SLNB dilemma

Hi there

i didn’t have to make the decision you have but I would say the faster you can have the procedure done the better also you will be waiting weeks for the results of same I waited 4 weeks but other people on here have waited much longer for their results.

in my case, which is different for everyone, I had a pet scan & mri brain scan 4 weeks before my snlb which were clear with no evidence of disease & new scans 5 weeks after snlb which showed melanoma mets to my lungs & brain as well numerous subcutaneous spots. My snlb showed 1.2mm which again hadn’t shown up on the pet scan 4 weeks before.

so that will give u an idea of how fast this type of cancer can spread … 

the quicker you can get results and get the treatment you need the better your chances are however having said all that I really hope your snlb is clear & you won’t need any further treatment

Good luck 

Alli x

Thank you so much for your reply, Alli.  You seem to have had a really tough time.  I really hope you are getting the treatment you need now.  How deep was your original melanoma?  Mine was 2mm.  

i have also come to the conclusion that sooner is best.  This waiting game is horrendous, and I understand that there is a waiting time of up 4-6 weeks for the results.  I plan to phone my Macmillan nurse this morning and get myself put on the other waiting list ASAP.

Interesting (and helpful) that you had all those scans.  Was that on the NHS and did you have to request them or were they offered to you?

Wishing you all the very best for your treatment journey.

Caroline  xx

I’m in Ireland but on the public system HSE the first scans were booked by my dermatologist  before I had wle & snlb. the 2nd set were needed because I was signing up for a trial as a stage 3 patient the trial terms required scans to be done within 28 days of starting it , but these scans showed progression so I was then not eligible for the trial as I had stage 4 melanoma 

my original lump/growth which looked like & first diagnosed by my gp as a cherry angioma was 14mm nodular melanoma which was really aggressive 

best of luck with your journey 

Alli x

Gosh, you have had an emotional journey.  I really hope that you are able to beat this.

I phoned my Macmillan nurse this morning, to tell her that that i have decided to go for the ICG procedure.  She emailed thd hospital straigjt away, and by this afternoon I had an operation date of 30th December, which is far better than anything I could have hoped for.  

So thank you so much for your advice Alli.  It certainly helped me to make that decision.  

Sending you my very best wishes for your recovery.

Caroline

xx