Cancer Research UK main site

Possible Melanoma on ear- what to expect

Denpho
Offline

Hi- I had an urgent referral to dermatology for a suspect mole on the top of my right ear. Derma have referred me on to plastic surgery for removal and possible wide excision. Does anyone have experience of this on their ear? Will I see the surgeon and then book another app for the actual removal or will it all happen on the same appointment? Would a wide excision be done under a general or local anaesthetic? Sorry lots of questions!!

Many thanks

 

  • Offline

    Hi,

    My mole wasn't on my ear but I know a few people who have had moles removed from that area. Most Plastic Surgeons give you all the surgical details at the initial appointment so there is every chance you will then get an appointment for the actual surgery. This will be made clear when you get sent the appointment. Surgery will be done as a day patient so the appointment will explain how long it will take etc (you usually go in for half a day because there is a lot of waiting around involved). Most removals are done under a local anaesthetic and, unless the dermatologist & Plastic Surgeon are 99.9% sure it's melanoma already, they won't do a Wide Local Excision (WLE) at that point - just remove the whole mole with a safe margin of skin. This is because they don't want to cause more scarring than necessary if it should turn out to be benign. If the biopsy results come back positive a WLE will be arranged for a later date. The WLE is also usually done under a local. 

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

    Angie (melanoma patient)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi AngieT,

    Thank you for that. 

    The derma cons said about the wide excision rather than biopsying or nibbling away but I guess I’ll know more when I see plastics.

    Its all the waiting that’s torture isn’t it? At least when you gave facts you can plan and move forward.

    Can I ask what your experience has been?

    Thank you again.x 

  • Offline in reply to Denpho

    Hi,

    I can understand their rationale in doing a WLE straight away. Yes, the waiting is the hardest because your mind wanders to the 'unknown'. At least once you get the results you feel more in control. So distraction is the key - find something you like doing and throw yourself into it (one of my distractions is doing my family tree - I can get lost in the past)! 

    My personal experience of melanoma - how long have you got? I was originally diagnosed Stage 1b in 1996 (mole on my shin). After my WLE I had regular check ups and was discharged in 2001. In the following years my brother & my niece had dodgy moles removed (dysplastic navus) and they were under my dermatologist who was doing research into Familial Melanoma. She asked us all to be part of her research so I recommenced 6 monthly check ups in 2007. In 2009 I found a lump in my groin and she diagnosed me Stage 3 so I had a full clearance of lymph nodes in my groin and pelvis - melanoma was found in the groin node and a pelvic node. Since then I have been on regular check ups and thankfully my luck is holding out. Since last September, newly diagnosed Stage 3 patients are also offered adjuvant drug treatment that was only offered to Stage 4 patients in the past. I'm not eligible because I have no evidence of disease but should it return I will start on the treatment. 

    So from my history you can see that melanoma is a sneaky little blighter that doesn't follow any predictable route and can come back to bite you on the bum at any time. I was just unlucky that it came back as 95% of Stage 1 patients never have further trouble! In all my years of experience research has come on in leaps and bounds and treatments are improving so I can have the luxury of being pragmatic, something newly diagnosed patients can't even contemplate. I try to use my experience to help wherever I can.

    Angie x

  • Offline in reply to Denpho

    Hi, I had a mole removed from my ear in 2005. At that time the surgeon cut what was called a wedge from my ear, I had a local, the worst part for me was hearing it all. My ear was stitched with the smallest stitches. A week later I had the results. Thank goodness it was clear of cancer.  I wish you well and would like you to know the operation was fine. Of course you do get pain after the op but pain killers helped. If I remember rightly my ear healed quickly. 

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie,

    Wow you've really had some ups and downs!! 

    Many thanks for your advice and support.xx

     

     

  • Offline in reply to jillyjo

    Hi Jillyjo,

    Thank you for that. That is reassuring as I was starting to think it must be positive for Melanoma with them going straight in with the wedge exision!

    How did they bridge the tissue gap, did you have to have a graft? Did you get a good healed result?

    Many thanks again.xx

     

  • Offline in reply to Denpho

    Hi, the surgeon pulled my ear down, just made my ear look smaller. I had no skin graft, initially it was painful but healed quickly. Of course it looks different to my other ear. I wear my hair long so it’s not at all noticeable. I appreciate that I was a lucky lady. Good luck. X

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.