Melanoma spread through blood rather than lymph

Hi Sonny09

I'm sorry that your mind's gone into overdrive again. I do understand how hard it can be to stop thinking about melanoma and all it's possible permutations.

To answer your question, yes melanoma can spread to other parts of the body through both the lymphatic system and the bloodstream.

If your SLNB comes back negative you will not need any further tests unless your consultant has reason to believe that the melanoma has spread. You may then have further tests and have a scan or scans to see if it has spread.

I know it's hard but just try to concentrate on one step at a time. I think you had your pre-op yesterday. How did that go?

x

Hi latchbrook, sorry to  be a pain, I am a lucky one with my current diagnosis  am just a born worrier, yes had my pre assessment yesterday, went well, said they would let me know if any issues come back from swabs and bloods.

Please don't think you're a pain Sonny09.

It's perfectly normal to worry and it's better to ask questions here rather than using Google! 

Were they able to give you an idea of when your ops will be yesterday? 

There is currently a backlog of 17 patients of which I am one requiring WLE aswell as SLNB, spoke to them yesterday, and the issue has escalated in hospital so hopefully hear soon,there where meetings yesterday and this morning to discuss patient pathways, so will bevon phone again this afternoon, it's like groundhog day.

I can definitely empathise with the waiting Sonny09 as it was about 8 weeks between being diagnosed and knowing when my WLE and SLNB was going to be. Mine happened during the winter when there was a crisis with beds and operations being performed and even cancer patients were having their operations postponed.

Try to focus on the fact that the melanoma has been removed and that the WLE is a "mopping up exercise" to quote my SCNS. As you've had your pre-op my understanding is that you should have the ops in the next couple of weeks.

x

Thank you for your kind words and great support as usual

Hi sonny the most usual means of spread for mm is through the lymph system starting at the lymph nodes nearest the site also if its a deep growth then through tissue surrounding. Thats why they do the wle and slnb. When its caught early and is the common superficial type its unlikely. The more aggressive like mine has a higher risk as its faster growing and if its ulcerated it can spread thro the blood. The slnb is 98% accurate so there is little point doing any more tests.