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Melanoma VS spitz nevus

nervousneIIy
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Hi everyone, I hope you are all very well 

I was looking to know has anyone been through what I’m currently going through and if anyone wants to give me a hand hold that would be great as I am so scared! 

I noticed a new mole 11 months ago on my lower back upper buttocks whilst I was 30 weeks pregnant, when I first noticed it , it was flat (slightly raised) and a brownish reddish colour within a short number of weeks the mole raised a lot more and it went completely brown and developed a large black dot in the centre of it. It was screaming red flags to me! I went to the gp who said she wasn’t sure but “deep in her heart she doesn’t think it’s melanoma” so she sent a picture of it to the dermatologist at my local hospital, the dermatologist came back and said it doesn’t look concerning. Fast forward a few months I still wasn’t happy as it was still changing and it didn’t look right to me so I went back to the GP, it was a different GP this time, she looked at it with a dermatoscope for literally 2 seconds and said “nope, that’s normal” however I can remove it if i like to ease my anxiety around it. So I did, I got it removed and got it biopsied. 



results came back as a spitz nevus but the pathologist wasn’t 100% sure and has referred me to dermatologist for them to perform a wide local excision around where the mole was to see. I was told it’s either a spitz nevus or a melanoma and they need to rule it out. My GP who rung to deliver this news had told me spitz nevus don’t appear you’re usually born with them or develop them as a child. (I’m 19) so I’m terrified as it only appeared less than a year ago and it changed significantly within weeks. 

I have read that’s it’s really common to develop new moles during pregnancy, I’m hoping that’s all it was. 

I am so nervous and confused by it all. Does anyone have any knowledge of the above? 

thanks xxx

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    Does anyone know if spitz nevus can just appear and do they change rapidly? 

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat community Nervousnelly although I'm sorry about for the worry and confusion this mole is causing.

    As you will see on our website, it says that a spitz naevus mainly occurs in children and young adults, often before the age of 20. Hopefully the results from your wide local excision will confirm this, but I know it will be difficult to shake off the worry that it might be a melanoma until those results come through.

    We do have a lot of posts about moles on the forum so I'm sure it won't be long until some of our members stop by to share their experiences and advice.

    If you would like to talk things through with someone then don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our cancer nurses on 0808 800 4040. Their helpline is open Monday - Friday between 9a.m -5p.m and they will do all they can to answer your questions and put your mind at ease whilst you wait.

    We're thinking of you Nervousnelly and will have our fingers crossed everything will be o.k.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Steph

    Hi there. I’m now 2 years post melanoma diagnosis following a thick stage 3c tumour. Please be assured that skin cancer isn’t the death sentence that it was just a decade ago. Like you I went to my GP with all the signs of a classical melanoma and was referred to a dermatologist who sent me home with some cream as my mole had turned angry, sore and bleeding. He initially suggested it was just an SK because I was older (over 60). But after another couple of weeks on follow up he did decide to remove the mole and send the biopsy for analysis as is normal best practice. The results proved the diagnosis and I had to go for the wider excision and Sentinel node biopsy. So from your perspective the fact you have had your mole removed has already improved your chances because the main cancerous tissue has been taken away. The wider excision is a small procedure to remove a larger area from around the original mole to ensure any residual cells left are removed. Depending on your results you might be offered a sentinel node biopsy. That is the next layer of defence if the cancer has penetrated beyond your skin. Think of it as a filter like a bunch of grapes. It has multiple layers which have more nodes each layer it goes up. This is your defence to prevent the cancer from progressing to other parts of your body. Therefore rest assured if your surgeon hasn’t recommended this, then that is good news. Good luck and hope all is well for you, enjoy your baby 

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