how are lymph nodes and melanoma connected? I heard you can get it in your nodes. Anyone know what occurs?

Question

I've had a mole on my shoulder for a long time it's large but I've kept an eye on it mostly. It's been about a year since I've had it checked, and sometimes it can be sore when I scratch it. Anyway, I also have an enlarged node in my neck that I've been told is nothing to worry about but then I read a bit ago that you can get melanoma in your lymph nodes. So now I'm worried about the connection between this mole and the node. Can anyone help me please!

Answer 1

First, are you sure if your mole is really a melanoma. The only way to know is if your doctor biopsies the mole and the pathologist says that it is a melanoma. Now if it is a melanoma, the connection between a melanoma and a lymph node is when the melanoma spreads (metastasize). Now if your mole is not a melanoma, then there is probably no connection between your mole and the enlarged lymph node except if you scratch your mole and it gets infected. Then you may have an enlarged lymph node related to your mole.

Answer 2

There are 3 types skin cancers....basil cell, squamous cell and then melanoma you are concerned about. Any mole that changed size and color..(darkens, won't heal etc) should be removed and sent to a lab for testing.
Melanoma, why it is so serious is that it can spread thru out the body affecting lympth nodes as well as one said his brother had. You can have swelling of the lympth nodes though from other infections near the site....the nodes can be in your groin, neck, and under your arms to name the most common ones affected by certain cancers.
To keep you from worrying, go to your doctor about your gland being swollen....he will probably put you on an antibiotic for an infection and then have you return to recheck it...unless he feels more to it then he would refer you right on for further evaluation.

Answer 3

Actually...melanoma can move into your lymph system. My brother had melanoma on his face that was misdiagnosed for 5 years that spread to his parotid gland and a few lymph nodes in his neck. Do yourself a favor and see your doctor...make it clear that you want the mole to be biopsied as well as your node. You are the only one that truly knows your body...! Good luck.

Answer 4

for starters your getting lymph nodes and moles confused. they are two entirely different things. Lymph nodes are beneath the skin and carry antigens they are similar to the veins in appearance. Moles can be malignant but in most cases are not. they should be removed and checked. There are lymph nodes located in your neck but they are near your ear and lower jaw line. you can feel them swell when your body is fighting some kind of infection like a cold or virus.

Lymphatic cancer is not connected to skin cancer they are two different types of cancer, having one does not make you have the other. But you should have the mole removed and get some antibiotics if the nodes remain swollen.