Hello all I am 48 yr.old, I have malignant melanoma and awaiting a WLE 21st June. I am now experiencing some disappearing moles leaving white patch behind. Has anyone else had this and was is to do with the
I doubt that anyone else will post with a similar story as I think this is quite a rare event, but it has been seen and written about before - that is the sudden appearance of a cluster of halo naevi following the removal of a melanoma.
As far as I know, it isn't fully understood why this happens. However one theory is that the reaction of the body's immune system to the melanoma results in the immune system having a go at ordinary melanocytes. Melanocytes are a type of skin cell that makes a pigment called melanin which gives the skin its natural colour. Melanomas start in melanocytes that have gone badly wrong.
There are antigens (which are substances that the immune system recognises ) on the surface of both melanoma cells and normal melanocytes. Naevi are made up of an overgrowth of melanocytes. Another condition called vitiligo when the skin also loses its pigment and tends to be immune system related has also been associated with melanoma occasionally.
As far as I know this is just something that has been seen and remarked on, I haven't been able to find out if it any has any particular significance. Do talk to your specialist about it when you have the chance. I expect they will want to know that this has happened and will be able to tell you more.
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