Hi,

Lentigo maligna is the very early stage of melanoma skin cancer. It is very slow growing and the cells are contained in the top layer of skin (epidermis) so it has not penetrated the lower layers and has no opportunity to spread throughout the body. Having said all that, if it's not removed it will, at some point, start to grow downwards and spread so it needs removing once it's been diagnosed. 

I know you''ve had it for 7 years but if you leave it a little longer it may start to grow vertically - it's a bit like playing Russian Roulette. Once it's grown downwards it means a larger area of surgery to what you will need at the moment - being on the face you won't want that. 

I don't know what the waiting times for Maxillofacial surgery is but it's probably similar to the Plastic's dept - about 2 to 4 weeks but perhaps slightly longer because some staff will be away for the school holidays. Although it's a large area that will be removed they are very good at doing neat work that heals well and the scar is negligible after several months.. 

As you care for your adult daughter I would suggest you contact the Maxillofacial Dept at your local hospital, explain that you need to arrange some care whilst you undergo surgery etc, and can they give you an idea when your appointment might be. Once you have an idea I would contact Social Services and tell them you need help whilst you are undergoing this procedure & for the following few days. Stick to your guns and emphasise that you are an early stage cancer patient. You shouldn't have too much problem doing your usual daily tasks but the first few days you will need to take care that you don't knock the surgery area  as you will have several stitches - I therefore suggest you also take a few days off work (find out if your employer's insurance covers you for working whilst recovering from invasive surgery - mine didn't so I had to take time off sick). 

This is the best website for explaining about lentigo maligna www.bad.org.uk/.../

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Angie

Thank you for the useful information. I will let you know how I get on. 

I will contact Social Work and hope they can be more helpful than usual

I went to my GP yesterday to find out how long I might have to wait for the referral appointment.

She said they are very busy so it will be several months.

So I have to assume it's not serious and there's no rush to see me or remove it.

That doesn't fit with anything I've read or the reply I've had on here but we are always told doctors know better than Google. 

I'm still a bit concerned but nothing more I can do. 

I would be interested to know other people's experiences of this condition