Is Sentinel Node Biopsy The Right Treatment For Melanoma?

Posted on Sun, 19 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 19 Oct 2014 Answered on

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My wife was diagnosed with a 4mm melanoma and is being told she needs sentinal node biopsy. How quickly should this be done after initial diagnosis and will they also do the removal of the melanoma during that procedure or is that done later

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Sentinel node biopsy should be done first. This is a single procedure. Only after it, the surgeon is able to tell if there is a need to remove the scar only or scar with lymph nodes. So this is done later, after sentinel node biopsy results.
As melanoma malignum is very aggressive type of tumor, quicker it will be diagnosed and removed, treatment gives more chances to survive.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (47 minutes later)

She is scheduled to meet with surgeon and oncologist in a week for initial consultation as referred by the dermatologist. Should I be pushing to have the appt and surgery quicker or is an additional week or so ok at this point

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
Well, a week most likely wont change anything. So he can wait till scheduled appointment.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar