What does Melanoma in the lymth Nodes feel like?

There is no definitive "if it doesn't hurt it's cancer". For some that has been true, but everyone and their bodies are different so it is definitely not a good way to tell if it's a serious issue or not. Only way to know for sure is a biopsy, but you don't have to worry about that until you get your mole biopsy results. If that turns out to be melanoma, then I would have a much bigger suspicion of the lymph node. Until then, there isn't any reason to get worked up about the lymph node. You could still bring it up to the doctor, just to get their opinion and so they have a record of it if it needs to get looked into furthur at some point.

There is no definitive "if it doesn't hurt it's cancer". For some that has been true, but everyone and their bodies are different so it is definitely not a good way to tell if it's a serious issue or not. Only way to know for sure is a biopsy, but you don't have to worry about that until you get your mole biopsy results. If that turns out to be melanoma, then I would have a much bigger suspicion of the lymph node. Until then, there isn't any reason to get worked up about the lymph node. You could still bring it up to the doctor, just to get their opinion and so they have a record of it if it needs to get looked into furthur at some point.

There is no definitive "if it doesn't hurt it's cancer". For some that has been true, but everyone and their bodies are different so it is definitely not a good way to tell if it's a serious issue or not. Only way to know for sure is a biopsy, but you don't have to worry about that until you get your mole biopsy results. If that turns out to be melanoma, then I would have a much bigger suspicion of the lymph node. Until then, there isn't any reason to get worked up about the lymph node. You could still bring it up to the doctor, just to get their opinion and so they have a record of it if it needs to get looked into furthur at some point.

First, it would be unusual for melanoma to spread to the other side of your neck, if you had melanoma, it'd usually just be in lymph nodes on one side, the side closest to the biopsy site.

I am not as familiar with ultrasound looking at lymph nodes, I guess they can see if they're enlarged, but that seems obvious if you can feel them. Don't think it can show if it's cancerous or not.. but I'm not an expert on ultrasound so I don't really know. Try not to freak out though, stress isn't healthy for anyone, especially since you don't even know if your biopsy is something to be concerned about yet.

First, it would be unusual for melanoma to spread to the other side of your neck, if you had melanoma, it'd usually just be in lymph nodes on one side, the side closest to the biopsy site.

I am not as familiar with ultrasound looking at lymph nodes, I guess they can see if they're enlarged, but that seems obvious if you can feel them. Don't think it can show if it's cancerous or not.. but I'm not an expert on ultrasound so I don't really know. Try not to freak out though, stress isn't healthy for anyone, especially since you don't even know if your biopsy is something to be concerned about yet.

Jenn at last years ASCO they reported on a German study (Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group in Germany) where the patients either had all the lymph nodes removed after possitive sentinel nodes or watch and wait using ultra sound monitoring. They found no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of 5-year recurrence-free survival,distant metastases-free survival, and melanoma-specific survival. In the states they are waiting for the data from the MSLT-2 trial to mature before changing the standard of care. If you google MSLT-2 and ultra sound plus Melanoma you will get a description of the study where ultra sound vs complete lymphadenectomies are being followed in around 2000 patients. I have had ultra sound twice when stuff has shown up on Ct scans.  I think it is a standard step before ordering a biopsy. Best wishes!!!! Ed 

Jenn at last years ASCO they reported on a German study (Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group in Germany) where the patients either had all the lymph nodes removed after possitive sentinel nodes or watch and wait using ultra sound monitoring. They found no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of 5-year recurrence-free survival,distant metastases-free survival, and melanoma-specific survival. In the states they are waiting for the data from the MSLT-2 trial to mature before changing the standard of care. If you google MSLT-2 and ultra sound plus Melanoma you will get a description of the study where ultra sound vs complete lymphadenectomies are being followed in around 2000 patients. I have had ultra sound twice when stuff has shown up on Ct scans.  I think it is a standard step before ordering a biopsy. Best wishes!!!! Ed 

Thanks for the info Ed, I know I have heard of it being done, just didn't know the science behind what it shows. I would definitely take an ultrasound over cutting into body any day! 

Thanks for the info Ed, I know I have heard of it being done, just didn't know the science behind what it shows. I would definitely take an ultrasound over cutting into body any day! 

Thanks for the info Ed, I know I have heard of it being done, just didn't know the science behind what it shows. I would definitely take an ultrasound over cutting into body any day! 

Jenn at last years ASCO they reported on a German study (Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group in Germany) where the patients either had all the lymph nodes removed after possitive sentinel nodes or watch and wait using ultra sound monitoring. They found no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of 5-year recurrence-free survival,distant metastases-free survival, and melanoma-specific survival. In the states they are waiting for the data from the MSLT-2 trial to mature before changing the standard of care. If you google MSLT-2 and ultra sound plus Melanoma you will get a description of the study where ultra sound vs complete lymphadenectomies are being followed in around 2000 patients. I have had ultra sound twice when stuff has shown up on Ct scans.  I think it is a standard step before ordering a biopsy. Best wishes!!!! Ed 

First, it would be unusual for melanoma to spread to the other side of your neck, if you had melanoma, it'd usually just be in lymph nodes on one side, the side closest to the biopsy site.

I am not as familiar with ultrasound looking at lymph nodes, I guess they can see if they're enlarged, but that seems obvious if you can feel them. Don't think it can show if it's cancerous or not.. but I'm not an expert on ultrasound so I don't really know. Try not to freak out though, stress isn't healthy for anyone, especially since you don't even know if your biopsy is something to be concerned about yet.