Hi

i was diagnosed with a 2b melanoma in April I have now had the wide excision but they were unable to take the sentinal node. The wide excision margin that is taken depends on your original tumour depth, mine was 1.8 so 2cm margins have been taken. I did want the sentinal node biopsy because it gives you a "heads up" if the melanoma has spread but I don't have that option now. 

I looked at the NICE guidelines before agreeing to the surgery. 

Hope that helps good luck x

I haven't been diagnosed yet but my GP has referred me to the raapid accesss clinic (cancer pathway)and have appton Tuesday.  Mole is black, on my back - GP said she didn't like it!  I've looked at all the stages and a b and c and decided that 2 a b or c would be relatively ok -preferably.  Can I ask what the sentinel node is place - I know they can test to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes - can they do anything about it if it has spread?  What would be the point in not having it if thee was some treatment

Hi Catrin

how you getting on? Have you been seen by dermatology yet?

the sentinal node is the lymph node most likely to be affected IF the melanoma has spread, it's the node the lymphatic system is most likely to drain to and therefore contain melanoma IF it has spread. If the sentinal node contains melanoma then other lymph nodes are then removed in the hope of stopping the spread, my understanding is that a scan would then be offered.

i have just had a PET CT scan to see if the melanoma has spread and I'm awaiting results Hope your ok x

I have had my wide excision procedure 3 weeks ago. It was performed by a Plastic Surgeon in an operating theatre, unlike the biopsy. Still just local anaesthetic, so felt nothing. A wider, deeper margin is made to ensure all the melanoma is gone. Mine was Stage 2b, so the scar is quite large. It has healed well and is just a flap of skin, not skin graft. I did not want a Sentinel node biopsy as I already have Oedema in my legs and read that procedure could make this worse. I discussed this with my Dermatologist and he said that the results/ prognosis for those who have/ do not have Sentinel node biopsy was roughly the same.

I also have Stage 1 Breast Cancer and have been told the same by my cancer surgeon. My breast cancer is being treated by Letrozole only at present.

Pathology on my Melanoma showed there was no cancer remaining. I still have appointments with Plastics and Dermatologist to come. My cancer nurse says I will have 3 monthly body checks.