Swollen Lymph Node in Armpit

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Swollen Lymph Node in Armpit

  • Post
    • May 29, 2014 at 7:08 pm
    Van Wife
    Participant

      Eight years ago my husband had a wide local excision which lead to lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy. One lymph node was removed from each armpit and found to be Melanoma free after biopsy. Since then he has had several more excisions that have only led to sometimes taking a little more around the area just to make sure. Most recently this happened about four weeks ago, and we were given the all clear.

      Yesterday he felt some soarness in his underarm and later looked to find a large colorless lump under the skin. This morning he said it felt larger. I immediately got him in with his Dermatologist today who examined where they had recently removed the stitches. The Dermatologist said everything looked fine, gave him some antibiotics, mentioned the rare possibility of cat scratch fever, and scheduled him a follow up appointment in a week.

      I am shocked that the possibility of it being Melanoma wasn't so much as even brought up? I wish I had gone so that I could understand why this is not a concern, which brings me here…

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • May 29, 2014 at 7:17 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Given the fact that he has recently had trauma (stitches), most docs will do the least invasive thing first…. antibiotics.  Since lymph nodes swell in response to just about anything, you need to remove "infection" from the list first.  If the antibiotics fail, then I'm sure the doc would pursue other solutions including melanoma.  But truthfully, I'd wait and hope the antibiotics take care of things first!

          • May 29, 2014 at 7:17 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            Given the fact that he has recently had trauma (stitches), most docs will do the least invasive thing first…. antibiotics.  Since lymph nodes swell in response to just about anything, you need to remove "infection" from the list first.  If the antibiotics fail, then I'm sure the doc would pursue other solutions including melanoma.  But truthfully, I'd wait and hope the antibiotics take care of things first!

            • May 29, 2014 at 7:17 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              Given the fact that he has recently had trauma (stitches), most docs will do the least invasive thing first…. antibiotics.  Since lymph nodes swell in response to just about anything, you need to remove "infection" from the list first.  If the antibiotics fail, then I'm sure the doc would pursue other solutions including melanoma.  But truthfully, I'd wait and hope the antibiotics take care of things first!

              • May 30, 2014 at 3:57 am
              Swanee
              Participant

                I agree completely with Janner!  However, my exerience started out the same as you describe, a colorless lump under the skin, perhaps the size of a pea when I first noticed.  It was referred to as a benign dermato fibrosis by both my GP and dermatolagist.  It continued to grow and became sensitive to touch and after about 6 months, I insisted that it be removed and it is then, that I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma after many tests to determine the extent of my situation. I was diagnosed with no primary, stage 4  in March of 2010.

                Everyone's situation can be so completely different from the next and it is extremely helpful to read all the stories posted here and their history or first experience with melanoma.  I am a unique situation as I have never experienced any stage 1,2, or 3 skin cancer scenarios, but there are a small percentage who start out this way!

                Follow your gut and persevere!  That's my best advice!  Make no mistake, melanoma is scarry and now is not the time to take chances, get a biopsy, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind!  

                Thinking positive thoughts for you and hubby!

                Swanee

                P.S.  You have discovered any amazing melanoma websight!  Everyone here, wants  to help and support you along your journey if melanoma should be in your future, everyone is like family!

                • May 30, 2014 at 3:57 am
                Swanee
                Participant

                  I agree completely with Janner!  However, my exerience started out the same as you describe, a colorless lump under the skin, perhaps the size of a pea when I first noticed.  It was referred to as a benign dermato fibrosis by both my GP and dermatolagist.  It continued to grow and became sensitive to touch and after about 6 months, I insisted that it be removed and it is then, that I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma after many tests to determine the extent of my situation. I was diagnosed with no primary, stage 4  in March of 2010.

                  Everyone's situation can be so completely different from the next and it is extremely helpful to read all the stories posted here and their history or first experience with melanoma.  I am a unique situation as I have never experienced any stage 1,2, or 3 skin cancer scenarios, but there are a small percentage who start out this way!

                  Follow your gut and persevere!  That's my best advice!  Make no mistake, melanoma is scarry and now is not the time to take chances, get a biopsy, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind!  

                  Thinking positive thoughts for you and hubby!

                  Swanee

                  P.S.  You have discovered any amazing melanoma websight!  Everyone here, wants  to help and support you along your journey if melanoma should be in your future, everyone is like family!

                  • May 30, 2014 at 3:57 am
                  Swanee
                  Participant

                    I agree completely with Janner!  However, my exerience started out the same as you describe, a colorless lump under the skin, perhaps the size of a pea when I first noticed.  It was referred to as a benign dermato fibrosis by both my GP and dermatolagist.  It continued to grow and became sensitive to touch and after about 6 months, I insisted that it be removed and it is then, that I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma after many tests to determine the extent of my situation. I was diagnosed with no primary, stage 4  in March of 2010.

                    Everyone's situation can be so completely different from the next and it is extremely helpful to read all the stories posted here and their history or first experience with melanoma.  I am a unique situation as I have never experienced any stage 1,2, or 3 skin cancer scenarios, but there are a small percentage who start out this way!

                    Follow your gut and persevere!  That's my best advice!  Make no mistake, melanoma is scarry and now is not the time to take chances, get a biopsy, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind!  

                    Thinking positive thoughts for you and hubby!

                    Swanee

                    P.S.  You have discovered any amazing melanoma websight!  Everyone here, wants  to help and support you along your journey if melanoma should be in your future, everyone is like family!

                Viewing 5 reply threads
                • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                About the MRF Patient Forum

                The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                Popular Topics