Scalp Melanoma

Hi Wil;

Sorry you are here and have to experience this. Yes melanoma is an equal opportunity pain in the ass. It does affect people with darker skin less, but still pops up. I think better minds than mine will answer some of your questions. My lesion was on my back, not my scalp, so different animals. Mine had already spread, so no lymph node issues. I would say that I would think they would only look at the closest lymph node, not more than that. If your sentinel (closest) lymph node is involved, then further treatment issues come up. When it comes to the scalp, my understanding is that they will involve a skilled surgeon, because they have to “clear your margins” ie, make sure that you don’t have any melanoma lurking around the edges of the mole that they removed. The same reason for checking your lymph node, as that seems to be the most likely place for it to travel. It will be somewhat painful and uncomfortable, but that should pass quickly. My prayer is that you have no cancer cells outside of the mole that was removed! Again, many others much smarter and better versed in the science will chime in, but I wanted to pass on the love and hope.

 

Ted

Hey Wil,

Big shout out to your barber!  And to you for acting on his findings rapidly.  Sadly, you are correct.  Melanoma does not play by any rules.  It took the life of Bob Marley, by the way!  I wrote this a while back:  https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2013/02/melanomaa-disease-without-discrimination.html

Sounds like your doc is doing all the right things – Getting a wide local excision.  Finding and removing the sentinel nodes (the ones that light up with the injection of the isotope).  And grafting over the scalp excision as needed.  You will know your stage after the pathology of the lesion and nodes are determined.  As to the injection – I’ve had it done in my hand and it does sting like a mother – for just a bit – and then you’re done.

You’ve got this!  There are many smart and caring peeps on this forum.  Do not hesitate to reach out again if you have more questions.  Feel free to use the search bubble on my blog if you are needing info on various terms that are thrown at you in the coming days.  I wish you my best.  celeste

I had mel on my ear and had lymph nodes removed from my neck. The injection stung, but didn’t last long at all. My experience was not what I was expecting at all. With all the nerves being moved around I didnt experience any pain at all post operation. Just numbness that has taken almost a year for most of it to go away. I never even took a pain killer despite having a prescription for one. Only took advil for swelling. Hard to forecast, but good luck, the waiting was the most difficult part of the journey for me.

I was diagnosed with Scalp Melanoma this past October (2020).

I am a 69 year old North European with very light skin. Surgery removed a circular area of skin around 2″ diameter. A graft from my thigh was used to patch it.

I have a dent in my head, since the surgeon took a very thin layer of skin for the patch. One lymph node tested positive, so it was removed at the same time.

The surgery was not a big deal as far as discomfort/pain. Never took meds for pain after surgery.

A PET scan indicated no ‘hot spots’ anywhere post-surgery.

Currently undergoing Opdivo therapy monthly with absolutely no side effects.

The only question for me is how much time I am buying with Opdivo.

If I can answer any specifics, please let me know.

 

Wil, too bad that you’ve been picked to join us. The scalp doesn’t hold too many nerves. I had two craniotomy, one left me with 24 staples to close, never had any pain after surgery. I was given a prescription of oxytocin and never took one. The tracer injection on your surgery day will be a bit painful, but won’t last more than fifteen seconds. Wishing you the best, I’ll keep you in my prayers.

I am glad to hear it is over. My original melanoma was on my neck. Neck and head melanomas are more likely to meta size to the brain, which is what mine did. What is your follow up plan?

Neck and head wounds hurt like hell but I hate stronger stuff and just endure it with Hugh does Tylenol. All of the movement makes it worse.

keep going to that barber. My dentist has diagnosed mouth cancer twice.

Hey Will,

 

Happy to hear your surgery was successful and sorry to hear you were in pain afterwards.

 

I agree with JudiAU, head and neck are more prone to spread to the brain which is the really scary stuff. My husband had a wide excision like you have just had then 2 years later had to have a full neck dissection (removal of all the lymph nodes in an area) and then another 2 years later had the Mets spread to his brain and other areas.  The good news is they have some pretty amazing immunotherapies now and that they have had success using them as adjuvant therapy even when they think you are all clear after surgery. I hope you consider taking these if they are offered to you.

 

One mistake I feel my husband and I made over the years is not being vigilant enough and advocating more strongly.

 

I wish you a speedy recovery.

~Crystal