Stage 2 Melanoma

Hi TUR and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I'm sorry to read that your husband has recently been diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma, something that I'm very familiar with as this was also my diagnosis nearly 6 years ago now.

I was also offered the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and was a little unsure initially as it does bring with it an increased risk of lymphoedema. However, talking this through at my appointment with the plastic surgeon who was going to do it, he reassured me that in all the years he'd been doing it he'd only had a handful of people who had gone on to have lymphoedema. This reassurance, coupled with the thought that I didn't want to wonder years down the line if the melanoma recurred would I have been able to prevent this with treatment if it had been found in my sentinel lymph node, I decided to have it and haven't regretted my decision.

What is the reason that your husband doesn't want to have a SLNB? 

I'm not aware of any alternative tests which would be offered if he refused the SLNB. He will be monitored for a period of time with skin checks by his consultant and will be told how to monitor his skin and check his lymph nodes.

It would be great if you could pop something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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I’m new to this community and like your husband, recently diagnosed with 2A melanoma. I’m having the sentinel lymph node biopsy and wider excision on Friday 23 Sep.

I feel this is the right decision for me and understand the risks however I don’t want to leave any stone unturned. My plastic surgeon is lovely and along with his register, took the time to answer all my questions so I made my own informed decision, sometimes you need to trust they know best. It is a personal choice and only your husband can make it which can be very difficult for loved ones if they are in favour of the biopsy.