Melanoma in situ

I’ve always had flat ragged brown mole on my arm, with a few smaller ones around my neck (checked years ago, all ok).

Ive been in Norfolk, outside a lot, doing lots of manual work - tiling etc.

not aware of hurting myself but I am clumsy.

overnight woke up to a black mole.

went to drs few days later, 11x7mm and put on fast track.

dermatologist told me she wasn’t worried but would I like it removed. I said yes - she said 4-6 weeks. Photos taken. No mention of melanoma/cancer at all.

she sent letter on app pre photo results. Diagnosis melanoma in situ narrow 2mm excision.

i can’t tell from clinical notes what she thought except Mm? Noted (mm or melanoma?)

I read everywhere 5mm excision for melanoma in situ narrow  and 5mm for melanoma in situ.

why is mine 2mm? Why didn’t she mention any of this to me?

panicking. But I am neurotic and already stressing about pancreas ipmn. I’m going mad! 61 year old healthy(ish!) female

  • Hi there Jinx1

    Have you had your biopsy ? At the moment if you have had no biopsy you are not diagnosed with melanoma . If you are you would likely have another excision to take more skin off called a wider local excision 

  • Hey, presumably if in Norfolk you'll be at NNUH?  I would ignore the notes on the app (easier said than done I know) as you could read into a million different things.  My notes under diagnosis says "atypical naevus exclude possible malignancy/melanoma".  I will note that it also stated my mole was 10x5mm which although on my back I could tell was smaller than that & the plastic surgeon removing it said that it was closer to 5x2mm.  (My derm appointment was apparently with a clinical teaching fellow, whatever that means)

    Here was my timeline

    - GP referral 23rd July

    - Dermatology app (2 week cancer pathway) 7th August

    - Received call 12th to book the mole excision

    - Mole removed 29th August with 2 millimeter margins as is standard before sent to lab for testing and waiting (up to 12 weeks apparently)

    Hopefully you get called and booked in soon.