Distant lymph node
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Distant lymph node

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Distant lymph node

  • Post
    • September 7, 2011 at 1:54 pm
    TomGlo
    Participant

      Hello everybody,

      Hello everybody,

      I had nodular melanoma on my left side of the head in 2008. The treatment I received was wide excision and a sentinel lymph node biopsy, which came back negative. Two years later, in December 2010, I discovered an enlarged lymph node on the left side of my neck. After a biopsy, it turned out to be melanoma. My oncologist decided to make a complete neck dissection. Some other nodes contained little traces of melanoma, which means that I was diagnosed stage IIIC. After the surgery, in February 2011, I had radiotherapy all over my left neck area. I recovered really well from surgery and radiotherapy, and my last PET scan end of June 2011 was all clear. Bloodwork was excellent too.

       
      A week ago, I discovered an enlarged lymph node in my groin, on the left side. It is not terribly large, but I can palpate it. I'm worried now, since I already went through all of this a year ago… . Does anyone know how likely it is that melanoma travels from my neck to the groin lymph nodes? I will see my oncologist next week to check it out.
       
      Thank you for your advice.
       
      Tom
    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 7, 2011 at 2:01 pm
        lhaley
        Participant

          Tom,

          Welcome to the board.  I saw you in chat a few minutes ago but you left before I could get in. 

          Melanoma can travel where ever it wants. But, it could also be just an enlarged node that is inflamed because of something else. Call your oncologist and if you don't have scans scheduled before your appointment maybe they can get them fit in. 

          My melanoma traveled in the blood line and then after 4 years it decided to go to the nodes – like I said it makes up it's own mine.   That being said I had one node out of 5 that was mel, 6 months later about a cm away had another node that was mel.  1 month later about 4 inches away had a lump. Ended up being 3 distinct nodules of fatty tissue. I was sure it was another metastic area as was the radiologist, and both of my oncologists.  It's hard but don't get panicked till the results are in (I can't follow my own suggestions though).

          Good luck and let us know,

          Linda

          • September 7, 2011 at 2:01 pm
          lhaley
          Participant

            Tom,

            Welcome to the board.  I saw you in chat a few minutes ago but you left before I could get in. 

            Melanoma can travel where ever it wants. But, it could also be just an enlarged node that is inflamed because of something else. Call your oncologist and if you don't have scans scheduled before your appointment maybe they can get them fit in. 

            My melanoma traveled in the blood line and then after 4 years it decided to go to the nodes – like I said it makes up it's own mine.   That being said I had one node out of 5 that was mel, 6 months later about a cm away had another node that was mel.  1 month later about 4 inches away had a lump. Ended up being 3 distinct nodules of fatty tissue. I was sure it was another metastic area as was the radiologist, and both of my oncologists.  It's hard but don't get panicked till the results are in (I can't follow my own suggestions though).

            Good luck and let us know,

            Linda

              • September 7, 2011 at 2:19 pm
              TomGlo
              Participant

                Thank you Linda.

                I'm trying to stay calm. I have an MRI scan of the groin area scheduled for next week. I believe that it will tell us more about it. I will keep you posted.

                All the best for you!

                Tom

                • September 7, 2011 at 2:19 pm
                TomGlo
                Participant

                  Thank you Linda.

                  I'm trying to stay calm. I have an MRI scan of the groin area scheduled for next week. I believe that it will tell us more about it. I will keep you posted.

                  All the best for you!

                  Tom

                  • September 7, 2011 at 2:19 pm
                  TomGlo
                  Participant

                    Thank you Linda.

                    I'm trying to stay calm. I have an MRI scan of the groin area scheduled for next week. I believe that it will tell us more about it. I will keep you posted.

                    All the best for you!

                    Tom

                    • September 7, 2011 at 2:19 pm
                    TomGlo
                    Participant

                      Thank you Linda.

                      I'm trying to stay calm. I have an MRI scan of the groin area scheduled for next week. I believe that it will tell us more about it. I will keep you posted.

                      All the best for you!

                      Tom

                    • September 7, 2011 at 2:52 pm
                    alicia
                    Participant
                      Hi Tom, I’m stage 3a (+ SN) in 2006 with mult primaries most recent was Jan 2011 greater than 2.3mm (neg SNB). I had 3 enlarged nodes that had unusual lesion seen in each node and by size criteria were considered Adenopathy that warranted a core biopsy. My oncologist and radiologist were very concerned these nodes would be positive for Mel. I had the biopsies almost 2 wks ago and results came back Negative:). I understand your fears as I was so scared, lost sleep and so worried I was gonna receive bad news. I’m responding to tell you (easier said than done) to try not to worry yourself sick and there’s always a chance yours may be negative too:-). Believe me I know it’s hard to believe your gonna get good news after getting bad news so many times but there is hope. Thank God for hope:-). Praying for u 🙂

                      Alicia

                      • September 7, 2011 at 2:52 pm
                      alicia
                      Participant
                        Hi Tom, I’m stage 3a (+ SN) in 2006 with mult primaries most recent was Jan 2011 greater than 2.3mm (neg SNB). I had 3 enlarged nodes that had unusual lesion seen in each node and by size criteria were considered Adenopathy that warranted a core biopsy. My oncologist and radiologist were very concerned these nodes would be positive for Mel. I had the biopsies almost 2 wks ago and results came back Negative:). I understand your fears as I was so scared, lost sleep and so worried I was gonna receive bad news. I’m responding to tell you (easier said than done) to try not to worry yourself sick and there’s always a chance yours may be negative too:-). Believe me I know it’s hard to believe your gonna get good news after getting bad news so many times but there is hope. Thank God for hope:-). Praying for u 🙂

                        Alicia

                          • September 17, 2011 at 11:49 am
                          TomGlo
                          Participant

                            Dear Alica and everybody,

                            Just a small update:

                            last week, I got the results of the MRI. There are multiple enlarged lymph nodes to be seen in the pelvic area, but the report says that they are not worrisome. They look normal, probably enlarged due to a small infection in that area.

                            Thank you for your support and opinions!

                            Have a great weekend and a good health!

                            Tom

                            • September 17, 2011 at 11:49 am
                            TomGlo
                            Participant

                              Dear Alica and everybody,

                              Just a small update:

                              last week, I got the results of the MRI. There are multiple enlarged lymph nodes to be seen in the pelvic area, but the report says that they are not worrisome. They look normal, probably enlarged due to a small infection in that area.

                              Thank you for your support and opinions!

                              Have a great weekend and a good health!

                              Tom

                            • September 7, 2011 at 3:05 pm
                            Sherron
                            Participant

                              Yes, it can do that.  Please go to your doctor quickly.  My husbands went from the lower right scalp (lymph node) to the other side of the scalp lymph nodes, to the groin area, also to the stomach…under the left arm pit ….all over his back. My husband did not do any doctor treatment other than removal of the original Melanoma tumor, and then the local recurrence.  He lived 4 years 5 months, very good QUALITY LIFE, worked all the way up to October  except for the last 3 months.  This was his decision and he never regretted it, but most people do not make this choice.  He never took any treatments only alternative and it worked quite well, until the last 3 months, and then it moved very quickly.  I am not saying this to scare you, just so you will go get it checked out…There is a very good chance you are just fine.

                               

                              Take Care,

                              Sherron, wife to Jim FOREVER  (9/1/46) TO (11/30/2010)

                              • September 7, 2011 at 3:05 pm
                              Sherron
                              Participant

                                Yes, it can do that.  Please go to your doctor quickly.  My husbands went from the lower right scalp (lymph node) to the other side of the scalp lymph nodes, to the groin area, also to the stomach…under the left arm pit ….all over his back. My husband did not do any doctor treatment other than removal of the original Melanoma tumor, and then the local recurrence.  He lived 4 years 5 months, very good QUALITY LIFE, worked all the way up to October  except for the last 3 months.  This was his decision and he never regretted it, but most people do not make this choice.  He never took any treatments only alternative and it worked quite well, until the last 3 months, and then it moved very quickly.  I am not saying this to scare you, just so you will go get it checked out…There is a very good chance you are just fine.

                                 

                                Take Care,

                                Sherron, wife to Jim FOREVER  (9/1/46) TO (11/30/2010)

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