Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection

sarafyn 26 days ago

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Any advice greatly appreciated but I'll give some back story too.

Sept 2018, diagnosed Stage 3C due to my birth mark at the top of my left buttock developing Melanoma. Doctors did not refer me for 18 months telling me it was psoriasis. If referred at initial appt I would have been Stage 1.

Had SLNB revealing 2 of 3 taken had Melanoma cells, had WLE of the original site. Then had Immunotherapy (Nivolumab) for almost a year, managed 19 of the 26 cycles but it was stopped due to severe psoriasis covering my body as a result of the treatment.

Skip forward to November 2022, when I found a lump i the centre of my WLE scar, had it removed and confirmed as Melanoma - no further action but 3 monthly skin checks and 6 monthly CT scans recommenced (had stopped for about a year prior).

Now, 10 June 2025, I feel a large lump in my groin (left side again) saw my consultant a couple of weeks later who ordered urgent CT, ultrasound and biopsy, all completed by 2 July. Then the dreaded wait.

Skip to now, I have Melanoma in my lymph node measuring 26mm in my grpin, but it has definitely grown since ultrasound etc.

Prior CT in February was clear, so this looks like one aggressive so and so!

I see my consultant on 11th August and surgery is on 27th August. Having a lymph node dissection - don't currently know how many he is talking.

Can anyone give any ideas how long I will be in hospital?

Because it is growing so much, do I assume it's also spreading?

With it being my lymph nodes, am I likely to undergo treatment again?

Thanks everyone

Sara xx

latchbrook 25 days ago

Hi Sara/sarafyn

I'm sorry to read that you've recently discovered that your melanoma has spread to your inguinal lymph nodes and that you now need a lymph node dissection. I haven't had this operation but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again and hopefully someone who has had this operation will pop on and share their experiences with you.

Macmillan has quite a lot of information on lymph node dissection for melanoma and clicking here will take you to it. It might answer some of your questions.

All the best seeing the surgeon next week.

Anne

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

Loulan 25 days ago in reply to latchbrook

Hi Sara,

So sorry to hear your story. I had a similar situation with a mole on my stomach that wasn't initially biopsied and ended up at stage 2C by the time it was & identified as a melanoma.

I had a SLNB & WLE completed, melanoma was found in my SLNB, now at stage 3C the consultant advised I have a full dissection of the lymph nodes in my left armpit (axilla)/neck, 17 lymph nodes were removed.

I was in hospital for 3 nights and left with a drain that was removed after 7 days. I was off work for 3 weeks and I would recommend completing the exercises the physio gives you daily. I am pleased I still have full range of arm movement. I'm now going through 12 months of immunotherapy with scans every 3 months to check for any re-occurrence.

The operation was not too invasive, just make sure you rest & try not to worry about it. I know easier said than done.

I hope this helps, stay positive you can get through this.

Bandit1250 24 days ago in reply to latchbrook

I had them removed in my right groin 1 year ago. I was in hospital 3 days but its left me with lymphedema right down my thigh and nerve damage on that side , I've had to stop working because of it . And it still progressed to stage 4 .

Jasonjgg123 21 days ago

Hi, I had a Groin / Pelvis lymph nodes dissection in Sept 22 after they discovered 2 lymph nodes were infected, this was after the initial sentinel node dissection and wide excition.

They took out all lymph nodes in my groin and 2 from my pelvis, in total around 10 were taken. I was in hospital 5 nights, I had 2 drains. It does take a while to get over but not overly painful, I found a bumpy ride in a car the worse thing.

I them immunotherapy for a year.

My groin still plays up if I lift things but it's bearable, I also have very slight lymphoedema, but hardly noticeable.

I have had several reacorances, new tumours but none have been in lymph nodes, I am currently having T Vec injections in my lower leg for a few tumours but they are getting smaller and disappearing.

I hope it all goes well, keep positive, I thought after the my diagnosis of Melanoma in my lymph nodes I was doomed but I'm still here and walk 6 miles a day even after around 7 operation, immunotherapy, t Vec. I feel as fit as ever.

You'll get through it, even if you get further set backs don't give up there is lots of treatment out there for Melanoma.

Jason

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