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? Melanoma

KT79
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Today I have been told that I possibly have melanoma on my face. I went for a check on another lump in dermatology and whilst that lump was ok I also asked if they could check my face. I have had a patch of pigmentation for a few years but it is getting bigger and changing shape. She looked at it and said "oh this one is one we need to biopsy". She said that sometimes freckles can turn into skin cancer and this is uneven in shape and she wants to biopsy two darker areas. 

She said that if it comes back suspicious they will recommend that the whole patch is removed. It is on the right side of my face on my cheek bone. She said twice about it being removed so I'm feeling like she is prepping me.

I am now all over the place in my mind. If they have to remove the whole thing will I also need to be checked elsewhere for any spreading? 

Anyone have similar experience to this?

Thank you in advance for any advice xx

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    Hi,

    I'm sorry you are going through this worry & that you have to have the lesion removed for a biopsy. As it's facial there is a chance it might be a basal cell carcinoma which is non invasive. If it is, they don't need to check the rest of your body as it doesn't spread. However, basal cell is caused by UV damage & if you've been diagnosed with one BCC there is always a chance you will get another (due to the same sun damage). They typically occur on the face, back and (for men or ladies with short hair) the ear lobes. My dad had 2 removed from his face and my sister-in-law had one removed from her cheek & another from her back. The scars aren't pretty but they do heal well over time & my relatives scars didn't show after a year.

    If they suspect it's freckles that have turned cancerous it may possibly be suspected melanoma. This can be invasive unless caught quickly so they remove more skin & tissue than they do for a BCC or SCC. If biopsy results confirm melanoma, they will also check the rest of your moles & check for lumps in your neck, armpits and groin areas (where the lymph nodes are situated).

    I hope this helps & I hope you get clear results. Please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie,

    Thank you so much for reaching out to me. It is a very scary time. They have called today to book the biopsies in... That was very quick as appointment was only yesterday. 

    I am rather concerned as they are acting so quickly. 

    They have said it is freckles that may have turned to melanoma. Just hoping if it is that, that it hasn't spread anywhere else. 

    I also have Addison's so anything like this will take me a while to recover from...even need extra steroid dosing for the biopsies.

    Where abouts are you on your cancer journey?

    Kerry x

  • Offline in reply to KT79

    It's good that you are having it removed quickly as the waiting for appointments is very stressful. Please don't read anything into the speed of the appointment - they've probably had some last minute surgery cancellations - at this time of year they get lots of patients cancelling surgery because they have a holiday booked & don't want to cancel their holiday. The quicker the surgery, the quicker the results.

    I was initially diagnosed Stage 1b in 1996 but I have been Stage 3 since 2009. I'm very fortunate that the surgery I had has kept me in remission (No Evidence of Disease) all these years later. If caught early, melanoma can be successfully treated with surgery for 98% of patients. I was sadly in the 2% that spread but there are now great drugs that, along with surgery, help many patients stay melanoma free for many years. 

    Hopefully your freckle won't be melanoma but if it is, hopefully it's been caught early. Good luck with the biopsy & please let us know how you get on

    Angie x

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