Hi, always a worry when any cancer treatment is delayed...but if it makes u feel better my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma 3 years ago, hers had spread and she was told she had less then a year to live... however 3 years later she is still going strong, thanks to the wonder of immunotherapy. Melanoma seems to be one of the more treatable cancers now..my husband on the other hand is losing his battle after not quite a year and only 44...stage 4 oesophagus cancer. We also live abroad (me nz and my sister Australia).hang in there, eat well, look after your body and hopefully u will get your op soon.... probably more dangerous going near the hospital anyway at the moment, best to stay clear as having cancer puts u at higher risk of this virus. And keep an eye on what treatments are available for your cancer in UK and move if u have to- we were thinking of going back to UK after Tom's diagnosis and didnt, turns out there was a treatment he should have had which wasnt funded here but would have been started straight away in UK for free. We spent thousands trying it when we found out but it was too late then and didn't work. I will always wonder......

Hi,

You don't say how thick your melanoma was or what Stage you are? I'm assuming it was over 0.8mm in depth as a lymph node biopsy isn't usually offered for thinner melanomas.

If you are being treated in Spain their treatment must differ from the UK as a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy has to be done at the same time as the Wide Local Excision. I know a couple of people who couldn't have theirs done because of the virus situation & they are now not able to have it after their WLE. 

With regards to spread whilst waiting - the initial excision gets 99.9% -100% of the melanoma out. The WLE mops up any possible cells in the surrounding tissue. The SLNB looks to see if the melanoma has already spread to the nearest lymph node & it will mean they can accurately stage you & decide if you just need monitoring or, if it's in the lymph node, if further surgery and/or adjuvant drug treatment is the next step. If the melanoma is going to spread to your Sentinel Node it will have already done so - a wait for the procedure will make no difference.

On a personal level, I wasn't offered a SLNB in 1996 when I was diagnosed Stage 1 (0.7mm depth). 13 years later it returned in my groin & pelvic nodes. A SLNB wouldn't have made a difference as it bypassed my sentinel node & jumped straight to my groin but took 13 years to do it! Also, it would have already been travelling through my lymphatic system by the time the melanoma was removed so a SLNB wouldn't have told us anything. However, I'm still here 11 years later & I'm still fit, healthy & have no sign of the disease. Melanoma treatment has made great strides in success over the years & continues to do so. So please don't worry about the wait for your node biopsy - you will be well cared for.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Hi AngieT

Thanks for your reply

I have papers to show it is a Melanoma Breslow 2.2mm Lumbar and ulcerated. They have said until the Lymph gland removal they cannot stage but somewhere between 2A and 3C?

Today they have sent a letter stating I need a groin ultrasound but not until after CV has ceased, and also Lymph node removal?

This was meant to be done the same time as my WLE

it's great to speak to someone who has been through it! It's hard here because I am in isolation in Spain, recently divorced and my 19 year old daughter has just gone back to live in the UK. I also don't speak fluent Spanish so not always sure what they are telling me!

Thanks Again 

xx

Hi,

OK, so with that Breslow thickness & ulceration you are currently, at least, Stage 2b. Obviously this would change if any node involvement is detected. 

If they are talking about a groin ultrasound it may be that they will use the result of this rather than a node biopsy to decide on the next step. Patients who choose not to have the SLNB tend to be offered the ultrasound instead, rather than 'as well as'.

You must feel isolated, especially going through this alone. I will send you a friend request so that we can chat by private message.

Best wishes,

Angie

AngieT

Thanks

Angie, I have sent you a friend request and would really appreciate if I could take a couple of minutes of your time via private message to also discuss wait times. I've been given long wait times between biopsy, results and consultation for WLE and SLNB, which are concerning me. 

I've accepted your request if you want to pm me.