Diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma

Hi

After many months I have now  been diagnosed  with a stage 3A melenoma also  found  a small  cell in the sentinel lymph   node

now removed  

Waiting for PET scan and MRI scan which could be a few weeks 

then Oncology 

Hard to deal with the wait 

  • Welcome to the forum Salpal1 although I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with melanoma.

    This must be a very difficult time, especially whilst you wait for further scans, but our members are here to support you and I'm sure it won't be long until some of them stop by to share their experiences and advice.

    You can find out more about stage 3 melanoma on our website, but if you have any other questions or concerns you'd like to discuss with someone, then do give our cancer nurses a call. They're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they'll do all they can to give you the answers you're seeking and support you during this anxious time.

    Do keep posting if you find it helps Salpal1 and remember that we will always be here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Thanks for your help

    Bit concert my friends  who have been diagnosed with cancer have had scans and treatment plan with  in a few weeks .

    They are a a bit surprised at the timescale .

    I  do  understand they have so many people who need urgent scans .

    My pet/CT scan booked 

    My MRI scan has been requested being looked at after  2 weeks told it could be  a little while

    I am concerned  if I need treatment it will be delayed .

    The Consultant said the melenoma was 0.9 and taken out 

    The one node removed had a single tiny cell  

    .

    Any one had to wait for scans and feel this way .

  • Yes, sadly melanoma patients are currently having to wait far too long for scans & surgery. You will definitely be given drug treatment once they have all the scans back & know if there has been any further spread beyond the lymph node. The good thing is that the amount of melanoma in your lymph node was tiny so it lessons the chance it may have travelled further.

    I will send you a friend request so we can chat by private message, especially regarding the hospital you are being treated at (we can't mention individual hospitals on the forum but, in a private message, I can tell you the Centres of Melanoma Excellence close to you should you later wish to transfer your care if you are unhappy).

    Drug therapies used now in melanoma treatment are showing great results so hopefully your treatment will start soon & it will be successful. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Hi 

    Had my pet/ct results from scan on Monday Cancer nurse called  no metastasis found said good news 

    Still need head Mri scan on list to call hopefully before 6 weeks 

    Then see oncologist when I will finally know 

    options and results genetic gene test 

    Will keep in touch 

    Any idea how I get on to.private messages ?

    Thanks 

  • It's the box icon next to the bell icon at the top right corner of the page. xx

  • Hi Salpal, I hope you are feeling ok and sorry about your diagnosis. Could I ask you how you were diagnosed please? How long did you have to wait and how did it all happen?

  • Offline in reply to DRuss

    Hi DRuss 

    My  diagnoises started in November lat year Gp thought my spot on my cheek  was a bite or boil given  antibiotics and dermoscope 2 weeks later.  GP appt advised  nothing abnormal completely fine 

    Went back to Gp as  It  didn't go   got a referral as a  4MM lesion  suspected   

    Seen on nhs  told probably bcc

    had a Punch biopsy  showed melenona .

    Referred to cancer hospital 

    Had wide excersion with sential lymph node biopsy in March  6 weeks later got results 3a 

    So quiet a few appointments 

    I now have my oncology Consultation Thursday.

    (It Should have been April but referred didn't go through )

    Pet/ct scan  was really quick  so were results.

    Awaiting Mri  head scan .

    Seems a long Journey but now feel I am at the better end  hopefully  I will have a  plan soon,  obviously depends on my  mri scan .

    Have to say the support from  CNS and secretary  Has been fab .

    Especially Dermatology nurse 

    Long version I know .

    I know other people who were seen and had plan  with in a few months .

    where are u upto?  

     

  • Offline in reply to Salpal1

    Hi Salpal, thank you for describing your journey and I wish you best wishes.

    i had an online private dermatologist look at some images of a mole on my cheek which I noticed looked a bit different after I’d shaved my beard. He suggested it could be a melanoma so I went to the GP who referred me on a 2 week urgent case. I attended a Teledermatology appt and that was within a week and yesterday I received a letter saying a Consultant wanted to review it face to face and I’d receive an pot within 2-3 months.

    so I’m not yet aware of what if any issue I may have but was told at the TD appt that if it was nothing to worry about I’d receive a discharge letter. So I’m assuming it’s something but not yet of what it is.

  • Offline in reply to DRuss

    Hi

    Sounds good news.

    I had teledermotolgy (Photo,) at the  beginning 

    I was seen two days later in the  dermatology clinic 

    The dermatology consultant did say alot  of people get called in.

    Sometimes they do watch and wait to see if any change .

  • Offline in reply to Salpal1

    Which part of the country are you treated?