Sentinel Biopsy – now what?
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Sentinel Biopsy – now what?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Sentinel Biopsy – now what?

  • Post
    • January 1, 2017 at 4:21 pm
    user9999
    Participant

    Hello. Loved one recently had a S. node biopsy that showed there is cancer in 3 of the 4 nodes. I think there was not cancer in the one that was farthest away from the original site. 

    The doctors didin't give us much more information when they called with the results other than to schedule another appointment in 2 weeks. 

    I understand they will do a full body scan either then or soon after. I think that means that we do not yet have a full diagnosis with accurate staging, correct? 

    Is there a way to know how serious this is at this point, or not until after the next appointment? 

    Can anyone give insight on what all this means and what is likely to happen next? 

     

Viewing 17 reply threads
  • Replies
      • January 1, 2017 at 4:26 pm
      user9999
      Participant

      Also, am I understanding staging correctly in reading that this is at least IIIA?

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:26 pm
      user9999
      Participant

      Also, am I understanding staging correctly in reading that this is at least IIIA?

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:26 pm
      user9999
      Participant

      Also, am I understanding staging correctly in reading that this is at least IIIA?

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:27 pm
      Nemesis
      Participant

      Hello,

       

      I am new at this, so take everything with a grain of salt. The staging is either 3 or 4, depending on what the body scan results come back as. If it spread, it's a 4. If it is contained in the lymph nodes, it will be a 3.

       

      My doctor told me that if the SNB comes back with problems, I will be referred to an oncologist, and start medicine/have the rest of my lymph nodes removed.

       

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for the input and best of luck with your treatment. 

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for the input and best of luck with your treatment. 

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for the input and best of luck with your treatment. 

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for the input and best of luck with your treatment. 

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for the input and best of luck with your treatment. 

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for the input and best of luck with your treatment. 

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:27 pm
      Nemesis
      Participant

      Hello,

       

      I am new at this, so take everything with a grain of salt. The staging is either 3 or 4, depending on what the body scan results come back as. If it spread, it's a 4. If it is contained in the lymph nodes, it will be a 3.

       

      My doctor told me that if the SNB comes back with problems, I will be referred to an oncologist, and start medicine/have the rest of my lymph nodes removed.

       

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:27 pm
      Nemesis
      Participant

      Hello,

       

      I am new at this, so take everything with a grain of salt. The staging is either 3 or 4, depending on what the body scan results come back as. If it spread, it's a 4. If it is contained in the lymph nodes, it will be a 3.

       

      My doctor told me that if the SNB comes back with problems, I will be referred to an oncologist, and start medicine/have the rest of my lymph nodes removed.

       

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:44 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi User9999, I am sure others will offer you advice but if you want to listen to a good presentation that kind of covers the big picture of dealing with positive lymph nodes and options for treatments afterwards that is current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eofW8d4J6sI

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:44 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi User9999, I am sure others will offer you advice but if you want to listen to a good presentation that kind of covers the big picture of dealing with positive lymph nodes and options for treatments afterwards that is current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eofW8d4J6sI

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Will do. Thanks! 

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Will do. Thanks! 

        • January 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Will do. Thanks! 

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:44 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi User9999, I am sure others will offer you advice but if you want to listen to a good presentation that kind of covers the big picture of dealing with positive lymph nodes and options for treatments afterwards that is current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eofW8d4J6sI

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:44 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi User9999, I am sure others will offer you advice but if you want to listen to a good presentation that kind of covers the big picture of dealing with positive lymph nodes and options for treatments afterwards that is current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eofW8d4J6sI

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:44 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi User9999, I am sure others will offer you advice but if you want to listen to a good presentation that kind of covers the big picture of dealing with positive lymph nodes and options for treatments afterwards that is current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eofW8d4J6sI

      • January 1, 2017 at 4:44 pm
      ed williams
      Participant

      Hi User9999, I am sure others will offer you advice but if you want to listen to a good presentation that kind of covers the big picture of dealing with positive lymph nodes and options for treatments afterwards that is current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eofW8d4J6sI

      • January 1, 2017 at 7:15 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      At this point, your loved one is stage 3. The letter depends on the primary tumor, I had 3 out of 4 lymph nodes positive from my SLNB, but I was stage 3B since my primary tumor was ulcerated. It would be 3A if it was not ulcerated.

      Here is a site that breaks down staging nicely: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/detailedguide/melanoma-skin-cancer-stages

      They will have a full body scan to see if there is any internal spread. If the scan is clear, then they are stage 3 and will be given treatment options by an oncologist that include: watch and wait, Yervoy (Ipi), or clinical trial testing other immunotherapy drugs.

      Hoping for a clear scan for your loved one, any other questions we are always here to help.

        • January 1, 2017 at 7:18 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        I just want to add that they should be seeing a melanoma specialist. An oncologist who ONLY sees melanoma patients. You can find them at a large research hospital, we can give suggestions if you need. It's very important, especially if they are going to be going on any immunotherapy treatment.

        If they're already seeing one, then ignore this 🙂

        • January 1, 2017 at 7:26 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for this info – it's very helpful. All the best in your treatment. 

        • January 1, 2017 at 7:26 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for this info – it's very helpful. All the best in your treatment. 

        • January 1, 2017 at 7:26 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        Thanks for this info – it's very helpful. All the best in your treatment. 

        • January 1, 2017 at 7:18 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        I just want to add that they should be seeing a melanoma specialist. An oncologist who ONLY sees melanoma patients. You can find them at a large research hospital, we can give suggestions if you need. It's very important, especially if they are going to be going on any immunotherapy treatment.

        If they're already seeing one, then ignore this 🙂

        • January 1, 2017 at 7:18 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        I just want to add that they should be seeing a melanoma specialist. An oncologist who ONLY sees melanoma patients. You can find them at a large research hospital, we can give suggestions if you need. It's very important, especially if they are going to be going on any immunotherapy treatment.

        If they're already seeing one, then ignore this 🙂

      • January 1, 2017 at 7:15 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      At this point, your loved one is stage 3. The letter depends on the primary tumor, I had 3 out of 4 lymph nodes positive from my SLNB, but I was stage 3B since my primary tumor was ulcerated. It would be 3A if it was not ulcerated.

      Here is a site that breaks down staging nicely: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/detailedguide/melanoma-skin-cancer-stages

      They will have a full body scan to see if there is any internal spread. If the scan is clear, then they are stage 3 and will be given treatment options by an oncologist that include: watch and wait, Yervoy (Ipi), or clinical trial testing other immunotherapy drugs.

      Hoping for a clear scan for your loved one, any other questions we are always here to help.

      • January 1, 2017 at 7:15 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      At this point, your loved one is stage 3. The letter depends on the primary tumor, I had 3 out of 4 lymph nodes positive from my SLNB, but I was stage 3B since my primary tumor was ulcerated. It would be 3A if it was not ulcerated.

      Here is a site that breaks down staging nicely: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/detailedguide/melanoma-skin-cancer-stages

      They will have a full body scan to see if there is any internal spread. If the scan is clear, then they are stage 3 and will be given treatment options by an oncologist that include: watch and wait, Yervoy (Ipi), or clinical trial testing other immunotherapy drugs.

      Hoping for a clear scan for your loved one, any other questions we are always here to help.

      • January 2, 2017 at 11:32 pm
      Lhawkins
      Participant

      My first thought is why is next appointment not for two weeks? Melanoma moves fast often times, I would be quite upset if I had to wait two weeks. Once it is in nodes, care must be super quick and aggressive. 

        • January 2, 2017 at 11:52 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

        Have you tried to see a medical specialist over the holiday season? Good luck!!!

        • January 2, 2017 at 11:52 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

        Have you tried to see a medical specialist over the holiday season? Good luck!!!

        • January 2, 2017 at 11:52 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

        Have you tried to see a medical specialist over the holiday season? Good luck!!!

        • January 3, 2017 at 12:13 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        Majority of melanoma cases are not fast spreading, so 2 weeks is not an unusual amount of time. More stressful mentally than anything. Definitely very hard around holiday season to get quick appointments.

        • January 3, 2017 at 6:55 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        We've been calling to see if something opens up sooner but no luck so far…. 

        • January 3, 2017 at 6:55 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        We've been calling to see if something opens up sooner but no luck so far…. 

        • January 3, 2017 at 6:55 pm
        user9999
        Participant

        We've been calling to see if something opens up sooner but no luck so far…. 

        • January 3, 2017 at 12:13 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        Majority of melanoma cases are not fast spreading, so 2 weeks is not an unusual amount of time. More stressful mentally than anything. Definitely very hard around holiday season to get quick appointments.

        • January 3, 2017 at 12:13 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        Majority of melanoma cases are not fast spreading, so 2 weeks is not an unusual amount of time. More stressful mentally than anything. Definitely very hard around holiday season to get quick appointments.

      • January 2, 2017 at 11:32 pm
      Lhawkins
      Participant

      My first thought is why is next appointment not for two weeks? Melanoma moves fast often times, I would be quite upset if I had to wait two weeks. Once it is in nodes, care must be super quick and aggressive. 

      • January 2, 2017 at 11:32 pm
      Lhawkins
      Participant

      My first thought is why is next appointment not for two weeks? Melanoma moves fast often times, I would be quite upset if I had to wait two weeks. Once it is in nodes, care must be super quick and aggressive. 

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