Melanoma - scans

Hi I was diagnosed with melanoma in July 2023, they sent me for a ct scan of body and mri head I had no idea at the time why. My melanoma was at the bottom of my ankle. When they gave me results for the scans they said I needed to be referred to gynaecology as had a cyst on my ovary,  was sent for a pelvic ultrasound   which I had nearly 2 years of watch and wait and I decided to get it removed which was in March this year and it was benign. For the melanoma I had surgery WLE and some lymph node removed which unfortunately 3 lymph nodes out of 6 contained microscopic melanoma cells so I was diagnosed with stage 3a, since then I've had some treatment  which was in tablets as I had the braf to stop it coming back I was meant to do 12 months but only done 4 due to side affects and finding thyroid cancer which has been treated with surgery. 

I know have ct and mri head scan every 6 months and skin checks,  at moment I'm still clear of melanoma, but my head scan got to be monitored for something  to do with blood vessels, nothing to do with melanoma, not sure what it is. Try not to worry to much as there is a lot of treatment. Sorry for going on a bit. I was not told much at start ever so I was very scared too. I hope you get your surgery soon and goes well. Melanoma focus online has a lot of information that might help.

Jo,

I too was diagnosed with a pT3a melanoma that all started as a mole on the front right side of my head. I had the WLE and SLNB approximately 5 weeks ago and I have an appointment booked for tomorrow where I think I will get the results.

I haven't yet been for a CT or ultrasound? I guess I will find out more tomorrow.

Maybe your NHS hospital have a set procedure where they 'chuck the kitchen sink at it' in terms of get the scans done as soon as possible. The sooner they then have the details from scans and biopsy they can decide an action plan.

My diagnosis was end of April, if I get my results tomorrow and then we then have to start booking scans then we have already 'lost' a good three months. 

Hopefully all the scans you are having are to give the best picture of where everything is so I would see this as a positive thing.

Keep us posted.

Jo,

My results are in. Melanoma cells found in one of the five lymph nodes they removed, Now I am awaiting a CT scan before they start immunotherapy.

Regards

Hi Elmer thank you for your responses and sorry for my delayed reply my head has been well and truly gone. The ultrasound was for something that was flagged on my CT scan, but my nurse didn’t get the chance to tell me before I was contacted to book in. 
wishing you well, keep us updated. I’m hoping to be active in the forums a bit more 

Good to hear from you Jo.

Had my CT scan early this morning (benefitted from a cancellation) now the waiting game for the results. 

Please do stay in touch, and now that you've got your head back we will help you keep it in place!!

Hi jo

good luck with your treatment I too had lymph nodes removed under my arm and surgery on back to remove stage 3 melanoma in 2023

Had Pembro for a year every 6 weeks and I did have side effect which were not pleasant but I got through them with the help from my consultant and his team at Velindre Cardiff