SLNB from both Armpits?
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SLNB from both Armpits?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › SLNB from both Armpits?

  • Post
    • January 23, 2019 at 8:19 pm
    jmp_0513
    Participant

      Good afternoon!

      My husband is currently in the OR undergoing a SLNB after a melanoma diagnosis. The melanoma was on his mid-back, and lymph node mapping radiology report showed lymphatic flow to both armpits. one side much more so than the other. The surgeon would like to take a biopsy from each armpit to cover her bases. We were told for melanomas in the middle of the trunk, this is very common. I'm just curious is anyone here has had sentinel nodes removed from more than one location? Could this lead to increased risk of cancer spread, since it could flow in multiple directions?

      Thanks! 

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    • Replies
        • January 23, 2019 at 9:43 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

          They took 3 nodes from both of my arm pits after similar lymph flow maping. It is the only way to properly stage the melanoma and is a pretty routine procedure. Here is a current link from Aim at melanoma explaining the procedure and the reason for doing it, explained by a surgeon from Chicago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_T186r5gIE

          • January 24, 2019 at 4:43 am
          MikeInAK
          Participant

            The situation you describe for your husband was similar to my SLNB on December 20.   I had a PET/CT scan which had indication for the right axillary LN, but in the pre-surgery mapping showed smaller indications in the left as well.  In all 3 disections were taken, two in the right one in the left.  All showed metasis, so the procedure worked to identify the migration from the original mid-back tumor.  Can't speak to increased risk, but I am glad that everything that was mapped was disected.    For me, I am now started on immunatheraphy with Optdivo.  Listen to your oncology team, and best of luck on beating it.  

            • January 24, 2019 at 1:01 pm
            gopher38
            Participant

              Same with me.  Middle of back.  Nodes taken both sides. Both positive.

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