Melanoma diagnosis

MP2289 22 days ago

1 reply
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Hi,

Ive just been diagnosed with melanoma. I had a mole removed from my scalp. The consultant didn’t tell me a stage he just said it’s about 0.7mm and he thinks we’ve caught it early and that I need to have a WLE and 2 more moles removed and biopsied.
I’ve read ALOT about people being diagnosed with early melanoma and no need for a lymph node biopsy or scans but then months/year later they get diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 because it’s spread.
Should I be pushing for a lymph node biopsy or scans because I would rather have that checked now for reassurance? I’ve been having headaches for the past couple of months and I get aches and pains but now I don’t know if I’m being paranoid and over thinking it all or should I listen to my gut?

Linda - Macmillan 19 days ago

Hi MP2289

Thanks for getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support through our Ask A Nurse platform. I’m Linda one of the nurses from our support line.

Being newly diagnosed with melanoma can be an unsettling time, and it’s only natural to want to ensure that enough is being done.

When doctors make decisions about the level treatment of that is needed they don’t do this in isolation. As well as discussing your care with multi-disciplinary team they also follow NICE Guidelines which make recommendations about how specific cancers should be managed.

Based on the depth of the melanoma it’s likely it has been given the stage of 1a. You can read more about this here, however It is worth confirming this with your specialist team.

NICE, on page 47 of the guidelines above, recommend that people diagnosed with a stage 1a shouldn’t be offered a sentinel lymph node biopsy unless there are other specific features present. This is based on the risk of spread at this stage as being low.

Being more aware of aches and pains is common when you are newly diagnosed, and for most will settle with time. However, any new or worsening symptoms like headaches that are persisting and not settling down should be discussed with your GP.

Having an eye test might also be worth considering if you have not had this done in while.

It might also help to join our Melanoma forum and our group for people New to the Community. The support and hints and tips from others in a similar situation can be invaluable

And if you’d like to call and have a chat with one of the nurses we’d welcome a call from you. We can ask a little more about you, to look at how we can best support you.

Our free phone number on 0808 808 0000 and we are here 7 days a week, 8am-8pm or email us.

Best Wishes

Linda

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref: LM / SMG

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Melanoma diagnosis