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anyone had a lymph node dissection at Huntsman / Dr. Andtbacka … longshot I guess!
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anyone had a lymph node dissection at Huntsman / Dr. Andtbacka … longshot I guess!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › anyone had a lymph node dissection at Huntsman / Dr. Andtbacka … longshot I guess!

  • Post
    • October 20, 2015 at 5:05 am
    Birdlo
    Participant

      I'm trying to make the decision as to whether to go ahead with a CLND of my right groin (for micromets–3 cells!–in 1 lymph node), and I'm having a pretty hard time.

      Has anyone here had a LND at Huntsman Cancer in Salt Lake City? In addition to getting second opinions, and possibly having my slides read by another pathologist, I'm also just wanting to make sure that if I do go ahead with the surgery, that I'm going to the right surgeon. I know that a surgeon's experience, skill, outcomes vary widely. "Reviews" of my surgeon, Dr. Andtbacka, are good, but they speak mostly to bedside manner, etc. They do not cover the gnitty gritty of surgical procedures and outcomes. 

      I do realize this is longshot, maybe a big one, but just wanted to see if by chance anyone else has been working with Huntsman, and specifically with Dr. Andtbacka.

      I live in Idaho where there is no comprehensive cancer center, so I've travelled to SLC. But if need be, I'll travel further. To Seattle. Or to where I have family, in Philadelphia.

      Thanks to all. 

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 20, 2015 at 1:09 pm
        JuTMSY4
        Participant

          I had my CLND in Philly at Penn (left groin).  I can't speak to your doctor or the "quality" of his surgery.  

          However, my opinion would be to do it and do it ASAP.  You have a great chance at containing the melanoma right there. CLND sucks and lymphedema is a possibility.  But it's much easier than the alternative.  

          Just my 2 cents.  YMMV

          • October 20, 2015 at 1:09 pm
          JuTMSY4
          Participant

            I had my CLND in Philly at Penn (left groin).  I can't speak to your doctor or the "quality" of his surgery.  

            However, my opinion would be to do it and do it ASAP.  You have a great chance at containing the melanoma right there. CLND sucks and lymphedema is a possibility.  But it's much easier than the alternative.  

            Just my 2 cents.  YMMV

              • October 21, 2015 at 4:36 am
              Birdlo
              Participant

                I am certainly leaning toward doing it. I'm just making sure I understand everything and not just following the advice of one person (who also happens to be a surgeon). It's been presented to me as a choice, and I'm treating it as such, and a serious one. 

                I appreciate your 2 cents, thank you for giving them!

                • October 21, 2015 at 4:36 am
                Birdlo
                Participant

                  I am certainly leaning toward doing it. I'm just making sure I understand everything and not just following the advice of one person (who also happens to be a surgeon). It's been presented to me as a choice, and I'm treating it as such, and a serious one. 

                  I appreciate your 2 cents, thank you for giving them!

                  • October 21, 2015 at 4:36 am
                  Birdlo
                  Participant

                    I am certainly leaning toward doing it. I'm just making sure I understand everything and not just following the advice of one person (who also happens to be a surgeon). It's been presented to me as a choice, and I'm treating it as such, and a serious one. 

                    I appreciate your 2 cents, thank you for giving them!

                  • October 20, 2015 at 1:09 pm
                  JuTMSY4
                  Participant

                    I had my CLND in Philly at Penn (left groin).  I can't speak to your doctor or the "quality" of his surgery.  

                    However, my opinion would be to do it and do it ASAP.  You have a great chance at containing the melanoma right there. CLND sucks and lymphedema is a possibility.  But it's much easier than the alternative.  

                    Just my 2 cents.  YMMV

                    • October 20, 2015 at 1:32 pm
                    Gene_S
                    Participant

                      Huntsman Cancer Center I can not tell you anything about them or the doctor but I would be more interested in is he a melanoma specialist.

                      If not I would seek out where I could go to speak with a Melanoma Specialist as I feel this is the most important as they deal with melanoma all the time.

                      • October 20, 2015 at 1:32 pm
                      Gene_S
                      Participant

                        Huntsman Cancer Center I can not tell you anything about them or the doctor but I would be more interested in is he a melanoma specialist.

                        If not I would seek out where I could go to speak with a Melanoma Specialist as I feel this is the most important as they deal with melanoma all the time.

                        • October 20, 2015 at 1:32 pm
                        Gene_S
                        Participant

                          Huntsman Cancer Center I can not tell you anything about them or the doctor but I would be more interested in is he a melanoma specialist.

                          If not I would seek out where I could go to speak with a Melanoma Specialist as I feel this is the most important as they deal with melanoma all the time.

                          • October 20, 2015 at 7:08 pm
                          Janner
                          Participant

                            While I have not had a CLND via Dr. Andtbacka, he is a melanoma specialist with a very good reputation.  I know others who have had surgery via him.  I would think you are in good hands.  Huntsman's pathology department is very good, too.  They were recently upgraded to an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center which is a great designation to have when cancer centers are few and far between in the west.  I have consulted with him and he does have a good bedside manner as well.

                              • October 21, 2015 at 4:39 am
                              Birdlo
                              Participant

                                My experience with Dr Andtbacka has been very positive so far. I think Huntsman is good too. I guess I'm just uncovering all possibilities. I fear I'm starting to look like a crazy person on here with all my questions and over-analysis. I guess it's what I do, especially when the stakes are high. 

                                Thanks for your positive words and reply. 

                                 

                                 

                                • October 21, 2015 at 4:39 am
                                Birdlo
                                Participant

                                  My experience with Dr Andtbacka has been very positive so far. I think Huntsman is good too. I guess I'm just uncovering all possibilities. I fear I'm starting to look like a crazy person on here with all my questions and over-analysis. I guess it's what I do, especially when the stakes are high. 

                                  Thanks for your positive words and reply. 

                                   

                                   

                                  • October 22, 2015 at 12:59 am
                                  momof4boys
                                  Participant
                                    I felt the same way as you 2 years ago when I had mine done. My surgeon’s nurse explained this complicated procedure over the phone on a Fri. Talk about questions and anxiety! It is a big surgery. I had mine done by a Mel surgeon and professor and I still got an infection.I did also get lymphadema which has changed my life. With that being said, I personally am 100℅ OK with my decision. I was able to get ipi 3 mg and haven’t recurred yet! This is a wicked disease and I personally wanted to do everything I could to get rid of it. It has been a rough road at times but there are plenty of people worse off.
                                    • October 22, 2015 at 12:59 am
                                    momof4boys
                                    Participant
                                      I felt the same way as you 2 years ago when I had mine done. My surgeon’s nurse explained this complicated procedure over the phone on a Fri. Talk about questions and anxiety! It is a big surgery. I had mine done by a Mel surgeon and professor and I still got an infection.I did also get lymphadema which has changed my life. With that being said, I personally am 100℅ OK with my decision. I was able to get ipi 3 mg and haven’t recurred yet! This is a wicked disease and I personally wanted to do everything I could to get rid of it. It has been a rough road at times but there are plenty of people worse off.
                                      • October 22, 2015 at 12:59 am
                                      momof4boys
                                      Participant
                                        I felt the same way as you 2 years ago when I had mine done. My surgeon’s nurse explained this complicated procedure over the phone on a Fri. Talk about questions and anxiety! It is a big surgery. I had mine done by a Mel surgeon and professor and I still got an infection.I did also get lymphadema which has changed my life. With that being said, I personally am 100℅ OK with my decision. I was able to get ipi 3 mg and haven’t recurred yet! This is a wicked disease and I personally wanted to do everything I could to get rid of it. It has been a rough road at times but there are plenty of people worse off.
                                        • October 21, 2015 at 4:39 am
                                        Birdlo
                                        Participant

                                          My experience with Dr Andtbacka has been very positive so far. I think Huntsman is good too. I guess I'm just uncovering all possibilities. I fear I'm starting to look like a crazy person on here with all my questions and over-analysis. I guess it's what I do, especially when the stakes are high. 

                                          Thanks for your positive words and reply. 

                                           

                                           

                                        • October 20, 2015 at 7:08 pm
                                        Janner
                                        Participant

                                          While I have not had a CLND via Dr. Andtbacka, he is a melanoma specialist with a very good reputation.  I know others who have had surgery via him.  I would think you are in good hands.  Huntsman's pathology department is very good, too.  They were recently upgraded to an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center which is a great designation to have when cancer centers are few and far between in the west.  I have consulted with him and he does have a good bedside manner as well.

                                          • October 20, 2015 at 7:08 pm
                                          Janner
                                          Participant

                                            While I have not had a CLND via Dr. Andtbacka, he is a melanoma specialist with a very good reputation.  I know others who have had surgery via him.  I would think you are in good hands.  Huntsman's pathology department is very good, too.  They were recently upgraded to an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center which is a great designation to have when cancer centers are few and far between in the west.  I have consulted with him and he does have a good bedside manner as well.

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