already told him it looks like he will lose his ear.
I just can't wrap my head around all this... From my internet research it seems he could be in the stage 3's? As of yet there has been no testing for lymph nodes I assume this come... Would this come before surgery or during?
I can't believe it was left this long and only after severe pestering from my mum has he even bothered to get it looked at.
My dad is very sick with heart failure and kidney failure... He also has a dangerously low haemoglobin level, they can't find a bleed so are attributing it to his kidney failure...
Just insights would be good... Anyone been in this situation? What was your treatment options?
I hate the unknown I rely like knowing what I'm up against I feel I can wrap my head around it all and provide more support if I just understand what's going on and prognosis.
I'm not sure how quickly melanoma can metatisise?
Any info would be so helpful and welcome!
Thanks.
Sorry for sounding stupid I know internet research is stupid but I live too far away to attend any appointments with my parents to get all the answers!
The results of the first biopsy will drive any future treatments. The report will state the "Stage" and the "Clark Level", the size (diameter, length, etc. are not included or important). The "depth" is what is most important (not size) and it will be included, which is what drives the "Clark Level" number. The Clark Level number also drives the size of the follow-up surgery if it is discovered to be Melanoma (which it may not be). The Stage is used to decide if other biospies are needed to see how far it may have spread.
In my case, my Melanoma spot was located in the middle of my mid-lower back totally of my out-of-site. It was dicovered during a routine annual visit to my dermatolist. The size (diameter, lenght, etc.) was not mentioned in the biospy report; only its Stage (1) and its Clark Level (II). I have no idea what it looked like since it was not visible to me.
The Clark Level is what drives the size of the removal during surgery. Since it was at Stage I, it is considered to be at least 95% lilely that it has been cured. No further testing was required, only more frequent checkups at my doctor (every six months vs annaully before).
I know that you are very concerned about your father. If at all possible, try to relax until the results of the biospy are back and see what is recommended, if anything. Since your father is in poor health that may be the driving factor in what happens next.
Good luck!
We went on a weeks holiday and came back for surgery to remove left axillary lymph nodes, found it was level 4 melanoma, stage four with five tumours on his brain. Only trial medication to try at this stage. Next week we find out if it is working.
I get sick of stay positive stay strong, no one knows how to feel and they hate grief so you tend to have to do it alone. Find someone you can be honest with, if you have a shit day feel down that you can tell. Warm wishes to you all.
One of the first things I decided was I was not hitting the internet!VERY SCARY! I did however come here to talk with peeps! There is really good info but there is also very bad info. Only check the trustworthy sites.
Tesh, My personal belief is at least half of the battle is attitude and a good mental state.(doc agreed) I was so PISSED I could not see straight!!! Took my mountain bike out and beat it like a rented mule! I screamed and yelled and cussed and fussed! then I went to my spot on top of a big revine and cried out WHY! It came back as why not? I don't know how you feel about God but he was my calming factor during this whole process. That's just me. Got through it and have been pronounced GOOD! Back to riding 100-300 miles a week and happy to be here.
Good luck and God Bless
Prayers for you all!
Bill