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Potential Melanoma - No Info

Anxious_Raccoon
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Hey everyone, 

First off, can I just say what a massive help this forum has been for my anxiety - a big thank you to those of you who have posted regularly and kept everyone updated. 

So, as to why I am posting... About 5 weeks ago, my partner mentioned that one of the moles on my back looked a little odd (typical ugly duckling) so I asked them to take a picture for me so I could have a look. It looked noticeably different from how I remembered it but also it's on my back and I never see it so who knows! Their brother was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in July quite unexpectedly and so we just wanted to be cautious.

I booked in to see my GP who booked me in the next day and when I was there said he would be referring me to Dermatology. They didn't say why but did ask if Skin Cancer ran in my family. I have a cousin who has had BCC twice, once 7 years ago and once 3 years ago. I also have a Great Aunt who had pre-cancerous lesions removed. My grandfather had cancerous growths removed from his face and eventually passed away due to a brain tumour. 

The NHS then did that whole "you can see your whole medical history" thing so I was able to see my referral and then saw I had been referred under the 2-week Suspected Skin Cancer Rules. On the form he had marked me down for suspicious lesion scoring > on the weighted list. Said my risk factors were Multi Naevi but he didn't ask about my skin history at all (I grew up in South Africa so have had plenty of excessive UV Exposure and numerous blistering burns) I am also extremely pale. 

Then on the form, he ticked that he had discussed with me the possibility that the diagnosis may be cancer which he definitely didn't! Admittedly, I didn't think anything would come of this appointment so didn't spend any time looking at my other moles beforehand. 

Anyway, I got a letter through for Dermatology but with not much info, turns out that the appointment was just for a photograph with a Dermascope. I expected to see a Dermatologist at this appointment who I could discuss my other moles with but they just took a picture of the one and then sent me on my way. I hadn't heard anything back in a couple weeks so I called last week to follow up and was told I was being referred for Day Surgery and that someone would be in touch. My letter has now arrived and basically just says that after reviewing the images, the Dermatology Team feels the lesion will require removal for examination under the microscope. 

Now, am I correct in thinking that means it could still not be a Melanoma but based on the imaging, they feel it needs to be removed and sent for Biopsy? They are doing an Excision Biopsy rather than a Shave Biopsy so does this mean it's more likely to be a melanoma? In the letter, they also said "Usually surgery is curative but some lesions require a period of follow-up of further treatment" 

I still haven't spoken to a dermatologist and feel like I've just been left to figure this out and sit in my anxiety and I'm feeling quite frustrated! I just want to talk to someone before I get to the Day Surgery especially if any of my other moles are looking dodgy and would like to know how long I'm looking at being on the waiting list for. 

Sorry for the mega-long post - hopefully someone has experienced something similar and can help... 

Thanks xx

  • Offline

    Hi,

    You are correct in thinking that it could still not be melanoma. Most patients that have a mole removed don't have melanoma -the biopsy confirms they are benign or dysplastic (precancerous). So it's not a foregone conclusion that yours will be malignant, but they prefer to remove them as a biopsy is the only way to know for sure.

    They don't do shave biopsies on moles, only on lesions suspected to be Basal Cell. This is because a shave will only remove the top, leaving the root still in the skin.

    I'm assuming the letter didn't give you a date for the excision? They usually do a pre op appointment, usually by phone, where they will explain the procedure and you can ask any questions you have. If you have already been given a date, give dermatology a ring and ask for a Specialist Nurse to call back with more details.

    With reference to family history - they won't be too bothered about relatives with BCC as they aren't connected to melanoma, other than the fact that both are caused by UV exposure. 88% of melanoma cases are caused by UV exposure whilst the remaining 12% are genetic - it doesn't always mean the gene runs in a family, a patient can have the gene without other family members having it. From what you have said it sounds like UV would be the cause if your mole is malignant or dysplastic.

    The reference to curative or follow up means that a melanoma caught very early may only require excision - if slightly deeper they monitor you for at least a year to ensure other moles are fine.

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

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thanks Angie, really appreciate your reply! 

    I'm definitely feeling less anxious than I was when I was just told I was being referred for surgery. 
    I've not been given a date yet, I was just told someone would be in touch with a date soon but that I was on the waiting list. 

    So I might try calling them in a week or two if I've not heard back and ask to speak wot a Specialist Nurse to help put my mind at ease. I'm taking some comfort in the fact that they've not rushed me through for surgery or anything. 

    If you don't mind me asking, did you feel unwell before you were diagnosed with stage 3? Or was it just that you found a mole/spot that you thought you should get looked at? I've been trying to educate myself on the different stages and things to be aware of with Melanoma (I'm one of those people who wants all the information all the time!) but most of what I've found just talks about the skin and doesn't go into much about how you feel generally

  • Offline in reply to Anxious_Raccoon

    Long story short. I was diagnosed Stage 1 in 1996, mole on shin. Surgery and monitored for 5 years. Unfortunately, in 2009 I found a lump in my groin. Had a biopsy and it was the melanoma that had lain dormant for years before growing in the lymph node until large enough for me to find it. No other symptoms. I had all the nodes removed from my groin and pelvis (melanoma also in a  pelvic node). I was unlucky in that I was in the 4% of Stage 1 patients that go on to have a recurrence. Thankfully I've been clear since then and melanoma treatment has improved immeasurably since then. 

    Good sources of information can be found on the Melanoma Focus and Melanoma UK websites.

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Oh wow!
    Very glad to hear you're clear now - thanks for sharing x

  • Offline

    Hi.  I had 7 removed 4 months ago.  2 were malignant rest were ok.  One on arm was stitched up. One on shin is still open wound being dressed daily but cancer gone now so not worried but very aware to keep an eye on my skin 

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Angie, how long did it take for your shin to heal?  They’ve been in twice and I have a golf bAll hole that’s taking forever 

  • Offline in reply to smilinglady

    My excision was nowhere near as large as yours so it only took 3 weeks to heal. Hope yours starts to heal soon.

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