Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Outcome (Lymphedema, wounds)

achandler
achandler Member Posts: 1
in Skin Cancer #1

I have just been diagnosed with a .89 thick melanoma, and have been told that I have the option to either have a sentinel lymph node biopsy performed or not do it.  My doctor indicates little risk to this procedure, but I wonder if I am hearing the whole story.  Has anyone had this procedure done without the complete lymph node dissection performed afterwards?  If so, what was your experience as far as recovery and or/issues (long term or short term)? 

Thanks,

Anne 

Comments

  • GSP2
    GSP2 Member Posts: 103 Member
    edited May 2017 #2
    I chose

    to have it done. I needed to know for sure it was localized. Our local plastic surgeon did it. I had some swelling afterwards which gradually resolved. A little tingling in the area. No restriction of motion. The injections by the radiologist around the lesion before I was scanned surprisingly hurt a bit. I don't regret my decision one bit and wish you the best of luck.

     

    Steve

  • Thomas Metzke
    Thomas Metzke Member Posts: 1
    #3
    Rt Axillary Lymph Node Disection

    I had the whole Right Axillary Lymph Node Disection after I had 1 positive node from the Sentinal Node Biopsy. I had 1.5 thick Melanoma on my right upper back that was removed also. The Dissection was not as bad as I thought from researching some articles. My surgical oncologist went in the scar from the SNB, took 23 nodes out and left a drain about 1 inch under the incision. This was the most annoying part of the whole recovery. I drained a bit more than usual, from 130cc for about the first week until 6 weeks later when he took it out I was draining 10cc a day. My strenght is about 90 percent of what it was and just a little loss of motion. I could have been back to work in about 2-3 weeks, except for having the drain. I had no indications of Lymphedema at all.

     

    I wish you well,

     

    Tom

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