SNB for Melanoma?

[chirok17]

Hi. Husband, age 46, was recently dx'd with superficial spreading melanoma, T1a (Clark's level: II, Breslow's measurement: 0.82mm, regression present).  Initial excision biopsy of lower back mole (May 28/07), with close skin margin of 0.2mm. Second WLE done 6 weeks later: no residual melanocytic proliferation identified. The specialist is now offering sentinel node biopsy, due to the fact of regression and younger age. However, she says there is only 5-10% chance of having positive node(s). We are confused as to whether or not it should be done. Would the benefit outweigh the risks? If we took a "wait-and-see" approach, would the outcome be much worse than catching it early, if it were present in the nodes? Thanks for your reply.

[Pum]

I'm not sure anyone other than your specialist can advise you on this. My friend was in a similar position and she elected not to have the node biopsy. It wouldn't change the outcome or treatment just give her a better or worse prognosis so she said she'd rather not know.

Other cancers are different but removing nodes for melanoma, doesn't change anything, just gives more clues to how likely it is to return, is my understanding. My understanding may not be 100% I admit.

Good luck to you and your husband.

[chirok17]

The only thing I can recommend is to keep pushing for answers until you are satisfied. Be assertive. If you aren't getting the information you want or need, seek another opinion. With a history of melanoma, I am surprised no one has suggested a biopsy of this "new" lesion. Hopefully the new dermatologist will do one. My husband's dermatologist thinks that anything that looks suspicious needs to be removed. It is usually a fairly simple (in-office) procedure, and you need to be sure to have peace of mind. The hardest part is waiting for pathology results.
Good luck to you and your husband.
*Karen*

[CK24]

I'm rather new to this chat/forum thing... My husband had a hx of melanoma on his chest. He was deployed and returned almost 5 years ago now. We are having a hard time tracing this new lesion back but believe it appeared while away (and in the sun). It is flat, tan, irregular and spreading. We had two previous opinions that this lesion was benign and called a "birth mark"~ funny since it wasn't there since birth. I made an apt tomorrow with a new dermatologist and curious if you have any insight to the questions I should be asking or the tests I should be pushing for. No previous biopsies were ever done. The lesion is large... very large, and very easily mistaken for a "birth mark" due to it's appearance (light tan, blochy, flat). I'm nervous, worried etc etc. Just looking for some insight. Thank you for any help you can give~ worried wife

[yhwh]

Check out Dr. Budwigs website.  Also check out Barleans website.  As for myself and my cancer though totally different than what you are facing, I should have had it checked out sooner.  I have by the grace of God came through, yet I do not see cancer as something to wait and see what happens. Early detection is always better they say.