Malignant Melanoma in situ

Hi everyone.I have had a big mole on my arm for as long as I can remember but last December,I noticed blood on the sleeve of my nightshirt.I looked at my arm and the mole was bleeding and it was different shades of brown and shape had changed.I saw a specialist in Jan who told me it needed to be removed asap but within 2 weeks.I had it removed around 6 weeks ago.I'm back up next week for a further op to remove more tissue and skin.As much as it's described as a stage 0 and the cancer cells are only in the epidermis I've been living with it for years and obviously around 4 months since I saw the blood,I've been worried sick it can spread.My mother has had several cancers so I feel I want to tell the hospital to check my lymph nodes as the mole was close to one just to put my mind at rest and ask them to check other large dark moles.has anyone done this and actually had notice taken of them or just brushed off with the "it's not necessary line"? At the end of the day,I know they removed it but the time it took to do that worries me.please tell me I'm not nuts

  • Hi not sure I can help but in same boat had two large moles one of which was referred for cracking and bleeding 6 months ago... went for mammogram and consultant there saw it and one just below and my gp had them off within 48hours! I'm now worried as I've got loads of them they only saw those and I'm still waiting for my result 3 weeks today... wanted to say good luck and I think from what I've read they'll exam your skin all over to be sure 

  • Hello there 

    I am sorry to hear about your situation and appreciate times like this are a worry.

    Staging ( size and extent) of a cancer is really important as it guides the doctors as to what the best treatment is and what other tests may also be needed.

    Stage 0 melanoma is where the cancer cells are contained to the top layer of the skin (epidermis) only and are often called insitu. Some doctors would say these aren't even cancer but pre cancer as they are contained so haven't had the chance to go anywhere else or spread. This is why there is no need to sample the lymph nodes. 

    The treatment for stage 0 melanoma is surgery where the mole is removed. The cells will have been closely examined under a microscope to give the stage 0 diagnosis and a further wide excision of skin and tissue will make sure nothing else has been left behind, and this will also be examined to be sure.

    Do talk through the worries you have with the doctor when you next see them and also ask if you can have a general skin check for other moles for your own peace of mind.

    We have a section about Melanoma here on our website.

    Do get back if you have further questions or call us on 0808 800 4040, Monday-Friday 9-5.

    I hope all goes well for you next week

    Take care

    Naomi