My husband was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in August. At the surgeon appointment, they explained that the biopsy showed that there were microsatellites which indicates that it wants to spread, The surgeon said because of the satellites they would recommend treatment, either targeted or immunotherapy and asked my husband how he felt about that and the answer was he would do anything to increase his chances of being cancer free. The next steps were a CT scan and a wide local excision, then the team would get together to discuss next steps.
He had his CT scan and WLE in November. He was scheduled an appointment to discuss results and next steps in December. However, the surgeon called him today to let him know that the CT Scan was clear and the WLE was also clear with no further satellites. Therefore, he doesn't have to go to the appointment in Dec., doesn't have to go on treatment either. He has his dermatology meeting in Dec and another CT scan is scheduled for Feb, I am surmising that these are just part of the 3 monthly check ups.
I was absolutely convinced he would need immunotherapy following that first appointment so we are obviously absolutely over the moon with those results.
I know that he will still need his check ups every three months and that will always be scary but we are just so relieved after that call today. I think my husband expected the worse when he answered his phone to the surgeon so what a relief to be told positive news.
We weren't given much info throughout the process. Maybe because we didn't ask? My husband didn't want to know and wanted to just deal with everything as it came to him, one step at a time. We were just told basically what I have described above and nothing more, we were never told a stage, or given details of a cancer nurse to contact or anything. I had just read online about microsatellites in melanoma and from what I read it could be stage 3 and I was worried sick but also hopeful as by what I can gather immunotherapy is a game changer for cancer.
I suppose I just hope this is helpful to someone.
Hi Mollymolly welcome to the forum. Thank you so much for sharing this news for the benefit of others..Any real life experiences are always welcome and give others hope and also reassure them that they are not alone. Sending very best wishes your way for now.
gail
Hi Mollymolly
That's fantastic news and I hope you and your husband have had a little celebration.
I'm sorry I'm only just replying to your post but I seem to have missed it when you first posted.
I think, from my experience, the consultants gauge how much to tell you depending on what you ask, etc at the appointment. When I was diagnosed with melanoma my consultant told me how thick it was but I only found out the stage when I received a letter from the hospital after my WLE and SLNB.
Staging of melanoma is quite complicated and the best person to tell your husband what his is would be his SCNS (skin cancer nurse specialist). You mention that he hasn't been given their details but it's important that he finds out who has been assigned to him as they are his immediate point of contact if he notices any new lumps or is worried about anything. I have had to phone mine a few times over the years and they have always got me an appointment with my consultant within a week. My consultant always reminded me at my check-ups not to go to the GP if I found something but to ring my SCNS as that would get me in front her (the consultant) much quicker than going via the GP.
Your husband should be able find out who his SCNS is by phoning his consultant's secretary. If he doesn't have her phone number then just phone the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through to the secretary.
It would be great if you could put something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment to date into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
