Who checks your lymph nodes?

Hi,

Different systems seem to operate in diifferent countries.My lymph nodes were checked out 3 monthly for the first 3 years by the plastics team who did the wide excision – not the dermatologist who did the biopsy. This was a small thin melanoma and should have been low risk for progression but I fell the wrong side of the 95% cure line.The risk of recurrence is highest in the 2 year period following treatment BUT can happen years later even after follow up has ceased.

My recurrence was lymph nodes in the groin. It seems strange to say but it really did seem like it went from nothing to a hard noticable lump under the skin the size of a large grape or a bit bigger. The lump was painless., but easy to spot / feel washing in the shower.

At your stage the harm of a sentinel lymph node biopsy would outweigh probable benefits so that was the right call.  

You should be aware of which lymph node group is nearest the original melanoma. This is the area at highest risk for lymph node spread, and so should be kept a particular eye on, but do not prod or poke at the nodes too frequently as they can enlarge due to the disturbance. 

You will probably feel reassured if the nodes are checked out professionally by your preferred team at least 6 monthly .

Best wishes

Deb

Hi,

Different systems seem to operate in diifferent countries.My lymph nodes were checked out 3 monthly for the first 3 years by the plastics team who did the wide excision – not the dermatologist who did the biopsy. This was a small thin melanoma and should have been low risk for progression but I fell the wrong side of the 95% cure line.The risk of recurrence is highest in the 2 year period following treatment BUT can happen years later even after follow up has ceased.

My recurrence was lymph nodes in the groin. It seems strange to say but it really did seem like it went from nothing to a hard noticable lump under the skin the size of a large grape or a bit bigger. The lump was painless., but easy to spot / feel washing in the shower.

At your stage the harm of a sentinel lymph node biopsy would outweigh probable benefits so that was the right call.  

You should be aware of which lymph node group is nearest the original melanoma. This is the area at highest risk for lymph node spread, and so should be kept a particular eye on, but do not prod or poke at the nodes too frequently as they can enlarge due to the disturbance. 

You will probably feel reassured if the nodes are checked out professionally by your preferred team at least 6 monthly .

Best wishes

Deb

Hi,

Different systems seem to operate in diifferent countries.My lymph nodes were checked out 3 monthly for the first 3 years by the plastics team who did the wide excision – not the dermatologist who did the biopsy. This was a small thin melanoma and should have been low risk for progression but I fell the wrong side of the 95% cure line.The risk of recurrence is highest in the 2 year period following treatment BUT can happen years later even after follow up has ceased.

My recurrence was lymph nodes in the groin. It seems strange to say but it really did seem like it went from nothing to a hard noticable lump under the skin the size of a large grape or a bit bigger. The lump was painless., but easy to spot / feel washing in the shower.

At your stage the harm of a sentinel lymph node biopsy would outweigh probable benefits so that was the right call.  

You should be aware of which lymph node group is nearest the original melanoma. This is the area at highest risk for lymph node spread, and so should be kept a particular eye on, but do not prod or poke at the nodes too frequently as they can enlarge due to the disturbance. 

You will probably feel reassured if the nodes are checked out professionally by your preferred team at least 6 monthly .

Best wishes

Deb

I had a thin melanoma (Stage 0) in February 2015.  At every visit since then (every six months), I have had my lymph nodes palpated by the dermatologists who see me (this is at a major university skin cancer clinic).  They also taught me how to do it for myself at home.  I pay particular attention to the lymph node basin closest to my lesion.

I had a thin melanoma (Stage 0) in February 2015.  At every visit since then (every six months), I have had my lymph nodes palpated by the dermatologists who see me (this is at a major university skin cancer clinic).  They also taught me how to do it for myself at home.  I pay particular attention to the lymph node basin closest to my lesion.

I had a thin melanoma (Stage 0) in February 2015.  At every visit since then (every six months), I have had my lymph nodes palpated by the dermatologists who see me (this is at a major university skin cancer clinic).  They also taught me how to do it for myself at home.  I pay particular attention to the lymph node basin closest to my lesion.