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Re: This is all new to me!
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Re: This is all new to me!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › This is all new to me! › Re: This is all new to me!

    • August 22, 2010 at 7:12 am
    Kim K
    Participant

      I was in a similar situation where the derm DID the WLE prior to the SNB.  DO NOT DO THAT!  Janner explains it well.  The ONLY reason why I had the WLE prior to the SNB was because I was scared and only just found this site.  After having the WLE and going to the surgical onc. did I realize the advice given here was accurate.  Please promise me you see the surgical onc. first, your life depends on it.

      As for me, I had a negative SNB and became stage IV 7 1/2 years later.  I had the WLE prior to the SNB so don't really know if we got the correct nodes.  My spread was via the bloodstream however which is more rare with mel.  On the positive side I am now NED after IL-2. 

      My original tumor was 2.06 mm,  Clark IV with no ulceration or regression and a low mitotic rate.  There was a low chance of it spreading after my SNB was negative, but it did.  You are NOT out of the woods, please have the SNB first and then follow the advice of a good surgical oncologist and derm.  Sometimes I wonder if the derm did the WLE prior to get the insurance money and because he didn't stay current with his medicine.  How much is your life worth?  Just because you use a State hosp?!  They know the guidelines, print them off and show them to your derm.  I would let your surgical oncologist do the WLE at the same time as the SNB.

      Trust me, WE are correct on the current recommendations.  You need the SNB first. 

      Best of luck you are NED forever,

      Kim K

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