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Possible Melanoma reccurance in right groin lymph node
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Possible Melanoma reccurance in right groin lymph node

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Possible Melanoma reccurance in right groin lymph node

  • Post
    • July 23, 2014 at 4:32 pm
    rebeccasilberman
    Participant

      Hi-

      I had a melanoma on my thigh last year that was removed. It was also in the lymph nodes and I went back in for another surgery in Feb. to have the rest of the nodes taken out of my right groin.

      On Monday I went for a check up and there is a hard lump near the area where I had the surgery. I am having an ultra sound needle biopsy on Friday. My surgeon said that it could be a seroma or the Melanoma has grown back. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I know that seromas are common but it's pretty hard.

       

      Thank you!!!

       

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 23, 2014 at 9:23 pm
        CHD
        Participant

          Hi Rebecca,

          I had bilateral sentinel lymph node biopsies in the upper thigh/groin (bikini line areas) and had nodules develop on both sides along or near the incision lines.  One side was large and clearly a seroma, and in fact it got infected.  On the other side there was a small hard nodule that did not go away even after 6 months or so.  My oncologist felt it was getting harder so a fine needle aspiration/biopsy was done out of concern it was melanoma, and it turned out to be a seroma.

          The interventional radiologist who did the FNA told me that when he compared my ultrasounds it was obvious to him that the area had gotten smaller and he told me that melanoma does not, as a rule, shrink, so he was about 99% convinced it wasn't melanoma even before we did the FNA.

          I hope yours will turn out to be a seroma too.  Sometimes they do form along the incision lines and last for awhile.  They can even be quite firm to the touch.  But you just don't know until they're biopsied since melanoma also commonly recurs locally.

          Best of luck on Friday, glad you are acting to get it biopsied quickly, and hope it's good news!

          • July 23, 2014 at 9:23 pm
          CHD
          Participant

            Hi Rebecca,

            I had bilateral sentinel lymph node biopsies in the upper thigh/groin (bikini line areas) and had nodules develop on both sides along or near the incision lines.  One side was large and clearly a seroma, and in fact it got infected.  On the other side there was a small hard nodule that did not go away even after 6 months or so.  My oncologist felt it was getting harder so a fine needle aspiration/biopsy was done out of concern it was melanoma, and it turned out to be a seroma.

            The interventional radiologist who did the FNA told me that when he compared my ultrasounds it was obvious to him that the area had gotten smaller and he told me that melanoma does not, as a rule, shrink, so he was about 99% convinced it wasn't melanoma even before we did the FNA.

            I hope yours will turn out to be a seroma too.  Sometimes they do form along the incision lines and last for awhile.  They can even be quite firm to the touch.  But you just don't know until they're biopsied since melanoma also commonly recurs locally.

            Best of luck on Friday, glad you are acting to get it biopsied quickly, and hope it's good news!

              • July 23, 2014 at 11:54 pm
              rebeccasilberman
              Participant

                Hi Stan,

                 

                Thanks for getting back to me and the input. Did you develop any lymphadema and if so how are you managing it?

                I have it in my leg. It has made everything quite challenging to say the least. I like to take Ballet and it has made it pretty challenging. Swimming seems to be the best thing and elevation ot course but it's hard to elevate it when you have to live your life- Drive, work, etc…

                Anyways- thanks for sharing your story!

                 

                • July 23, 2014 at 11:54 pm
                rebeccasilberman
                Participant

                  Hi Stan,

                   

                  Thanks for getting back to me and the input. Did you develop any lymphadema and if so how are you managing it?

                  I have it in my leg. It has made everything quite challenging to say the least. I like to take Ballet and it has made it pretty challenging. Swimming seems to be the best thing and elevation ot course but it's hard to elevate it when you have to live your life- Drive, work, etc…

                  Anyways- thanks for sharing your story!

                   

                  • July 24, 2014 at 12:48 am
                  momof4boys
                  Participant
                    I just wanted to chime in and say that I too have had the lymphadectomy and now have lymphadema. I agree with you it is quite challenging. I’m having a hard time with my day stocking. I have a tribute night garment that my husband puts one wrap over to make it tight. Although I just got fitted today with a flexitouch pump that I’m super excited about. This has slowed me down along with the IPI I guess. What have you found works for you?
                    • July 24, 2014 at 12:48 am
                    momof4boys
                    Participant
                      I just wanted to chime in and say that I too have had the lymphadectomy and now have lymphadema. I agree with you it is quite challenging. I’m having a hard time with my day stocking. I have a tribute night garment that my husband puts one wrap over to make it tight. Although I just got fitted today with a flexitouch pump that I’m super excited about. This has slowed me down along with the IPI I guess. What have you found works for you?
                      • July 24, 2014 at 6:31 pm
                      rebeccasilberman
                      Participant

                        I have been going to a Lymphadema specialist who puts my leg in a pump similar to the Flexitouch.

                        Is the Flexi covered by your insurance? I have Kaiser and they won't cover it. Do you excercise? I still do but anything I do makes it swell- it's just swimming that doesn't.

                        • July 24, 2014 at 6:31 pm
                        rebeccasilberman
                        Participant

                          I have been going to a Lymphadema specialist who puts my leg in a pump similar to the Flexitouch.

                          Is the Flexi covered by your insurance? I have Kaiser and they won't cover it. Do you excercise? I still do but anything I do makes it swell- it's just swimming that doesn't.

                          • July 24, 2014 at 6:31 pm
                          rebeccasilberman
                          Participant

                            I have been going to a Lymphadema specialist who puts my leg in a pump similar to the Flexitouch.

                            Is the Flexi covered by your insurance? I have Kaiser and they won't cover it. Do you excercise? I still do but anything I do makes it swell- it's just swimming that doesn't.

                            • July 25, 2014 at 1:33 am
                            momof4boys
                            Participant
                              Yeah I try to exercise but I used to ride my bike a lot and I can no longer do that. I find myself cautious because I’m afraid I will make it worse. I was told not to exercise without my stocking but I can’t wear it right now. Swimming I think would be best also. As far as I know my ins will cover the pump. Do you wear day or night stockings?
                              • July 25, 2014 at 1:33 am
                              momof4boys
                              Participant
                                Yeah I try to exercise but I used to ride my bike a lot and I can no longer do that. I find myself cautious because I’m afraid I will make it worse. I was told not to exercise without my stocking but I can’t wear it right now. Swimming I think would be best also. As far as I know my ins will cover the pump. Do you wear day or night stockings?
                                • July 25, 2014 at 1:33 am
                                momof4boys
                                Participant
                                  Yeah I try to exercise but I used to ride my bike a lot and I can no longer do that. I find myself cautious because I’m afraid I will make it worse. I was told not to exercise without my stocking but I can’t wear it right now. Swimming I think would be best also. As far as I know my ins will cover the pump. Do you wear day or night stockings?
                                  • July 24, 2014 at 12:48 am
                                  momof4boys
                                  Participant
                                    I just wanted to chime in and say that I too have had the lymphadectomy and now have lymphadema. I agree with you it is quite challenging. I’m having a hard time with my day stocking. I have a tribute night garment that my husband puts one wrap over to make it tight. Although I just got fitted today with a flexitouch pump that I’m super excited about. This has slowed me down along with the IPI I guess. What have you found works for you?
                                    • July 24, 2014 at 2:54 am
                                    CHD
                                    Participant

                                      Rebecca,

                                      I think the surgeon only removed 1 sentinel lymph node on each side, in spite of me having a 3-inch incision on both sides, go figure.  For a few months, my right upper leg ached so badly I would have to actually lift it with my hands to get into a car or move around.  I don't think this was lymphedema though.  I was warned it might happen but I think this had more to do with the surgery and the nerves involved.  After a few months it went away.  So I'm no help with lymphedema.  The only thing that helped my leg pain was rest, actually lying back in a reclining position, as sitting did not help, and elevation, neither of which I had much time to do as I was working, not to mention the mother of two young boys.  The pain lasted about as long as the seroma did, so I do wonder if the two were somehow related.

                                      Cheri

                                       

                                      • July 24, 2014 at 2:54 am
                                      CHD
                                      Participant

                                        Rebecca,

                                        I think the surgeon only removed 1 sentinel lymph node on each side, in spite of me having a 3-inch incision on both sides, go figure.  For a few months, my right upper leg ached so badly I would have to actually lift it with my hands to get into a car or move around.  I don't think this was lymphedema though.  I was warned it might happen but I think this had more to do with the surgery and the nerves involved.  After a few months it went away.  So I'm no help with lymphedema.  The only thing that helped my leg pain was rest, actually lying back in a reclining position, as sitting did not help, and elevation, neither of which I had much time to do as I was working, not to mention the mother of two young boys.  The pain lasted about as long as the seroma did, so I do wonder if the two were somehow related.

                                        Cheri

                                         

                                        • July 24, 2014 at 2:54 am
                                        CHD
                                        Participant

                                          Rebecca,

                                          I think the surgeon only removed 1 sentinel lymph node on each side, in spite of me having a 3-inch incision on both sides, go figure.  For a few months, my right upper leg ached so badly I would have to actually lift it with my hands to get into a car or move around.  I don't think this was lymphedema though.  I was warned it might happen but I think this had more to do with the surgery and the nerves involved.  After a few months it went away.  So I'm no help with lymphedema.  The only thing that helped my leg pain was rest, actually lying back in a reclining position, as sitting did not help, and elevation, neither of which I had much time to do as I was working, not to mention the mother of two young boys.  The pain lasted about as long as the seroma did, so I do wonder if the two were somehow related.

                                          Cheri

                                           

                                          • July 23, 2014 at 11:54 pm
                                          rebeccasilberman
                                          Participant

                                            Hi Stan,

                                             

                                            Thanks for getting back to me and the input. Did you develop any lymphadema and if so how are you managing it?

                                            I have it in my leg. It has made everything quite challenging to say the least. I like to take Ballet and it has made it pretty challenging. Swimming seems to be the best thing and elevation ot course but it's hard to elevate it when you have to live your life- Drive, work, etc…

                                            Anyways- thanks for sharing your story!

                                             

                                          • July 23, 2014 at 9:23 pm
                                          CHD
                                          Participant

                                            Hi Rebecca,

                                            I had bilateral sentinel lymph node biopsies in the upper thigh/groin (bikini line areas) and had nodules develop on both sides along or near the incision lines.  One side was large and clearly a seroma, and in fact it got infected.  On the other side there was a small hard nodule that did not go away even after 6 months or so.  My oncologist felt it was getting harder so a fine needle aspiration/biopsy was done out of concern it was melanoma, and it turned out to be a seroma.

                                            The interventional radiologist who did the FNA told me that when he compared my ultrasounds it was obvious to him that the area had gotten smaller and he told me that melanoma does not, as a rule, shrink, so he was about 99% convinced it wasn't melanoma even before we did the FNA.

                                            I hope yours will turn out to be a seroma too.  Sometimes they do form along the incision lines and last for awhile.  They can even be quite firm to the touch.  But you just don't know until they're biopsied since melanoma also commonly recurs locally.

                                            Best of luck on Friday, glad you are acting to get it biopsied quickly, and hope it's good news!

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