Hi Willow,

A very warm welcome to the forum. This is always a worrying wait, as there is no easy answer to your question. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years. I have also had 3 wide local excisions in different parts of my body and fortunately, all 3 came back clear.

Have you been told when you will get the results? Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Willow,

Most melanoma patients get a clear WLE result, especially if the melanoma is shallow like yours was. I know it's still a worry but your melanoma was caught very quickly so there is every chance you won't have any further problem. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Thanks Angie! I think I'm a bit thrown because I had a melanoma 5 years ago with clear WLE result and my skin cancer expert said I was a "slow burn" person and even though it had been growing for a while the melanoma wasn't very deep (another in situ). 
 

This time the melanoma appeared out of nowhere suddenly despite following all sun advice etc and when I saw him he said it was nothing to worry about but because of my history we would take it out as cells changing etc. I was therefore very surprised when it came back as a melanoma at all. 
 

It is also scary when you are doing everything you are told to try to avoid getting another one but then get one. Makes me think I'm going to keep getting them and made me very anxious. Don't get me wrong I know how very lucky I am that it's just in situ and can be cut out I just want to see my young kids grow up etc...
 

Willow x

Hi Willow,

Have you had any reply to your email? I hope that you hear soon. It always seems unfair when you have done all you can to avoid the sun, but I suppose that some of us are luckier than others.

I'm still hoping for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine,

no reply to my email yet but I guess COVID is having an impact on response times xx

Hi Willow,

This highlights two things that consultants sometimes don't make clear to newly diagnosed patients.

Firstly, it's not uncommon for a patient to suffer another primary melanoma in their lifetime. It's not connected to the first melanoma diagnosis and doesn't mean the first one has spread - it's a new melanoma in it's own right.

The second point is that, although we practice sun safety after a diagnosis, any new primaries that occur will have been caused several years ago. Most patients diagnosed between the ages of 18 - 40 are due to sun damage caused in their childhood or youth - it can take many years for it to surface! I was first diagnosed at the age of 39 - I know for a fact that my primary was caused by sporadic sunbed use in my late teens to my early 30s plus a bad sunburn on my shin when I was 28. It took 11 years for the mole on my shin to turn cancerous.

So don't beat yourself up about finding another when you have been following all the sun safety guidelines. Also be aware that with some people, melanoma isn't caused by UV damage but it's genetic! The good thing is that you know what to look out for so you spot it & get it treated straight away! 

Don't worry, you will see your kids grow up as long as you stay vigilant and protect your skin against any future damage in your 50's & above. 

Angie x

Thanks Angie. It is so nice to hear from someone knowledgable and who understands. I will certainly have to keep vigilant. No family history of skin cancer but I did occasionally use sunbeds as a vain teenager too and the odd episode of sunburn in pursuit of looks. Obviously with hindsight I wouldn't do it but as a teen you just think it won't happen to you! 

Willow x

Hi Willow,

Covid could well be having some impact, but I hope that you hear soon.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

So I was supposed to get my "results" today. Went in to see my consultant and he said that the pathologists were arguing. One said there were just changing mole cells nearby and the other said they found a satellite melanoma cell thing.

it's now been sent to some expert in London who will decide. He said he has never seen a satellite melanoma in a melanoma in situe but worst case he started talking about oncologists, immunotherapy and now I am absolutely terrified!

anyone got any experience or info about this? I thought they just chopped things out. No idea how a melanoma in situe could result in chat about oncologists and immunotherapy. Please help!

Willow x