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Changing mole and lymph nodes swollen

Maisy_23
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Hi there, 

I have never really done anything like this before but I'm honestly really stressed and anxious about everything and wondered if anybody had any advice or had experienced anything similar. So I've always had a birthmark on my arm- the nature of this birthmark means that I have had 6 monthly check ups throughout my life just to check everything is in order as they have a tendency to grow/change. Then covid hit, and I didn't have an appointment for 18 months. I'd noticed that one area of the birthmark had grown, and it had also began to crust and flake off and then re-form again. So I explained what had happened and I got an appointment. My doctor (who I've had my whole life) basically told me that they would need to remove it- which I was happy about, however she said that the operation wouldn't likely be until Feb or March due to the covid back log. At first I was okay with this however the more I thought about it 3-4 months seems like an awfully long time to wait on something like this? She did not offer me a biopsy or a CT scan so I really don't know what stage it would be, or if it would even be classed as skin cancer, however from its appearance I am almost certain it is.

i then noticed a lump in my neck- I went to my GP and he said it just felt like a swollen lymph node (it's soft and movable) and said that it wasn't much of a concern but as a precaution he sent me for a blood test. The blood test came back fine and nothing else has been done since. I know I should probably book a GP appointment because It is still there, I'm just scared that it is melenoma that has spread to my lymphatic system- which i believe would make this stage 3?! I'm only 19 so I really don't know how to deal with this and just feel like I'm avoiding the doctors. However, the lymph node is still there and my birthmark is still very crusty and flakey- so I really don't know what to do. I think my main concern is that all along my birthmark has been malignant and has been spreading this whole time. 

  • Hello Maisy_23 and thanks for posting, 

    I am sorry to learn about what has been going on and can appreciatte that waiting is difficult. 

    A biopsy is necessary to confirm skin cancer and with some types of suspected skin cancer doctors prefer to do what is called an excisional biopsy when they take the whole suspicious looking area away. There are other types of biopsy, and sometimes a smaller amount of tissue can be removed or shaved off. But a biopsy is needed to diagnose skin cancer (it can also exclude it) and is usually the best test to do first of all rather than a CT scan.

    Even when skin cancer is suspected because of the way something looks, it doesn't always turn out to be cancer on biopsy. Although your doctor has referred you to the skin specialist, I do not know how suspicious she is about the changes to your birthmark. She might just be wanting to rule a skin cancer out to be on the safe side. Perhaps it would help to talk this over with her and explain your concerns.

    When cancers are suspected, referrals to see a specialist (in your case a dermatologist) are meant to move quickly, but we know the system is feeling the strain of the pandemic. I am not sure if you know which hospital you have been referred to, but you could try getting in touch directly with outpatients to ask if they can tell you when you are likely to be seen and also to offer to take a cancellation if you can get to the hospital at short notice. 

    Some people waiting for NHS appointments have turned to private care, I think this is often because anxiety has got the better of them and they can't bear to wait any more than they have to, but this isn't affordable for most of us.

    I think the best thing to do is to talk things over with your GP and get her input.

    Feel free to call us if you want to talk anything over, our number is freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around Weekdays 9-5 except bank holidays. 

    Best wishes, 

    Julia  

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