palpable lymph nodes near surgical site

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    • December 24, 2012 at 6:12 am
    mom.of.2.littles.MIS
    Participant

      Hi there

      I am new here.

       

      I was diagnosed w. Melanoma in situ 10 days ago, on my neck and was able to have a wide excision done the same day.  The margins came back clear.

       

      So I thought phew….

       

      well 10 days later, I just happened to feel a palpable lymph node the size of a pea in my posterior cervical lymph nodes.  This is just 2cm or so away from the edge of my incision.

       

       

      I am so nervous ;/

      My derm said to wait it out a few wks 

       

      Hi there

      I am new here.

       

      I was diagnosed w. Melanoma in situ 10 days ago, on my neck and was able to have a wide excision done the same day.  The margins came back clear.

       

      So I thought phew….

       

      well 10 days later, I just happened to feel a palpable lymph node the size of a pea in my posterior cervical lymph nodes.  This is just 2cm or so away from the edge of my incision.

       

       

      I am so nervous ;/

      My derm said to wait it out a few wks 

       

      I chose to go ahead and see my family dr and a gen surgeon who I have seen once prior for unrelated issue.  I will be seeing them both next Thursday (27th Dec)  I have a huge deductible, so I also wanted to get these appts taken care of as deductible was met, but who am I kidding, I am getting seen b.c I want to be thorough and I want to get it biopsied if need be….

       

      I am not sure of what my questions are…

       

      Does anyone think I am jumping the gun? I have 2 tots at home, I really feel like I want to nip this in the bud ASAP.  I also am not sure what I am wanting the drs to tell me this Thurs?  It seems so sketchy to me that it is so close to surgical site and to be palpable…I understand that it could be from post-op recovery from the MIS surgery/excision.  But I just am not sure…..Should I be thinking I will have it biopsied? or a scan? I have heard they can do CT scans? I am allergic to iodine, which means I couldn't use contrast, so I am not sure I could have that done.  What is the lymph biopsy like? Is there risk of spread when they remove the node? or risk of lymphedema locally??  I'm sorry for all the Qs, thought a patient perpsective would help me to think more clearly…

       

      Anyone heard of this happening with MIS?  I know I am supposed to be happy that I was in the 99% clear range and I totally was until I accidentally felt this lymph node.  I have never felt a palpable post cervical node prior, I def have felt ant. cervical w. sore throat or allergies/sinus issues etc…

       

      Thank you for taking the time to read

      Any advice would be appreciated

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        • December 25, 2012 at 2:32 pm
        buffcody
        Participant

          A probably too simple response to a question that others may have a much better base than I to answer from. You are seeing two more  doctors tomorrow. You will get two more opinions from people that are more qualified than you (or I) to handle the concerns you have.  I'm cheering (without having the personal answers) that they will tell you to give it some time before moving ahead on more testing and more treatment. Frequently lymph nodes can get enlarged like this for benign reasons.  I had one similar a couple of months ago that disappeared in a couple of weeks.  My family physician was ready to biopsy.  My oncologist said no. 

           

           But if the new doctors don't feel that way, you have a number of good questions to be on your list to ask them.  And, if you get a do-more response from them, I think, before you go ahead, that now would be the time to also add an oncologist to your doctor's list, if for no other reason than to provide you with more peace of mind.  I think it's great that you are being so proactive in making sure you are doing the right thing!!  But I also think that it will be much nicer for you when you are able to get your questions answered in a satisfying way so that you can enjoy the full extent of the holiday season. Happy holidays!!! 

             

          • December 25, 2012 at 2:32 pm
          buffcody
          Participant

            A probably too simple response to a question that others may have a much better base than I to answer from. You are seeing two more  doctors tomorrow. You will get two more opinions from people that are more qualified than you (or I) to handle the concerns you have.  I'm cheering (without having the personal answers) that they will tell you to give it some time before moving ahead on more testing and more treatment. Frequently lymph nodes can get enlarged like this for benign reasons.  I had one similar a couple of months ago that disappeared in a couple of weeks.  My family physician was ready to biopsy.  My oncologist said no. 

             

             But if the new doctors don't feel that way, you have a number of good questions to be on your list to ask them.  And, if you get a do-more response from them, I think, before you go ahead, that now would be the time to also add an oncologist to your doctor's list, if for no other reason than to provide you with more peace of mind.  I think it's great that you are being so proactive in making sure you are doing the right thing!!  But I also think that it will be much nicer for you when you are able to get your questions answered in a satisfying way so that you can enjoy the full extent of the holiday season. Happy holidays!!! 

               

            • December 25, 2012 at 2:32 pm
            buffcody
            Participant

              A probably too simple response to a question that others may have a much better base than I to answer from. You are seeing two more  doctors tomorrow. You will get two more opinions from people that are more qualified than you (or I) to handle the concerns you have.  I'm cheering (without having the personal answers) that they will tell you to give it some time before moving ahead on more testing and more treatment. Frequently lymph nodes can get enlarged like this for benign reasons.  I had one similar a couple of months ago that disappeared in a couple of weeks.  My family physician was ready to biopsy.  My oncologist said no. 

               

               But if the new doctors don't feel that way, you have a number of good questions to be on your list to ask them.  And, if you get a do-more response from them, I think, before you go ahead, that now would be the time to also add an oncologist to your doctor's list, if for no other reason than to provide you with more peace of mind.  I think it's great that you are being so proactive in making sure you are doing the right thing!!  But I also think that it will be much nicer for you when you are able to get your questions answered in a satisfying way so that you can enjoy the full extent of the holiday season. Happy holidays!!! 

                 

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