Malignant melanoma advice

[JigFettler]

May I ask the help and advice of our awesome Forum.

This is NOT for me, but for a friend who has just had a facial melanoma (?2a) removed and needs a wider excision.

I've looked for HU melanoma communities and surprised to find none with very many members.

Our friend needs advice and a 2nd opinion etc. Perhaps a member of our community may recommend a person or a place. Marsden or The Christie.

She is UK based. Bristol area.

I hope my post is acceptable, skin care is close to all of us, the development of melanoma a risk. So perhaps poking that particular hornets nest may not be construed as inappropriate.

Jig

[Newdawn Administrator]

Hi Jig,

When I developed a malignant melanoma, I looked at the Macmillan Site for information but there is a specific melanoma support resource linked below which seems very good;

Melanoma U.K.

melanomauk.org.uk/contact

Sorry can’t recommend a specialist. I’m at the other end of the country.

Best wishes to you friend. It’s a scary diagnosis.

Newdawn

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to Newdawn]

Thank you Newdawn.

Yes it's scary, she's going back for 2cm border excision. RT eyebrow! 😲

I hope you have your melanoma well in check. 🙏

Jig

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to JigFettler]

Thanks Jig. Mine was back in 2014 and felt to be a direct result of immune dysregulation due to my CLL. I had a second excision but fortunately it was on my back so less aesthetically relevant than the face.

I found the support around skin cancer to be much better than I’ve ever received with blood cancer to be honest. Plus I had one of the best dermatologists in the country who has gone on to pioneer detection and treatments for melanoma. I asked him if he’d like to diversify into haematology but no luck 😉

Newdawn

[Walkingtall62 in reply to Newdawn]

Girl after my own heart Newdawn, seeing someone, believing in someone and then trying to bring them over to our side 🤫🤭. Take care

[Agfar]

Almost five years ago my husband had a 2a melanoma removed at our local hospital. He then had a wider excision and a biopsy done of the nearest sentinel lymph node. His melanoma was on his forearm so the sentinel node was under his arm. The lymph node biopsy would indicate if the melanoma had spread to other part/s of his body. Strangely the node biopsy was a choice, he didn't have to have it done but it made sense to do so. Yes he has a long scar but it is minimal in visibility. His skin has no dent. He has been monitored at roughly 6 month intervals to see if he is "spotless". During those five years he's had a punch biopsy done which proved to be nothing sinister. He hasn't been discharged yet but he is coming up to the 5 year anniversary. I hope that helps.

[Pearlpink]

hi. Both the Christie and marsden are fantastic for melanoma. I have a friend who was lined up for immunotherapy if the 2nd incision was not clear.

I imagine other places are excellent - I’m pretty certain there’s a specialist place in Birmingham but Christie and marsden definitely very very good.

[RogerPinner]

Jig, I was/an being treated at the Marsden (Professor James Larkin), excellent. 1 year post surgery adjuvant treatment with Dabrafenib and Trametinib, and a 5 year follow up inc. regular CT and MRI scans. And all on the NHS.

Roger

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to RogerPinner]

Thanks Roger. I really hope your success persists.

Jig