My 76 year old uncle who lived alone had an "intermediate melanoma" removed off his back and ideally would have had a sentinel lymph node biopsy to determine any spread of the disease. Unfortunately due to having had heart surgery he couldnt have a general anaesthetic and so this type of biopsy was not an option for him.

His melanoma was classed as  "intermediate" which i believe means there is a high risk of the disease spreading.

In view of this and the fact he couldnt have a SLNB surely they should have offered him either ultrasound to see if the disease had spread to the lymph nodes or other scan. Is there any other way of ascertaining whether or not it had spread.

After the melanoma had been removed the plan was to do clinical examinations and continue with this on 3 monthly check ups. Surely if the melanoma was graded as high risk why did they not offer a scan or any alternative;

Unfortunately the cancer had spread and he died within 6 months of his operation.

I would appreciate your views on firstly if given the grading on the melanomaas high risk of spreading is this usual not to have a scan and secondly are there any alternative courses of action when a Sentinel lymph node biopsy is not possible. There must be some other way to see if the cancer has spread .

many thanks Andy