Does anyone have any experience with complete regression , i have a Melonoma on my right thigh , after biopsy they have advised Melanoma with complete regression - stage X , i have another op in 4-6 weeks to take more away - i think as precaution to stop it coming back ??? then after 3months checkup for 5 years.
My question is how do they know it hasnt spread ? , I have generally been feeling tired and unwell for past 6 months , i was back and forwards to doctors for blood tests etc as I just didnt feel right , and all came back clear , so i am thinking it was ralated to the melanoma .and my immune system getting rid of it , anyone the same ?
even after first biopsy in which they are 95% sure its all gone , I still feel sickly and tired , stiff joints etc - is this anxiety?
Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community
I don't have any experience with complete regression in melanoma but I'm sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed.
The operation you're having in 4-6 weeks time is called a wide local excision (WLE) and is always done after a melanoma diagnosis to make sure that there are no cancer cells left in the skin around where your melanoma was. Depending on the depth of your melanoma a further 1-2cm is removed.
The first place melanoma is usually found to have spread to, if it has spread, is the lymph nodes nearest it. Anyone who is stage 1b or above should be offered a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) to check for spread. This latter operation isn't curative but a staging tool and is, therefore, optional. Your dermatologist should have a chat with you to discuss whether it's right for you or not.
To understand more about either of these operations just click on the links I've created. I've had both of these procedures so if you want any first hand experience fire away!
Presuming that both the WLE and SLNB come back clear then you'll have 3 monthly check-ups for 3 years followed by 6 monthly check-ups for 2 years.
The symptoms you are now feeling could be down to anxiety but have you mentioned them to your SCNS? It's natural to presume that anything you feel wrong with you now means that the melanoma has already spread and we all know how that feels.
When you have a minute it would be really useful if could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit 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.
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