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WLE and SNB for recurrance that is thin?

Forums General Melanoma Community WLE and SNB for recurrance that is thin?

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    AZJulie85
    Participant

      I am currently Stage 3b after having had two WLE and negative SNB's on the left leg and did one month of high dose interferon. Seems like every 5 years, melanoma reappears on my leg.  My derm just did a shave biopsy in the same area that came back as melanoma , but it is very thin (.2mm).  Will be seeing my oncologist and onc.

      I am currently Stage 3b after having had two WLE and negative SNB's on the left leg and did one month of high dose interferon. Seems like every 5 years, melanoma reappears on my leg.  My derm just did a shave biopsy in the same area that came back as melanoma , but it is very thin (.2mm).  Will be seeing my oncologist and onc. surgeon next week, but am wondering if I should be expecting them to suggest a Wide Local Excision (WLE) and Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) again due to it being a recurrance, even though it is very thin?  The biopsy was a 5 x 4 x 1mm area, and the path report did say the melanoma extended to the edges of the specimen.   The derm scheduled an excision, but I thought I should probably get consult first from my previous surgeon – if he doesn't suggest a WLE should I insist on it?  Any thoughts on WLE and SNB would be appreciated. 

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        lhaley
        Participant

          This doesn't sound like a recurrance, more like another primary.  You will be told to have a wide excision, that is normal procedure. Usually SNB's are only done if they are 1mm or thicker. Other reasons would be high mitosis. 

          I hope you have a quick recovery!

          Linda

          Stage IV

          lhaley
          Participant

            This doesn't sound like a recurrance, more like another primary.  You will be told to have a wide excision, that is normal procedure. Usually SNB's are only done if they are 1mm or thicker. Other reasons would be high mitosis. 

            I hope you have a quick recovery!

            Linda

            Stage IV

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