I have stage II melanoma. I have a surgery scheduled to enlarge the margins and biopsy the lymph nodes. My surgeon can remove anything he finds cancerous. Should i be seeing a dermatologist? Or an oncologist?
I vote for an oncologist for the cancer surgery and treatment. You will also keep regular visits with a dermatoligist. Are you going to a Comprehensive Cancer Center?
Hi KTeacher. I just saw your post and thought I would say hi. I live in Mountain View and am a stage IV survivor. Where are you from? Are you currently doing treatments?
I don't always check this site, I am on Head and Neck regularly. I live in Merced.n. When I had my first biopsy in 2010, I was immediately referred to Stanford, and I am very glad. I have squamous cell carcinoma and unfortunately I have had recurrences each year. My surgeries and follow ups are at Stanford and my treatments are in Merced. My sister lived in Foster City and now Los Gatos, I stay with her when I have appointments and PET scans.
I underwent surgery for Stage II nodular melanoma on the back of my neck. Wide excision was done and luckily 4 lymph nodes which were all in line of the tumor also removed. Lymph nodes negative for cancer:) Mole suddenly appeared as a pinhead and clear and quickly grew to the size of pencil eraser and turned black. I only knew I had this mole on the back of my neck because it itched and I thought I had a mosquito bite. Thank goodness for the itching or it would have turned to stage III or IV very quickly. I wasn't in the habit of paying attention to my moles. I went to a dermatologist who then referred me to an Oncologist. I have been seeing both now for the last 4 years. Now going in for MOHs for carcinoma on my nose. Good luck to you!
It's important to have a network of doctors as they are all specialzed An oncologist will order tests (labs and scans) although I am not sure of the protocol for stage II. Be well!
Here is a list of melanoma comprehensive treatment centers. If the link doessn't work, the list is available on the MIF (Melanoma International Foundation) web site.
Your treatment plan seems right to me. Stage II melanoma may have spread to lymph nodes so have your surgeon excise with wide margins and check and remove lymph nodes. Then follow up with the dermatologist every 6 months for skin checks. Best of luck to you!
Joined: Jan 2011
I vote for oncologist
I vote for an oncologist for the cancer surgery and treatment. You will also keep regular visits with a dermatoligist. Are you going to a Comprehensive Cancer Center?
Joined: Jul 2015
no, my PCP reffered me to a
no, my PCP reffered me to a surgeon who specializes in breast cancers and melanomas. how do i locate a comprehensive cancer care center?
Joined: Jan 2011
Where do you live
I live in California. I go to Stanford for my surgeries and follow up. UCSF, UCLA, MD Anderson in Texas Would be CCC's.
Joined: Aug 2015
neighbors
Hi KTeacher. I just saw your post and thought I would say hi. I live in Mountain View and am a stage IV survivor. Where are you from? Are you currently doing treatments?
Joined: Jan 2011
Hi!
I don't always check this site, I am on Head and Neck regularly. I live in Merced.n. When I had my first biopsy in 2010, I was immediately referred to Stanford, and I am very glad. I have squamous cell carcinoma and unfortunately I have had recurrences each year. My surgeries and follow ups are at Stanford and my treatments are in Merced. My sister lived in Foster City and now Los Gatos, I stay with her when I have appointments and PET scans.
Joined: Aug 2015
Stage II nodular melanoma
I underwent surgery for Stage II nodular melanoma on the back of my neck. Wide excision was done and luckily 4 lymph nodes which were all in line of the tumor also removed. Lymph nodes negative for cancer:) Mole suddenly appeared as a pinhead and clear and quickly grew to the size of pencil eraser and turned black. I only knew I had this mole on the back of my neck because it itched and I thought I had a mosquito bite. Thank goodness for the itching or it would have turned to stage III or IV very quickly. I wasn't in the habit of paying attention to my moles. I went to a dermatologist who then referred me to an Oncologist. I have been seeing both now for the last 4 years. Now going in for MOHs for carcinoma on my nose. Good luck to you!
Joined: Sep 2015
See both
It's important to have a network of doctors as they are all specialzed An oncologist will order tests (labs and scans) although I am not sure of the protocol for stage II. Be well!
Joined: Jan 2014
Melanoma treatment centers
Here is a list of melanoma comprehensive treatment centers. If the link doessn't work, the list is available on the MIF (Melanoma International Foundation) web site.
http://melanomainternational.org/web-resources/cancer-centers/
Joined: Dec 2015
Your treatment plan seems
Your treatment plan seems right to me. Stage II melanoma may have spread to lymph nodes so have your surgeon excise with wide margins and check and remove lymph nodes. Then follow up with the dermatologist every 6 months for skin checks. Best of luck to you!