I recently had a 1b Melanoma and have been offered sentinel node biopsy but have today opted for wide local excision only!! am I mad to not go further and opt for the sentinel node biopsy ?
I am sorry to learn of your situation, this must be a difficult time.
You may have seen this already, we have information about sentinel node biopsy (SNLB) which includes the advantages and disadvantages.
Some patients with stage 1B melanomawill be offered a SNLB depending on the size of the melanoma and whether there are risk factors that the cancer may have spread such as if there is broken skin on the melanoma (ulcer), if there are cancer cells in the lymph vessels or blood vessels of the melanoma or if the cells are dividing quickly.
With your stage of melanoma, the role of sentinel node biopsy remains optional because it is not seen as a treatment. There is no evidence that this procedure improves overall survival from the disease, but as Ade 101 has mentioned it provides more information about the stage of the melanoma and gives doctors more guidance about what may happen.
If the node is found to have cancer cells, this will change the stage of the melanoma to stage 3 which means a person could have adjuvant treatment, to reduce the risk of the melanoma coming back.
As Ade 101 has also said a positive lymph node is found in 1 in 5 people (20%) who have the procedure done. You can read more about this on the Melanoma Focus website, they also have a helpline that you can contact at 0808 801 0777.
It is always difficult to decide this because the uncertainty can be difficult to deal with. There is no clear right or wrong answer and the doctors themselves are not clear on the benefits of having a SNLB in this situation. I am unsure when you are having your wide excision, if you have the time, it may be worth talking things through again with your specialist or nurse specialist (CNS).
I hope this helps a little. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
I am sorry to learn of your situation, this must be a difficult time.
You may have seen this already, we have information about sentinel node biopsy (SNLB) which includes the advantages and disadvantages.
Some patients with stage 1B melanomawill be offered a SNLB depending on the size of the melanoma and whether there are risk factors that the cancer may have spread such as if there is broken skin on the melanoma (ulcer), if there are cancer cells in the lymph vessels or blood vessels of the melanoma or if the cells are dividing quickly.
With your stage of melanoma, the role of sentinel node biopsy remains optional because it is not seen as a treatment. There is no evidence that this procedure improves overall survival from the disease, but as Ade 101 has mentioned it provides more information about the stage of the melanoma and gives doctors more guidance about what may happen.
If the node is found to have cancer cells, this will change the stage of the melanoma to stage 3 which means a person could have adjuvant treatment, to reduce the risk of the melanoma coming back.
As Ade 101 has also said a positive lymph node is found in 1 in 5 people (20%) who have the procedure done. You can read more about this on the Melanoma Focus website, they also have a helpline that you can contact at 0808 801 0777.
It is always difficult to decide this because the uncertainty can be difficult to deal with. There is no clear right or wrong answer and the doctors themselves are not clear on the benefits of having a SNLB in this situation. I am unsure when you are having your wide excision, if you have the time, it may be worth talking things through again with your specialist or nurse specialist (CNS).
I hope this helps a little. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
I was given a slot on the 31st May for the SNLB and was advised by the scheduler that the specialists with be in touch, regards the STATS I was under the impression the chances of a positive test is 10% not 20% ? That does change things a bit in my mind...I will discuss with my specialist and have words with myself :-) thanks so much for your kind response..
