Hi,

I'm sorry you are both going through this long wait after your daughter's diagnosis.

A Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy has to be done at the same time as the Wide Local Excision. It involves dye being injected into the site of the melanoma & it's tracked to the node to the nearest node(s). The node is then biopsied. This procedure needs a radiologist and this causes the delay - unfortunately this is a countrywide problem (pre Covid this procedure would have been carried out within a month of diagnosis).

Some patients decide not to have the SLNB, either because of the delay or because of the possible side effects it can cause (which should have been explained to your daughter). Instead, they rely on 'watch & wait' with regular ultrasounds of the nodal area. 

The SLNB is a Staging Tool and isn't treatment, although a positive SLNB will hasten a treatment plan. The wait for these procedures is excruciating and the only advice I can give is that your daughter tells the hospital that she's happy to take a last minute cancellation (if she's in a position to drop everything at short notice). Sometimes cancellations come up so she may be lucky. 

Good luck to you both & please let us know how she gets on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you so much for your detailed response - a cancellation would be a good option for her so I'll mention that to her. 

She had since told me that the consultant she saw did feel her groin error and was not at all worried by anything but the sooner the better really. 

I see you have been stage 3 since 2009 - how is your treatment progressing - are you stable? 

I think my daughter is stage 2b 

Thank you so much again

Hello Sweetpea 1962 and thanks for your post,

It is difficult to give an opinion without being involved in your daughter's care but three months does seem quite a long time.

If your daughter has a dermatology nurse she could try and speak to them and let them know that she is concerned that the biopsy is taking so long. It maybe a good idea to ask if there was a cancellation whether she could be seen earlier.

You could also encourage your daughter to speak to Pals at her local hospital and ask if they could look in to it for her.

I am not sure what stage your daughter's melanoma is but it could be a marginal decision as to whether she needs the lymph node biopsy or not.

We have more information about having a biopsy which you both may find helpful to read.

Melanoma UK is a useful charity to also get in touch with. It has some helpful questions to ask her doctors.

If you would like to speak to one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a ring. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

all the best,

Catherine