4 Steps to Take If Skin Cancer Runs in Your Family
Having a relative diagnosed with skin cancer like melanoma can naturally be concerning. Read on to learn more about how that affects your risk and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
What Is a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Melanoma?
Being diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, can be scary enough. Add in a doctor ordering a sentinel lymph node biopsy, and you might feel even more confused.
Complex general surgical oncologist Dr. Trevan Fischer uses cutting-edge surgical techniques to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma, at his private practice in Santa Monica, California. In addition, through his work as a clinical trials researcher at the Saint John's Cancer Institute, he brings the most advanced knowledge and methods to the treatment of his patients.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer because it grows quickly and can spread to other organs. While it can appear anywhere, including on the eyes, it is often found on the upper back of men and the legs of women. About one in three melanomas start in a mole, while the rest form in regular skin.
If melanoma is suspected, a biopsy is conducted to remove the tissue. Then, it is carefully examined to determine if cancer is present. If cancer is found, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be recommended to determine if it has spread.
Lymph nodes
The lymphatic system consists of narrow tubes and nodes that transport lymph fluid throughout the body to fight infections and eliminate aging or abnormal cells. The nodes catch bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells collected in the fluid.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy
If melanoma has spread, it is most likely to have expanded into nearby lymph nodes. During a sentinel lymph node biopsy, the sentinel node or nodes are removed and tested to see if there is cancer.
To learn which lymph node is the sentinel, a special dye is injected near the cancer site and traced as it slowly drains.
If no cancer is found, this likely means it hasn't spread. However, if cancer is detected, it is staged before treatment.
Reasons for biopsy
Certain factors determine whether a sentinel lymph node biopsy is needed after a melanoma diagnosis.
The thickness of the melanoma plays an important role in the decision, as well as if there are other risk factors. Broken skin on the melanoma, cancer cells in the melanoma's lymph or blood vessels, or quickly dividing cancer cells could all indicate the need for additional study.
With melanoma's fast growth, it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Whether you have a suspicious blemish or have been diagnosed with skin cancer, Dr. Fischer can help. Click to book an appointment or call the office today at 310-807-2688.
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