Amelanotic melanoma ??

I have had a mole on my lower back/upper bum cheek since birth (affectionately called my butt freckle) It was perfectly round, flat and the colour of a dark freckle. 
Three nights ago I had an itch in the area but when I touched it it hurt ( I didn’t actually scratch) I took a photo and it’s a bit like a small brain growing there. It’s no longer round, about 3x4mm and has lost all its pigment. 
My understanding is that a BCC is flesh coloured but rarely starts as a mole and a melanoma starts as a mole but is usually brown/black/red etc. Some melanomas however lose their pigment as they grow and are known as amelanotic melanomas. 
I went to see a gp this morning and she took a look at it, measured it and said it’s nothing. She said it looks like I’ve just caught my skin and that if it was cancer it wouldn’t be that pale colour. I asked her if she was sure and she said “ if it was me I certainly wouldn’t be losing any sleep over it.” I was clearly upset so she said she will write off to the skin specialist at hospital with what she’s found but not to be concerned if I don’t hear anything back in the next 2 weeks. 
my question is, firstly, is she wrong about skin cancer always being dark? And secondly, if she has downplayed what she can she and don’t contact me, ought I ask for a second opinion as it meets the ABCDE guide. 
Thankyou 

  • Hi there and thanks for the post

    I am sorry you have noticed a change in your skin that is worrying you. I'm afraid no one here can say what this may be and you have done the right thing by seeing your GP.

    The GP has tried to reassure you and they are very experienced at assessing skin conditions and of the warning signs and abcde system. See what the dermatology referral comes back as and if you remain concerned see a different doctor.

    Skin cancers can all look and appear differently in colour, so I am unsure if the doctors comment about that was worth saying, but it doesn't sound like they were overly concerned, which is good.

    I hope you know more soon and can get some peace of mind about this quickly.

    All the best

    Naomi

  • Hi,

    Can I just add to Nurse Naomi's advice. If you don't hear anything from dermatology in 2 weeks I would make another appointment at your surgery and ask if they have a GP that specialises in dermatology. If they do, they can look at your mole with a dermascope rather than with just the human eye. If they don't have a GP that does this, ask to see any other GP in the practice for a second opinion. Meanwhile, I suggest you ask someone to take a photo of your mole today & then again in 2 weeks (if you haven't heard anything). You can use these photos to show if any changes have occurred over the weeks and they may be useful if the GP decides to forward them to dermatology who can make a better assessment. Don't be afraid to push for it to be checked thoroughly and yes, not all skin cancers are dark. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)