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    brittanygrace23
    Participant

      Is it normal for them to remove a few lymph nodes at the same time as your excision as precaution? 

       

      My doctor wants to do that, but is it necessary? 

       

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    • Replies
        Janner
        Participant

          It's called a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, and depending on the depth of your lesion (should be listed in your pathology report), yes it is the standard protocol.  For very thin lesions, this isn't done but for lesions 1mm and deeper or for lesions that have other negative risk factors, it is the standard procedure.  It is to help with staging.  If they find melanoma in the lymph nodes, it will change your staging.

          Janner
          Participant

            It's called a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, and depending on the depth of your lesion (should be listed in your pathology report), yes it is the standard protocol.  For very thin lesions, this isn't done but for lesions 1mm and deeper or for lesions that have other negative risk factors, it is the standard procedure.  It is to help with staging.  If they find melanoma in the lymph nodes, it will change your staging.

              brittanygrace23
              Participant

                Hi, 

                the depth was 0.58 mm, non ulcerated. But bc it was a shave and not puncture. The whole thing wide and depth was melanoma. The path report called in situ, but also stated histologic type was superficial spreading. Mitotic index was less 1 /mm2

                The only reason I am question the lymph nodes now is bc my local dermatologist removed 2 more suspicious moles today, said he wouldn't take lymph nodes and would just do excision. 

                 

                Thanks for for any info. 

                brittanygrace23
                Participant

                  Hi, 

                  the depth was 0.58 mm, non ulcerated. But bc it was a shave and not puncture. The whole thing wide and depth was melanoma. The path report called in situ, but also stated histologic type was superficial spreading. Mitotic index was less 1 /mm2

                  The only reason I am question the lymph nodes now is bc my local dermatologist removed 2 more suspicious moles today, said he wouldn't take lymph nodes and would just do excision. 

                   

                  Thanks for for any info. 

                  brittanygrace23
                  Participant

                    Hi, 

                    the depth was 0.58 mm, non ulcerated. But bc it was a shave and not puncture. The whole thing wide and depth was melanoma. The path report called in situ, but also stated histologic type was superficial spreading. Mitotic index was less 1 /mm2

                    The only reason I am question the lymph nodes now is bc my local dermatologist removed 2 more suspicious moles today, said he wouldn't take lymph nodes and would just do excision. 

                     

                    Thanks for for any info. 

                    Janner
                    Participant

                      I'm confused. You say the whole thing was melanoma but the path report says in situ?  If it has a depth, it is not in situ.  Maybe it was in situ at the side margins?  Was the depth transsected?  Was the deep margin clear or involved?  Generally a SNB wouldn't be done on a stage 1a lesion like this.  But if the deep margin was involved, that means you don't know how deep the lesion really is.  Depth is how staging is determined and if a shave biopsy essentially cuts the lesion in two parts, you will never know the exact depth. (One reason why shave biopsies can be problematic if a lesion is melanoma.  It really helps if you post the entire path report, not bits and pieces because we are missing info here.  

                      If the lesion has been bisected, This is one of those gray areas where it might make sense to do the SNB since you don't know the full depth.  However, this is your decision. As for your other moles removed, unless they are melanoma, there is no reason to do the SNB.  The wide excision is done (with smaller margins) for atypical lesions that aren't melanoma, but have atypical or dysplastic features.  

                      Janner
                      Participant

                        I'm confused. You say the whole thing was melanoma but the path report says in situ?  If it has a depth, it is not in situ.  Maybe it was in situ at the side margins?  Was the depth transsected?  Was the deep margin clear or involved?  Generally a SNB wouldn't be done on a stage 1a lesion like this.  But if the deep margin was involved, that means you don't know how deep the lesion really is.  Depth is how staging is determined and if a shave biopsy essentially cuts the lesion in two parts, you will never know the exact depth. (One reason why shave biopsies can be problematic if a lesion is melanoma.  It really helps if you post the entire path report, not bits and pieces because we are missing info here.  

                        If the lesion has been bisected, This is one of those gray areas where it might make sense to do the SNB since you don't know the full depth.  However, this is your decision. As for your other moles removed, unless they are melanoma, there is no reason to do the SNB.  The wide excision is done (with smaller margins) for atypical lesions that aren't melanoma, but have atypical or dysplastic features.  

                        Janner
                        Participant

                          I'm confused. You say the whole thing was melanoma but the path report says in situ?  If it has a depth, it is not in situ.  Maybe it was in situ at the side margins?  Was the depth transsected?  Was the deep margin clear or involved?  Generally a SNB wouldn't be done on a stage 1a lesion like this.  But if the deep margin was involved, that means you don't know how deep the lesion really is.  Depth is how staging is determined and if a shave biopsy essentially cuts the lesion in two parts, you will never know the exact depth. (One reason why shave biopsies can be problematic if a lesion is melanoma.  It really helps if you post the entire path report, not bits and pieces because we are missing info here.  

                          If the lesion has been bisected, This is one of those gray areas where it might make sense to do the SNB since you don't know the full depth.  However, this is your decision. As for your other moles removed, unless they are melanoma, there is no reason to do the SNB.  The wide excision is done (with smaller margins) for atypical lesions that aren't melanoma, but have atypical or dysplastic features.  

                          brittanygrace23
                          Participant

                            Is there a way to post a picture of my path report here? I'm using cellphone and don't see an option to upload from my pictures. 

                             

                             

                            brittanygrace23
                            Participant

                              Is there a way to post a picture of my path report here? I'm using cellphone and don't see an option to upload from my pictures. 

                               

                               

                              brittanygrace23
                              Participant

                                Is there a way to post a picture of my path report here? I'm using cellphone and don't see an option to upload from my pictures. 

                                 

                                 

                                brittanygrace23
                                Participant

                                  I can send to you via email, send me an email

                                  brittanygrace23@yahoo.com

                                  brittanygrace23
                                  Participant

                                    I can send to you via email, send me an email

                                    brittanygrace23@yahoo.com

                                    brittanygrace23
                                    Participant

                                      I can send to you via email, send me an email

                                      brittanygrace23@yahoo.com

                                    Janner
                                    Participant

                                      It's called a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, and depending on the depth of your lesion (should be listed in your pathology report), yes it is the standard protocol.  For very thin lesions, this isn't done but for lesions 1mm and deeper or for lesions that have other negative risk factors, it is the standard procedure.  It is to help with staging.  If they find melanoma in the lymph nodes, it will change your staging.

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