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Melanoma staging

TV123
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Hi there. 
is it possible for a diagnosis of melanoma in situ to be wrong?

For example, if the centre of the macule was darker before any medical advice and regressed, is there a possibility that this central area could have spread before regression, leaving only the newer expansion to show as an earlier stage? 
my concern is that I left mine for a long time and looking at old photos, the centra area appears much darker than it was at the point of my first dermatology appointment. Would anything regressed show in the biopsy? A full excision of the mole but not a WLE at this point .

I’ve been experiencing other odd symptoms such as rapid heart rate, whooshing in one ear (like baby ultrasound) squeaking breathing upon inhalation and a strange feeling in my head - but I keep dismissing these as injected.. when something in my instinct says something might be up.

can anyone advise?

  • Hello TV123 and thanks for your post,

    It is very difficult to give an opinion without being involved in your care. It is probably a case of waiting for the results from the pathologist. Pathologists are experts at looking at cells under a microscope. When they are in doubt they usually confer with other pathologists. You are probably best having this conversation with your dermatologist as they have more information about your case.

    The other symptoms may not be connected at all but it is worth talking through your symptoms with your GP. It can be stressful waiting for tests and this may account for how you are feeling.

    I do hope that you know more soon. Try if you possibly can not to over think it for now.

    There is an NHS website called Every Mind Matters. It has tips on trying to take your mind off stressful situations.

    I hope that you know more soon.

    If you would like to chat through any of this with one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a ring.

    The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040.

    All the best,

    Catherine

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Catherine

    Thank you for your ddetailed reply, Catherine. 
    Sorry if there was any ambiguity, I wasn’t asking specifically about my own case/results/care.
    My query was rather asking whether it is possible for melanoma, which has regressed in the centre, to be a later stage but to appear to pathology as In a situ (owing to the centre having been previously present for much longer than the edges and then regressing). 
    im curious as to whether this is possible.

    thanks again

  • in reply to TV123

    Hello and thank you for your further post,

    This is really a question for a histopathologist who is an expert at diagnosing diseases and studying diseases in tissues and organs. Unfortunately, we are not a hospital, and we do not have access to pathologists or scientists.

    I have found an article in Nature that describes regression in cutaneous melanoma, which you may find of interest.

    I hope this helps in some way.

    Jemma

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Jemma

    Ah, thank you, Jemma. Apologies, I didn’t intend to be pushy/ask anything beyond the boundaries of the forum. Thank you so much for the info. 

    best wishes

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