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Melanoma stage 1b - questions re SLNB

HF2024
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Hi everyone,

I’m new to this forum Wave 

I was diagnosed with stage 1B melanoma at the start of January 24. I’ve been given the option of having a SLNB and was in two minds whether or not I should go ahead with it until last week when I had my consultation with the plastics consultant and was told there is suspicion of lymph vascular invasion (I wasn’t told this when I was first diagnosed).

After finding this out, I’m going ahead with the SLNB. The consultant said I should get my appointment through for the end of March but I’m now concerned about the melanoma spreading within that time whilst I wait. 

My question is has anyone paid to have a SNLB done privately and if you have, how much did it cost? Also, how long did you wait between having your consultation and getting the biopsy done?

I’m a bit confused as I thought stage 1B was an early diagnosis and there was no sign that the melanoma had spread.

TIA

  • in reply to Mrs Mc

    Hi Mrs Mc, hope you’re doing ok. It’s also put my mind at ease to know there’s others with a similar waiting time. I’ve read other people’s experiences where they’ve had the WLE sooner so I was worried that there seems to be a bigger gap between my initial biopsy and further surgery. 
    Mine was 1.0mm deep, did yours have ulceration for it to be classed as stage 2? 

  • in reply to Mysticdaisy

    Hey. Actually, my mistake....it was 1.2mm with no ulceration. I also got diagnosed with BCC in another area so lucky me, 2 for the price of 1! 

    Questioning every new blemish that appears now. Very much living on the edge of my seat at the moment x

  • in reply to Mrs Mc

    Me too Mrs Mc, I find myself checking my freckles/moles more frequently! I’m also paranoid of the sun! It’s good to be vigilant and careful though. 

    Are you sure you’re stage 2? Looking at the criteria if you’re between 1-2mm with no ulceration it should be stage 1B, unless there was another feature that put you as stage 2? X

  • in reply to Mysticdaisy

    This is what I was told by my Skin Cancer specialist nurse. I've just had a look at a letter from dermatology and it just says breslow thickness is 1.2mm - doesn't mention any other features. I'll take the stage 1b all day long tbh xx

  • in reply to Mrs Mc

    The specialist nurses are very helpful if you have any questions on the staging. I’m just going off what’s online and in the information packs they’ve provided me with. Good luck with your surgeries! X

  • in reply to Mysticdaisy

    Thank you. Best wishes for you too x

  • in reply to Mysticdaisy

    Hi Mysticdaisy, my melanoma was 1.4 deep but there were no issues around ulceration. Doing well but prepare yourself for a longer recovery than you might expect, depending on where you are having WLE. Mine is on the bottom of my foot and I still have to keep my foot elevated quite a lot during the day otherwise it swells up, but I am up and about. Hope it all goes well for you x

  • in reply to Mrs Mc

    Thank you and good luck with getting an appointment xx

  • in reply to Potte

    That’s amazing news your results have come back clear, what a relief! Thank you, I’m still feeling pretty confident the SLNB will come back clear even with the suspicion of lymph vascular invasion! Did you have to stay in hospital overnight or were you good to go Joe the same day? Xx

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