Hi,

I also had a mole removed from my leg prior to Christmas and the outcome was also stage1b. One or two family members are happy to talk about but the rest don’t approach the subject and it makes me feel like an elephant in the room! I have a consultation on the 20th Feb about my lymph node biopsy, I’m still in 2 minds whether to go ahead with it! What’s making you scared?

I think it's just my other medical conditions, as I was just getting over this diagnosis, I was diagnosed with a rare form of asthma, which also has links to skin cancer, and I am finding it really difficult to breath, am also overweight so I think it's just my other conditions. If it weren't for them I would have no worries about this procedure. Do nt get me wrong,  even with my concerns I am still going ahead with the surgery as I don't think I will feel that the Cancer has truly been removed until I have been through the surgery. 

Please know that you aren't alone and we can chat at any time on here. I'm sorry that you have other health problems & are now dealing with this too. I'm interested to know about the rare form of asthma that has links to skin cancer. I've never heard of this & would love more information. We know that breast cancer & melanoma can share links but it's interesting to know melanoma can be linked to other health issues.

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Hey ! I hope you are feeling ok?! 
I got diagnosed with melanoma 2a and I need a wide excision done too and had a consultation today about the lymph node biopsy. Mine was 1.1mm thick and I felt that although they didn’t say either way the consultant was more pushing away from having the biopsy done ? Saying I’m only just in the bracket to test and it’s a 2+month wait to have it done and a lot of risks involved. She said most people with 1.1mm thickness are 80% likely to come back negative for spread. I’m so confused and don’t know what to do??? 
are you having stitches or skin flap/graft ? Xxx

Oh gosh I’m sorry to hear about the diagnosis of your asthma. I know it’s easier said than done but try not to worry! As Angie said we are here if you ever need to talk to someone (that being said I will admit that I’m not the best for replying to messages) Try and keep yourself busy if you can and do things that you enjoy to try and take your mind off the biopsy.

Take care xx

Hi! I hope you’re doing okay! I’m not sure if it’s the same up and down the country but I’m in Fife, Scotland and all my appointments so far have been with Dermatology. At my appointment when I was told my mole was a melanoma, the Dermatologist consultant said I could get the lymph node biopsy but it was optional and he mentioned the risks etc but didn’t go into too much detail as he said it was the plastics team that dealt with the biopsy and they would answer any question/queries I had. Anyway I asked the dermatologist consultant his thoughts on the biopsy and would he recommend getting it done. He told me if I had asked him 4 years ago he would have said no but he said the testing for melanoma is constantly changing and the biopsies that they do now are much more advanced than they were 4 years ago and he said he would get it done. It will be interesting to hear what the plastic consultant says about it, 2 different doctors working in different departments! My melanoma was 1.1 just over the threshold for being staged as 1a so that’s why I’m thinking about not getting it done. I’ll make my decision once I’ve been for my consultation xx

It’s so hard making these decisions isn’t it ! 
I had a mole removed on Jan 2nd and when they called me back in 2 weeks later for my results this was all done with dermatology department. They advised to have the lymph node biopsy as I needed a wide excision anyway so it would all be done at the same time and it’s peace of mind….. 2 weeks later (today) I had my consultation at a plastic surgery department in a hospital an hour away from where I live, and they gave me the risks but I just felt like the consultant was pushing me away from having it done and saying it’s a choice and not a necessity.

It’s offered to anyone from 1mm thickness and in literally just inside that bracket like you! They said it’s T2A stage which is intermediate risk.

are you thinking you don’t want to know if it’s spread or more the fact that you don’t have symptoms ? Xxxx

Hi Prinny, I opted for the biopsy as I want to make sure it has not got into lymph nodes as from there it can go anywhere in the body. Lost both my father and brother to cancer so don't want to take any chances.

Xx

Thank you for your reply. I’m 99% sure I am going to have the biopsy, I’m just very scared about having it done with the potential risks and such a long time off work due to being a hairdresser they said no lifting my arm. But that being said I think it’s the right decision for me, and I agree with you if there is history of it and potential of it spreading then you need to know ! Xxx

I’ve just had my consultation with plastics about the lymph node biopsy and was told more information that I didn’t know which has now changed my mind to go and get the biopsy done. The box on my pathology report for the presence of lymphovascular has been ticked yes so according to the plastics consultant, this increases the risk for me to 50% of melanoma being detected in my lymph nodes. He says because I’m very young (33) I’m at the higher risk end for my age group and he is pushing for me to get the biopsy done. The dermatologist consultant didn’t tell me this. So the plastics consultant is going ahead and booking an appointment for the biopsy (he says I can still cancel if I change my mind) and he thinks it should be the end of March which is not really that long if a wait.

The reason that I didn’t want to get it done in the first place was the risk of getting lymphoedema! I’m not overly concerned about any of the risks to be honest but lymphoedema was a big one for me. It still is but knowing what I know now I think it’s better to go ahead with the biopsy.

Have you thought anymore about your biopsy? 

Xx