palpable lymph nodes near surgical site

In situ rarely spreads, so i’d try not to worry too much (yes, i know, easy to say, not to easy to do). Good for you for getting it checked out. Most likely it is in response to the excision, or even just a virus. Lymph nodes become enlarged when they’re fighting something off…maybe there’s a slight infection from the incision? As for the actual biopsy, my husband had a biopsy of a node in his neck…his surgeon did it in the office..not a huge deal they numbed the area around it. It took a few days to get the results. He was already stage 4 and had multiple surgeries, so his surgeon got him in right away and we assumed it was a reoccurrence, but my stubborn hubby was in denial:). Anyway, I’d start with the biopsy and see what is shows. If it shows no cancer, then count your blessings:) If it does show something, they’ll probably do a PETscan to see if it’s spread elsewhere.

In situ rarely spreads, so i’d try not to worry too much (yes, i know, easy to say, not to easy to do). Good for you for getting it checked out. Most likely it is in response to the excision, or even just a virus. Lymph nodes become enlarged when they’re fighting something off…maybe there’s a slight infection from the incision? As for the actual biopsy, my husband had a biopsy of a node in his neck…his surgeon did it in the office..not a huge deal they numbed the area around it. It took a few days to get the results. He was already stage 4 and had multiple surgeries, so his surgeon got him in right away and we assumed it was a reoccurrence, but my stubborn hubby was in denial:). Anyway, I’d start with the biopsy and see what is shows. If it shows no cancer, then count your blessings:) If it does show something, they’ll probably do a PETscan to see if it’s spread elsewhere.

In situ rarely spreads, so i’d try not to worry too much (yes, i know, easy to say, not to easy to do). Good for you for getting it checked out. Most likely it is in response to the excision, or even just a virus. Lymph nodes become enlarged when they’re fighting something off…maybe there’s a slight infection from the incision? As for the actual biopsy, my husband had a biopsy of a node in his neck…his surgeon did it in the office..not a huge deal they numbed the area around it. It took a few days to get the results. He was already stage 4 and had multiple surgeries, so his surgeon got him in right away and we assumed it was a reoccurrence, but my stubborn hubby was in denial:). Anyway, I’d start with the biopsy and see what is shows. If it shows no cancer, then count your blessings:) If it does show something, they’ll probably do a PETscan to see if it’s spread elsewhere.

Your surgery was 10 days ago?  Even a surgery for melanoma in situ is an "insult" to the body.  It is VERY COMMON to have lymph nodes swell after surgery.  MIS has close to a 100% cure rate – mainly because it lacks any way to spread.  Being confined to the epidermis means there are no lymph or blood vessels available for it to go anywhere.  Those vessels are located much deeper in the skin.  In addition, it is extremely rare to have a palpable node show up containing disease that quickly even if you had a much deeper lesion.  The standard protocol for an enlarged node would be to take some type of antibiotics first – and that is only if you didn't have some more obvious reason for the enlargement.  You do:  surgery..  They aren't going to biopsy this thing at this point in time and personally, I think you are jumping the gun and this is surgery related.  I will give you one warning, though.  Constantly "playing" with the node could cause it to become a "reactive node".  These are nodes that enlarge for some normal reason, but do not return to their normal size later.  Normally enlarged lymph nodes can take weeks to months to return to their normal small size.  Even though MIS doesn't take huge margins, it is still surgery, it still takes tissue down to the muscle fascia and it still is traumatic to the body.  Let yourself heal.  Give it some time and stop playing with the node.  It is VERY common to be anxious after a diagnoses – even MIS.  It takes time to resolve the diagnosis (the "C" word) with the actual risk.  And your risk is extremely low.  Take a deep breath and let your body heal….

Best wishes,

Janner

Your surgery was 10 days ago?  Even a surgery for melanoma in situ is an "insult" to the body.  It is VERY COMMON to have lymph nodes swell after surgery.  MIS has close to a 100% cure rate – mainly because it lacks any way to spread.  Being confined to the epidermis means there are no lymph or blood vessels available for it to go anywhere.  Those vessels are located much deeper in the skin.  In addition, it is extremely rare to have a palpable node show up containing disease that quickly even if you had a much deeper lesion.  The standard protocol for an enlarged node would be to take some type of antibiotics first – and that is only if you didn't have some more obvious reason for the enlargement.  You do:  surgery..  They aren't going to biopsy this thing at this point in time and personally, I think you are jumping the gun and this is surgery related.  I will give you one warning, though.  Constantly "playing" with the node could cause it to become a "reactive node".  These are nodes that enlarge for some normal reason, but do not return to their normal size later.  Normally enlarged lymph nodes can take weeks to months to return to their normal small size.  Even though MIS doesn't take huge margins, it is still surgery, it still takes tissue down to the muscle fascia and it still is traumatic to the body.  Let yourself heal.  Give it some time and stop playing with the node.  It is VERY common to be anxious after a diagnoses – even MIS.  It takes time to resolve the diagnosis (the "C" word) with the actual risk.  And your risk is extremely low.  Take a deep breath and let your body heal….

Best wishes,

Janner

Your surgery was 10 days ago?  Even a surgery for melanoma in situ is an "insult" to the body.  It is VERY COMMON to have lymph nodes swell after surgery.  MIS has close to a 100% cure rate – mainly because it lacks any way to spread.  Being confined to the epidermis means there are no lymph or blood vessels available for it to go anywhere.  Those vessels are located much deeper in the skin.  In addition, it is extremely rare to have a palpable node show up containing disease that quickly even if you had a much deeper lesion.  The standard protocol for an enlarged node would be to take some type of antibiotics first – and that is only if you didn't have some more obvious reason for the enlargement.  You do:  surgery..  They aren't going to biopsy this thing at this point in time and personally, I think you are jumping the gun and this is surgery related.  I will give you one warning, though.  Constantly "playing" with the node could cause it to become a "reactive node".  These are nodes that enlarge for some normal reason, but do not return to their normal size later.  Normally enlarged lymph nodes can take weeks to months to return to their normal small size.  Even though MIS doesn't take huge margins, it is still surgery, it still takes tissue down to the muscle fascia and it still is traumatic to the body.  Let yourself heal.  Give it some time and stop playing with the node.  It is VERY common to be anxious after a diagnoses – even MIS.  It takes time to resolve the diagnosis (the "C" word) with the actual risk.  And your risk is extremely low.  Take a deep breath and let your body heal….

Best wishes,

Janner