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Possible Skin Cancer? Mole has disappeared from my face but there is still a mark. I'm worried as I had kidney cancer last year.

MrsB2024
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Hi everyone

I had a mole that appeared suddenly around 9 months ago on my face, it got bigger and became crusty around the edges, looked a different from my other moles, so I got it checked by my GP, who took some pictures and measurements and it measured at 1/2cm and gave me some steroid cream.

1 month later the mole started to shrink in size, go crusty even more and then bleed and now it has disappeared and not raised at all, but there is still a mark there.

I am worried as I had Kidney Cancer 1 year ago and it doesn’t sit right with me. I have booked in to see my GP again, but that’s in 3 weeks time….

Any ideas what it could be? Could it be skin cancer? Do moles disappear on their own?

Thanks in advance

  • I'm sorry for the stress and worry this is causing MrsB2024, especially when you have another 3 weeks to go until you can speak to your GP again.

    Although no-one within our community can tell you what this is, they will understand exactly what you're going through and hopefully some of them will be along soon to offer their support and advice.

    I hope this guide we have on how to cope with the wait will help to steady your nerves but if you would like to talk things through with one of our nurses, you can give them a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They will do all they can to answer your questions and ease your mind whilst you wait.

    I know that next few weeks are going to be tough, but we are here for you MrsB2024, and we'll have our fingers crossed this mole/mark is no cause for concern.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    I'm not a doctor or nurse but I've been a melanoma patient for many years. If the GP gave you cream that worked on the 'mole,' it sounds like it was a basal cell carcinoma. My family have had several of these & used the cream, which makes them disappear but they left a red mark on the skin. I'm sure your GP will be able to put your mind at rest.

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thank you for your reply.

    I had a response from the doctor after sending in new pictures and he has said it looks normal and if anything regrows or changes in colour to contact them back after 10 days…

    I just find it strange how cream can make a mole disappear? I didn’t think moles disappear only with age and I am only 40 yrs old and only had the mole for around 9 months…. Confused 

  • Offline in reply to MrsB2024

    Moles can appear & disappear at any age but they don't usually disappear as we get to 50+. In fact, we are more prone to benign 'age spots' when we get to 50+ if we've spent our younger years in the sun and these can sometimes be mistaken for flat moles.

    However, after the age of 40 it's unusual for new moles to appear so it's always best to be checked out by a GP. If a mole disappears on it's own, it's usually because your immune system is fighting what it thinks is an alien threat to your body, even if the mole is benign. In your case, either this is what has happened & it's a co-incidence that you were using the chemo cream at the time, or it wasn't a mole but a basal cell carcinoma (they can sometimes look like a mole) and the cream fixed it (which happens in the majority of BCCs). 

    Of course, if the mole appeared & disappeared whilst you were being treated for kidney cancer, it may be related to the treatment? I don't have any experience of kidney cancer & it's treatment but over the years of being a melanoma patient I have never known of kidney cancer being linked to melanoma. Have you done any research into the side effects of the treatment you received/are receiving and/or spoken to your cancer nurse about this? Your GP may have the answers but they don't usually know too much about specific cancer treatments & side effects.

    Good luck with your appointment & hopefully the GP or your cancer nurse can help answer your questions.

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