Tad

There are a lot of nerves that run through the armpit that can get cut or damaged during the SNB.  My surgeon said that it could take up to 18 months for the nerves to grow and for sensation to return.

My SNB was in my left armpit as well.  I'm just shy of two years out from the surgery, and I still have a numb patch on my back about the size of a grapefruit.  The nerves didn't really begin to grow back until about a year ago, when i started getting lots of tingling and occasionally even burning sensations.  In the grand scheme of things, it's really just an annoyance.

Good luck!
Tad

There are a lot of nerves that run through the armpit that can get cut or damaged during the SNB.  My surgeon said that it could take up to 18 months for the nerves to grow and for sensation to return.

My SNB was in my left armpit as well.  I'm just shy of two years out from the surgery, and I still have a numb patch on my back about the size of a grapefruit.  The nerves didn't really begin to grow back until about a year ago, when i started getting lots of tingling and occasionally even burning sensations.  In the grand scheme of things, it's really just an annoyance.

Good luck!
Tad

I was diagnosed a year ago with melanoma (1.9mm Breslow, Clark IV, 2 mitoses/mm2, nonulcerated) that evolved from a Spitz nevus (and itched — funny symptom for us all so far).  My understanding is that this is a very difficult diagnosis since the microscopic features of early stage melanoma and a Spitz nevus are similar.  My biopsy slides reviewed by three dermopathologists, and all agreed on malignant melanoma, although they disagreed on the exact depth.

From what it sounds like, you may want to seek a third opinion on the pathology.  While you're right that it's better to be safe than sorry, avoiding unnecessary surgery is not a bad thing (just a WLE vs WLE/SNB).

I waited about six weeks between diagnosis and surgery to have blood work, X-rays, and CT scans completed before surgery.  Two to three weeks doesn't sound out of the ordinary to me at all.

Not much I can offer on metastasis and lymph node involvement, other than to say it's uncommon in relatively thin tumors like the one you describe.  With luck, once the excision is complete, you will be free of melanoma and will just have to be vigilant in your skin checks and doctor's appointments.

I was diagnosed a year ago with melanoma (1.9mm Breslow, Clark IV, 2 mitoses/mm2, nonulcerated) that evolved from a Spitz nevus (and itched — funny symptom for us all so far).  My understanding is that this is a very difficult diagnosis since the microscopic features of early stage melanoma and a Spitz nevus are similar.  My biopsy slides reviewed by three dermopathologists, and all agreed on malignant melanoma, although they disagreed on the exact depth.

From what it sounds like, you may want to seek a third opinion on the pathology.  While you're right that it's better to be safe than sorry, avoiding unnecessary surgery is not a bad thing (just a WLE vs WLE/SNB).

I waited about six weeks between diagnosis and surgery to have blood work, X-rays, and CT scans completed before surgery.  Two to three weeks doesn't sound out of the ordinary to me at all.

Not much I can offer on metastasis and lymph node involvement, other than to say it's uncommon in relatively thin tumors like the one you describe.  With luck, once the excision is complete, you will be free of melanoma and will just have to be vigilant in your skin checks and doctor's appointments.

Hi Michael,

Your dad gets a big thumbs up for pushing the point of seeing a dermatologist.  It may seem odd that your brother has it as well despite not being a sun worshipper, but the genetic predisposition may run in the family.

After my diagnosis, my brother and mother both went in to the dermatologist.  My brother had three moles biopsied (thankfully all benign), while my mother was found to have basal cell carcinoma.  Now we are all diligent about following up with the dermatologists….

I'm sorry to hear about your brother's diagnosis, but if there is anyone who can educate him on melanoma, it's you!

Best wishes to you and your brother!

Hi Michael,

Your dad gets a big thumbs up for pushing the point of seeing a dermatologist.  It may seem odd that your brother has it as well despite not being a sun worshipper, but the genetic predisposition may run in the family.

After my diagnosis, my brother and mother both went in to the dermatologist.  My brother had three moles biopsied (thankfully all benign), while my mother was found to have basal cell carcinoma.  Now we are all diligent about following up with the dermatologists….

I'm sorry to hear about your brother's diagnosis, but if there is anyone who can educate him on melanoma, it's you!

Best wishes to you and your brother!

My SNB was last year, and I had three nodes removed from my left armpit (including one close to the chest wall).  The first few days after surgery I was tender, but it wasn't as bad as I expected.  I didn't really need any hardcore painkillers past that first day — ibuprofen did the trick.

After the surgery, I found the hardest thing was not to overdo it.  I felt fine, but if I was too active, my armpit would swell and the discomfort was pretty intense.  Giving yourself enough time to heal properly is the key.  After about 8 weeks, I was able to resume everything normally without discomfort.

Good luck with everything!

My SNB was last year, and I had three nodes removed from my left armpit (including one close to the chest wall).  The first few days after surgery I was tender, but it wasn't as bad as I expected.  I didn't really need any hardcore painkillers past that first day — ibuprofen did the trick.

After the surgery, I found the hardest thing was not to overdo it.  I felt fine, but if I was too active, my armpit would swell and the discomfort was pretty intense.  Giving yourself enough time to heal properly is the key.  After about 8 weeks, I was able to resume everything normally without discomfort.

Good luck with everything!

My SNB was last year, and I had three nodes removed from my left armpit (including one close to the chest wall).  The first few days after surgery I was tender, but it wasn't as bad as I expected.  I didn't really need any hardcore painkillers past that first day — ibuprofen did the trick.

After the surgery, I found the hardest thing was not to overdo it.  I felt fine, but if I was too active, my armpit would swell and the discomfort was pretty intense.  Giving yourself enough time to heal properly is the key.  After about 8 weeks, I was able to resume everything normally without discomfort.

Good luck with everything!

My SNB was last year, and I had three nodes removed from my left armpit (including one close to the chest wall).  The first few days after surgery I was tender, but it wasn't as bad as I expected.  I didn't really need any hardcore painkillers past that first day — ibuprofen did the trick.

After the surgery, I found the hardest thing was not to overdo it.  I felt fine, but if I was too active, my armpit would swell and the discomfort was pretty intense.  Giving yourself enough time to heal properly is the key.  After about 8 weeks, I was able to resume everything normally without discomfort.

Good luck with everything!