CancerCompass message board discussion started by Michellenic on 5/9/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,11941,0.htm Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I was just diagnosed with Stage 1 melanoma.  I am suppossed to have it excised on Monday but I have an appointment with an oncologist tomorrow to see if I should have my lymph nodes checked.According to my dermatologist, since I am not sure whether or not to have the lymph nodes checked, he recommended to do it. I had the original mole removed in 2004 and it showed pre-cancerous cells.   Now two years later it has turned into melanoma. At only 35, I am a little unsure how to proceed.   Anyone else with a similar situation. Does anyone have an opinion on if I should have the lymph nodes checked?     Michellenic Wed, 09 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT stage 1 MM is fairly common and cured with surgery.  If the cancer is into the dermis layer of skin ( more than 1mm or so) then nodal spread is more common.  You want to be agressive with melanoma because stage 4 is fatal.  If there is question about the depth of involvement, get the nodes checked. Oncrx Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT I had a stage 1 removed in February on my right foot. they had to do a skin graft as the doctor went a little wider and deeper than the melanoma to be sure of getting it all. He suggested highly to have my lymph nodes checked, I did and they were negative.My doctor also sent me for additional tests and found a tumor on my right kidney. I had my kidney removed April 9th. If you have insurance then I would not hesitate because at stage 1 is when can start spreading to the lymph nodes. Better safe than sorry. I know many people that have had the procedure, and by more testing it saved my life. I never would have kown about my kidney until it was too late. Good luck to you, let me know how things go.Take care, Trudi  Trudi Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT You must have the testing in lymph nodes, if it travels the first stop is the lymph nodes.  Dean in Georgia Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 5/11/2007 Oncrx wrote:stage 1 MM is fairly common and cured with surgery.  If the cancer is into the dermis layer of skin ( more than 1mm or so) then nodal spread is more common.  You want to be agressive with melanoma because stage 4 is fatal.  If there is question about the depth of involvement, get the nodes checked.BAD INFORMATION!!!!!  Please don't tell people melanoma can be cured!  It's SCARY how many people (even doctors) don't understand this disease!  Once you get melanoma, you can pretty much count on it coming back!  You must be diligent in getting regular checkups and regular scans!  Too many doctors tell people they're cured after they have their stage I melanoma removed!  A person who thinks they're cured is not going to worry with such trivial things as regular checkups, and years down the road, they are shocked with the news that they have Stage III or IV melanoma!  Sorry, it's just been a bad day, and this kind of misinformation just really irritates me!   Sam673 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT