Hi,

I can understand how frustrated and anxious you must be with the delay. A spitzoid melanoma is a form of melanoma that doesn't follow the usual ABCDE criteria and sometimes it's difficult to diagnose by histology. If the diagnosis is uncertain, they may diagnose it as a Spitzoid Melanoma of Uncertain Malignant Potential (STUMP) - this may be what is happening in your case & why it's being reviewed before they decide on the next step. The delay to the MDT (Multi Disciplinary Meeting) may be due to sickness, leave or unavailabilty of one or more involved (Dermatologist, Plastic Surgeon, Oncologist and Nurses). They are usually held once a week so hopefully it won't be delayed too long. Perhaps ring and ask them when your case is likely to be discussed and how long after that you will hear from them as the constant delay is impacting on your mental health. Hopefully they can give you some answers.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you Angie, I do appreciate your response. I have tried not to 'Google' but there isn't much useful information on this type which I think is why I feel so in the dark about it. I will try and speak with them again to see if they can offer any more information at this stage.

Hello, I have finally received a call following the MDT, apparently it is very hard to distinguish between a spitz nevus and spitzoid melanoma and there was some debate but the top Professor at the meeting was leaning more towards a spitz nevus which is positive, they have decide that to be on the safe side they will carry out a WLE and monitor me every 3 months for a year. I just wondered if anyone had a bit more information on a WLE, is it usually carried out under local or general anaesthetic? They did mention previously that I may need a skin graft as it is near my ankle so not much loose skin, where is this usually taken from? How large would this usually be? They advised it 0.6mm Breslow thickness

Hi,

It's good that they think it's benign but they are erring on the safe side and doing a WLE so that they get a safe margin of tissue around the area.

A WLE is usually undertaken under a local, however, if they think they may need to do a skin graft, it's usually done under a general. I believe the donor site is usually the thigh, buttock or upper arm area as this has more tissue. I don't know how large it would be if a skin graft is necessary but it will be far larger than you anticipate. If no skin graft is needed, the surgical wound will be longer and wider than the initial excision as they do an elliptical excision (shape of a rugby ball) - this shape is easier to close up and heals better with less scarring. www.melanomauk.org.uk/surgery

I hope this helps. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Angie