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stacieklaus
New User
Joined: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject: question on SLN biopsy |
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Hello. I have breslows .82 and clarks level 4 nodular melanoma. I met with surgeon and wish now I would of asked more questions. I was curious why they are doing the SLN biopsy along with the excision scheduled for next tuesday. Is it standard or is it because the suspect lymph node involvement? Does anyone have a story similar to mine that could give me some input? I try not to read too much out there, but this website has been extrememly helpful. My surgeon had also stated I would more than likely see an oncologist after surgery results. Is this standard also or are they beating around the bush a bit? I just want the truth. I know we can't predict the future, but the knowledge and peoples stories really help. Thank you!
God bless all of you and your families |
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brainman
Chief Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4441
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject: Re: question on SLN biopsy |
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stacieklaus, I am not sure how big of an excision they plan to do. Usually, a SLN biopsy is much easier to do and much easier for the patient to recover from... to say nothing of possible saving a lot of health lymph nodes since they will only remove one. A SLN biopsy is not always practical due to the location of the primary tumor but when possible it is an excellent option to consider.
I am not sure if this answers your question because I do not know how much you know about biopsies and SLN biopsies in particular. I will be glad to answer more questions. Just ask.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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Red13
New User
Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 3
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject: re: question on SLN biopsy |
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I just went through this. Breslow 1.0mm, clarks level 4, unulcerated. Had WLE and SNB on July 10th (node was clear). Going to the oncologist was scarier than going into the surgery for me, but it turned out to be the best appointment I've had since this all of this began (all of my questions were answered!). If possible, make sure your oncologist is a melanoma specialist. I will try to message you my contact info, just in case you have questions about the surgery, recovery etc. Hope that helps a little!
PS - don't try to do to much in the days following the surgery. I went for a walk a couple days after the surgery and developed a seroma. |
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Jotto
Regular
Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 48
Location: Biloxi MS
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:06 am Post subject: Re: question on SLN biopsy |
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You can figure about 2 cm around the site of melanoma. Doing the snlb is a precaution to make sure it hasn't spread further.
It will be a good scar, but I would rather have the scar then the other side of the coin.
_________________
Jim
Keep the faith, we all have too much to live for.
My journey with melanoma: http://www.cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8547
My Blog: http://james.healthblogs.org/ |
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DietrichS
Regular
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: question on SLN biopsy |
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| I had a small mole on my back that turned purplish/redish and an awkward shape. It was obviously melanoma. I had a sentinel lymph dissection and the wide excision. The lymph node dissection healed up WAY faster than the wide excision. I had ~10-20 staples...(it's been like...7 years? so i forget exactly) and they all healed up fine without much infection. I thought a few got infected and jumped on some antibiotics and they healed up fine. The wide excision though was a different story. It was all stitched up and fine for a day or so IIRC and then I developed a hematoma/seroma that was very very large and painful as it put so much pressure on the stitches and my back in general. To combat this I was given a heat pack "vest" kind of that was always on my back to try to break down the hematoma/seroma so that it could be drained. I ended up popping some stitches and the scar ended up looking pretty nasty. I dont care what it looks like though. It is probably 3.5" long by .5" wide. |
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