Hello and thanks for posting

I'm sorry to read about what your mum's situation. This must be an incredibly difficult time for you both and it's understandable that you are feeling worried waiting for things to happen.

I'm not sure why your mum was told that she has to wait 6 to 12 months for treatment. Melanoma is usually treated much sooner than this. However, NHS waiting times can vary depending on hospital capacity, staffing, and how urgent she needs to be seen. I would check with the dermatology team and get them to clarify your mum's situation. They should be able to advise on treatment options and follow up care to try and minimise further spread.

You may also find it helpful to contact the hospital's Patient Advisory Liaison Service ( PALS))  to explain your concerns.

I hope you both know more soon. Give us a ring if you would like to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene

I'm sorry for jumping in but I'm a melanoma patient & I was wondering if your mum had misunderstood what she was told at her dermatology appointment. Did anyone go with her so you can check if they agree with everything she was told? 

Dermatologists don't usually tell a patient at the first appointment that 'You have melanoma' because the only way to confirm what it is is by having a biopsy. I'm wondering if, because of your mum's history, they said they thought it might be a new melanoma? 

I'm assuming your mum was Stage 3 if she had lymph node involvement or was the lymph node involvement due to a different type of cancer? When did this happen? Was mum still under the dermatologist or had she been discharged and had to be referred again through her GP? 

The reason I ask all these questions is because - if someone was a Stage 3 melanoma patient and they presented with what appeared to be another melanoma, the consultant would get her in for a biopsy very quickly (at least within a few weeks). Even if someone has never been a melanoma patient, the average wait for a biopsy is currently 4 weeks (depending on the hospital trust. I believe some hospitals in Scotland are taking a little longer). 

The only time it would take 6 to 12 months for a biopsy is if it's believed to be a non melanoma skin cancer (such as basal cell or squamous cell which, as a melanoma patient it's not unusual to suffer from one of these at some point too due to all these skin cancers being caused by UV damage). Could mum have got her wires crossed and it was thought to be 'non melanoma' skin cancer?

I think it would be best to sit down with mum and go over what was said at the appointment. If you are still unsure, contact dermatology as Celene advises but mum will have to give her permission on the phone if she wants you to do all the talking!

If, in the unlikely event mum was told exactly what she told you, I would, as Celene advises, contact PALS as there should never be this kind of delay for someone who has had Stage 3 melanoma in the past. If it turns out to be melanoma there is a good chance it's another 'primary' melanoma which means it's not a spread and is unconnected with the original. The only time it would be a spread on/below the skin is if it's spread immediately under the skin (satellite metastases) which happens in only a very small percentage of melanoma cases. Most melanomas spread internally to an organ or bone. 

I hope this helps. Good luck and please let us know how you & mum get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)