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Lymph node question
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Lymph node question

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Lymph node question

  • Post
    • April 11, 2017 at 1:11 am
    Michelle820
    Participant

      Hi, back in December I had a melanoma insitu removed from my left chest. Had a WLE margins clear. Have been to my follow up spots where the Doc palpates for nodes etc. 

      Myfirst question is why do they do that? This is a nieve question I know, but with an insitu ? or is this just common medical practice? So the Dr explained the importance of monthly skins checks and to check lymph nodes too. Well about a month ago I felt axcillary nodes! I called his office nurse who directed me to my primary Doctor. She felt them but had me wait a few weeks. So while at home I am now really checking my nodes out of curiosity, and low and behold I find one under my left clavicle (infraclavicular area). I just realized this is about maybe 5-7 inches above my scar from the WLE.

      My primary is waiting to hear back from my derm specialist to see what tests she should order-I'm getting impatient and a little frustrated at this point. I did have an ultrasound that confirmed it was a node, however, it is less than a cm. Any insight?  Ty:)

       

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        • April 11, 2017 at 1:31 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          An in situ cannot get to your lymphatic system, there is absolutely no way for it to enter lymph or blood vessels. So, I have no clue why they have been checking your lymph nodes. The only way this could spread is if they were wrong when diagnosing you.. which would be a huge issue for them. Lymph nodes swell all the time, and unless we are waiting and looking for it, we usually don't even notice. I would not worry much about this.

            • April 11, 2017 at 1:52 am
            Michelle820
            Participant

              Thanks! Definitely not implying it's melanoma related- but kinda confusing why my primary dr  has to consult with the derm specialist?! Obviously could be from so many other things. Just wanted to get some insight.

              • April 11, 2017 at 2:21 am
              jennunicorn
              Participant

                Primary docs know very little about melanoma, so based off your medical history it wouldn't be unsual for them to go to the derm when something like this comes up. 

              • April 12, 2017 at 4:07 pm
              Bethharte
              Participant

                Your lymph are the sentinals of your bodys immune system. If they are swollen it means that your body's is fighting. They swell if you have an infection, a virus , a more than superficial cut or laceration. It would not be unusual for your near by lymph node to swell after a surgery, it's expected. It is highly unlikely that a melanoma classed as insitu would have spread to a lymph node but it is possible that your doctor is being dillligent and asking for a specialists advice about weather a Sentinal Node Biopsy is neccesary  Going forward you will find that during most follow up visits palpating your lymph nodes will be a routine just like taking your blood pressure or listening to your heart and lungs

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