Hi. Newly diagnosed PT2a

Hi Stars09 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is an informative and supportive place to be.

Firstly I'm sorry to read that you've been diagnosed with melanoma and I completely understand what a shock this will have been for you. Five years ago I too was diagnosed with melanoma when it was thought that it was something else and not cancer. However, I can assure you that one day you'll realise that having cancer wasn't the first thing on your mind when you woke up and the last thing on your mind before you fell asleep.

Staging for melanoma is a little complicated to say the least. The grade PT2a relates to the Breslow thickness where, if you click on the link, you'll see that T2 covers melanomas that are between 1.1 and 2mm thick. Mine was also PT2 but as mine was ulcerated it was PT2b whereas your non-ulcerated melanoma is signified by the letter 'a'. 

This PT2a is then translated into the stage with PT2a becoming Stage 1b. So, to answer your question if you have been told that your Stage 1b then this is Stage 1, whereas I am Stage 2 because mine was PT2b.

I hope I've helped and not confused you further!

I have had both the WLE and SLNB and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about those procedures.

When you feel ready, it would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment 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.

Sending (((hugs)))

Thank you so much. I’ve read your profile it’s very reassuring. I’m trying to get my head around the staging and grades but it’s hard to understand! I’m seeing the consultant tomorrow so hoping for some more reassurance and prep for the procedure. I’ll add to my profile thanks for pointing me to that. It will be nice when the diagnosis isn’t the only thing I think about. It’s like a blown up balloon inside my head at the moment! 

Hello Stars09,

So sorry that you have received the melanoma diagnosis. It will be an anxious worrying time for you. As you will see from many others the waiting for the results is so hard. We all go down tunnels of despair. 

Please feel free to read my profile whilst we are all different with no guarantees of results it may be useful. 

Hugs xxx

Hi Anne1536 thanks so much for replying. I’m so pleased for you that you had good results and didn’t have to wait too long. Although I’m sure that still felt like an eternity. It is reassuring to read other people’s profiles and know it’s normal to be reacting this way. And outcomes are good! It feels like everything has gone from 0-100mph this week and I’m still trying to get my head around it all. 

Hi Stars09,

I’m sorry to read here that you too have been diagnosed with melanoma and how extremely worrying it is. I know how anxious a time it is knowing something is wrong. I too, was diagnosed with a nodular melanoma, 2.66mm Breslow thickness, Stage 2a in 2017. Melanoma was not something I ever knew much about & I was shocked by the diagnosis. I joined this forum seeking information soon after my diagnosis and have been a keen reader but have never posted until today. Significantly, it is my 5 year anniversary this week, when I had my WLE & SLNB. My results, thankfully, were clear and since then there has been no evidence of disease. Skin checks over the years, often interrupted by Covid 19 protocols, have been clear. The dermatologist found one a-typical mole, biopsied it and it was not melanoma! Some patients, like me, are extremely fortunate that there has been no evidence of disease over 5 years. You don’t often read comments from patients who have had no further issues as they don’t tend to be participants in these forums but I think it’s good to let others know about positive outcomes too. I am an Aussie and I now know the dangers of sun exposure. My days of languishing on the beach are definitely a thing of the past, however, melanoma will not end my love of the ocean albeit from the verandah of a cruise ship, when that’s ever possible again, seeking plenty of shade & slopping on 50+ sunscreen protection. I wish you well and sincerely hope that you too will have a positive outcome.

Hi Stars09, welcome to our lovely supportive group here.  Sorry to hear your diagnosis.  It can get so confusing re the staging.

Firstly try not to dwell right now on the delay side of things. Regarding the delays briefly  I would say any delay in diagnosis may affect the  staging of a melanoma.  I too had a gp surgery saying "don't worry it's nothing" for over a year. Without the biopsy of a leision no one can give you a diagnosis!  However the most important thing now is to get all the scans and surgeries they recommend and consider any treatments they suggest.

It is often all a blur to start with when you are so shocked just at the diagnosis.  So many questions buzzing around your head and no immediate answers. May I suggest you write any questions down now that pop into your head then you can take them with you to your next appointment with your doctors. If you can take someone with you to hear the things you may miss all the better.  I wasn't given any staging until after my WLE and SLNB, mine is 3c so I'm on immunotherapy drug Pembro for one year as adjuvant therapy.  

Try to keep well and active right now, add as many distractions to your life as you can to tire out your mind and body so you have less time to think about the melanoma especially during the long waiting times between appointments.  Many on here will attest to the waiting blues for sure!

Please remember to ask anything of us all on here (and please avoid Google too).  Take care x

Hi Oceans59

How lovely of you to reply to me with such a positive message. I’m so happy for you to be celebrating a milestone of being clear of cancer. And I’m so grateful you took the time to tell me of your experience.  It helps so much to know thrrr are people like you who have been where I aM now and it’s not all bad. Thank you. Long may you be healthy and enjoy the sun under a veranda and sun hat! X 

Hi Allotment lover

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I’ve read your profile and it sounds like you’ve had a time of it. So glad you’re on the right path now and being treated.
Thank you for all the advice it’s really useful. You’re right about writing down questions I keep having them pop in my head and forget again just as fast. 
Good luck with your treatment really hope it all works very well for you. X 

Hi Stars09

I'm just popping on to see how you are and whether you've had your WLE and SLNB yet.

x

Hi there. Yes I had my WLE and SLNB just over two weeks ago now. Two lymph nodes were taken. Im Recovering well although it’s still pretty sore and I’ve got a lot of nerve pain in my skin all over my arm which is weird! Not sure if anyone else has this and can advise how long it lasts for. Results April 29 which feels like an age away but I feel positive and refuse to believe it’ll be anything other than good news! I’m getting married in September and it’s good to have something lovely to think about rather than this. Thanks for checking up on me!