› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Pregnant with possible melanoma diagnosis?
- This topic has 39 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by
AshleyS.
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- October 13, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Hi everyone!
I guess I'm just here to connect and express my fears, and maybe learn some information I didn't know before. I am a 33 year old female, and currently 24 weeks pregnant with my second child. I went in for a routine mole check a few weeks ago (it's been years since my last) and the doc recommended I get a Melafind scan due to some funny looking ones on my back she thought needed checking.I was scanned for 10, and out of those 10, one was dysplastic with a score of 2.1, and the other had a score of 3.4. The doctor said the both need to come off, and that the one with the high score needs to be checked for malignancy. He said it so casually that I didn't even think to ask any further questions before I left. Is he saying I could have cancer? Like, right now? I guess it's not sinking in or something. I feel fine. My pregnancy is going great; no issues. Good appetite and weight gain. Baby is strong and growing perfectly. It's a small, flat mole; no ulcerations or irritation. Can I feel at ALL assured that if it IS malignant, it would be just a 0 or 1 stage? I just feel like I'd feel sicker if it were more advanced then that.I know no one here is a doctor. I hate when people ask for medical advice online, and here I am doing just that. Any thoughts would be welcomed…thank you in advance!Michelle
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- October 13, 2016 at 1:47 pm
When I felt the knot in my neck I felt normal. A week later my pet scan had 7 tumors in my lungs and I felt normal still.
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Oh my GOD, I'm so sorry, that's terrible!!! It's just awful how insidious cancer can be. I hope you are doing okay?
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Oh my GOD, I'm so sorry, that's terrible!!! It's just awful how insidious cancer can be. I hope you are doing okay?
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Oh my GOD, I'm so sorry, that's terrible!!! It's just awful how insidious cancer can be. I hope you are doing okay?
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- October 13, 2016 at 1:51 pm
So sorry you are dealing with this worry during such a happy time. On the downside…folks can have Stage IV melanoma with no symptoms…been there, done that. On the good side…have the biopsies done! That is a superficial process and will have no adverse effects on your pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy can have strange effects on existing nevi…but once they are gone they can't harm you. And actually, all nevi removed should be sent for pathology…no matter what they look like. You will probably learn you have nothing at all to worry about. But at the very least, you will know exactly what you were dealing with, make a specific plan of action, and be able to move forward rather than dealing with an abstract state of worry about the unknown. Breathe. Get your biopsy. Hang in there for you and yours. I wish you my best. Celeste
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- October 13, 2016 at 1:51 pm
So sorry you are dealing with this worry during such a happy time. On the downside…folks can have Stage IV melanoma with no symptoms…been there, done that. On the good side…have the biopsies done! That is a superficial process and will have no adverse effects on your pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy can have strange effects on existing nevi…but once they are gone they can't harm you. And actually, all nevi removed should be sent for pathology…no matter what they look like. You will probably learn you have nothing at all to worry about. But at the very least, you will know exactly what you were dealing with, make a specific plan of action, and be able to move forward rather than dealing with an abstract state of worry about the unknown. Breathe. Get your biopsy. Hang in there for you and yours. I wish you my best. Celeste
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Oh, yes I am definitely getting them done. My appointment is next week. It's that waiting that is so horrible, which you clearly know much about! You had stage IV with no symptoms? How were you diagnosed? Are you doing well? Thank you so much for your attentive response!
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Oh, yes I am definitely getting them done. My appointment is next week. It's that waiting that is so horrible, which you clearly know much about! You had stage IV with no symptoms? How were you diagnosed? Are you doing well? Thank you so much for your attentive response!
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Oh, yes I am definitely getting them done. My appointment is next week. It's that waiting that is so horrible, which you clearly know much about! You had stage IV with no symptoms? How were you diagnosed? Are you doing well? Thank you so much for your attentive response!
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Once a biopsy is done, how long does it usually take for the doctor to contact the patient with results, IF the tissue is malignant? Im just hoping this isn't a month long wait for answers, because I feel like I'll lose my mind first…
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Once a biopsy is done, how long does it usually take for the doctor to contact the patient with results, IF the tissue is malignant? Im just hoping this isn't a month long wait for answers, because I feel like I'll lose my mind first…
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- October 13, 2016 at 4:13 pm
It really shouldn't take more than a week to ten days (max!) for the results to get back to you. Of course it depends on whether the specimen has to be sent out to a distant lab, etc.
My story is long…Stage 3 in 2003 with a dark and ugly mole. Another in 2007. Stage IV in 2010 with brain and lung mets. Never felt bad. No signs or symptoms other than the nevi. But, there is no reason you would follow in my footsteps. However, I took Opdivo in a trial for 2 1/2 years from 2010 to 2013, and remain melanoma free to this day.
So, the good news for you is that you probably do not have melanoma at all. Next, should you ever need it…treatments are available today that did not exist as recently as 2010. celeste
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- October 13, 2016 at 4:13 pm
It really shouldn't take more than a week to ten days (max!) for the results to get back to you. Of course it depends on whether the specimen has to be sent out to a distant lab, etc.
My story is long…Stage 3 in 2003 with a dark and ugly mole. Another in 2007. Stage IV in 2010 with brain and lung mets. Never felt bad. No signs or symptoms other than the nevi. But, there is no reason you would follow in my footsteps. However, I took Opdivo in a trial for 2 1/2 years from 2010 to 2013, and remain melanoma free to this day.
So, the good news for you is that you probably do not have melanoma at all. Next, should you ever need it…treatments are available today that did not exist as recently as 2010. celeste
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- October 14, 2016 at 12:02 am
WOW, that is an incredible story! I'm so glad to hear you are cancer free! Thank you for sharing!
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- October 14, 2016 at 12:02 am
WOW, that is an incredible story! I'm so glad to hear you are cancer free! Thank you for sharing!
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- October 14, 2016 at 12:02 am
WOW, that is an incredible story! I'm so glad to hear you are cancer free! Thank you for sharing!
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- October 13, 2016 at 4:13 pm
It really shouldn't take more than a week to ten days (max!) for the results to get back to you. Of course it depends on whether the specimen has to be sent out to a distant lab, etc.
My story is long…Stage 3 in 2003 with a dark and ugly mole. Another in 2007. Stage IV in 2010 with brain and lung mets. Never felt bad. No signs or symptoms other than the nevi. But, there is no reason you would follow in my footsteps. However, I took Opdivo in a trial for 2 1/2 years from 2010 to 2013, and remain melanoma free to this day.
So, the good news for you is that you probably do not have melanoma at all. Next, should you ever need it…treatments are available today that did not exist as recently as 2010. celeste
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- October 13, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Once a biopsy is done, how long does it usually take for the doctor to contact the patient with results, IF the tissue is malignant? Im just hoping this isn't a month long wait for answers, because I feel like I'll lose my mind first…
-
- October 13, 2016 at 1:51 pm
So sorry you are dealing with this worry during such a happy time. On the downside…folks can have Stage IV melanoma with no symptoms…been there, done that. On the good side…have the biopsies done! That is a superficial process and will have no adverse effects on your pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy can have strange effects on existing nevi…but once they are gone they can't harm you. And actually, all nevi removed should be sent for pathology…no matter what they look like. You will probably learn you have nothing at all to worry about. But at the very least, you will know exactly what you were dealing with, make a specific plan of action, and be able to move forward rather than dealing with an abstract state of worry about the unknown. Breathe. Get your biopsy. Hang in there for you and yours. I wish you my best. Celeste
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- October 13, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Hi Michelle,
Sorry you have this worry. Mel is crazy unpredictable, but I think you should feel pretty confident that you and your growing family will be just fine. You are being smart and looking after yourself and that's good.
Lots of good info and support here if you need it, but I advise you minimize internet medical reading even here until after you get your biopsy results.
Blessings,
joyce
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- October 13, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Hi Michelle,
Sorry you have this worry. Mel is crazy unpredictable, but I think you should feel pretty confident that you and your growing family will be just fine. You are being smart and looking after yourself and that's good.
Lots of good info and support here if you need it, but I advise you minimize internet medical reading even here until after you get your biopsy results.
Blessings,
joyce
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- October 13, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Hi Michelle,
Sorry you have this worry. Mel is crazy unpredictable, but I think you should feel pretty confident that you and your growing family will be just fine. You are being smart and looking after yourself and that's good.
Lots of good info and support here if you need it, but I advise you minimize internet medical reading even here until after you get your biopsy results.
Blessings,
joyce
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- October 14, 2016 at 10:47 am
Hi
I htink you will be fine – you have no reason to believe you have melanoma, thousands of people get moles excised daily and only the tiniest percentage are melanoma. I wanted to caution you about those scanning systems with algorithms that result in a score – you would be better off with a good dermatologist as I've heard the algorithm is notoriously unreliable. You are in almost all likelihood fine, please don't panic, but I would consider getting a dermatologist and not relying on technologies with algorithms. Everything that 'comes off' is checked for malignancy, no matter how innocent or evil it looks. Most of the time there is no maligancy, so please don't stress. But find a better way of having your skin checked, please… for starters, you! Have a look once a month and take note if anything's changed. Changing things are worth getting checked. out.
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- October 14, 2016 at 10:47 am
Hi
I htink you will be fine – you have no reason to believe you have melanoma, thousands of people get moles excised daily and only the tiniest percentage are melanoma. I wanted to caution you about those scanning systems with algorithms that result in a score – you would be better off with a good dermatologist as I've heard the algorithm is notoriously unreliable. You are in almost all likelihood fine, please don't panic, but I would consider getting a dermatologist and not relying on technologies with algorithms. Everything that 'comes off' is checked for malignancy, no matter how innocent or evil it looks. Most of the time there is no maligancy, so please don't stress. But find a better way of having your skin checked, please… for starters, you! Have a look once a month and take note if anything's changed. Changing things are worth getting checked. out.
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- October 14, 2016 at 10:47 am
Hi
I htink you will be fine – you have no reason to believe you have melanoma, thousands of people get moles excised daily and only the tiniest percentage are melanoma. I wanted to caution you about those scanning systems with algorithms that result in a score – you would be better off with a good dermatologist as I've heard the algorithm is notoriously unreliable. You are in almost all likelihood fine, please don't panic, but I would consider getting a dermatologist and not relying on technologies with algorithms. Everything that 'comes off' is checked for malignancy, no matter how innocent or evil it looks. Most of the time there is no maligancy, so please don't stress. But find a better way of having your skin checked, please… for starters, you! Have a look once a month and take note if anything's changed. Changing things are worth getting checked. out.
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- October 14, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Thank you so much for your reply! Yes, I was wondering about the efficacy of this newish technology. Anything that generates numbers can't possibly be equal to the clinical judgement of a trained Derm. Though, my dermatologist was the one who did the scan. I was visually checked over by her a few weeks ago, and then she recommended the scan as a second screening tool. Is this a money making thing for practitioners to some degree, you think? I do try to keep an eye on things myself, but it's hard because I have SO MANY MOLES over my entire body. Most of them are small and flat and impossible to keep track of! I will definitely be more diligent going forward though. Thank you so much for your encouraging words and information! I sincerely appreciate everyone here taking the time to respond to me!
Michelle
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- October 14, 2016 at 9:41 pm
I think if its an adjunct to care – eg she uses first a visual check and then backs it up with some technology – I'd be ok with that. Just not the technology alone. When she does a visual check, does she use a dermatoscope (hand held magnifier/light thing?). If so then it's all good. Dodgy bedside manner though, 'check for malignancy'. More correct wording is: has some unusual features, remove and check as a precaution'. Small, flat moles are unlikely to be too much of a worry unless they CHANGE. Keep an eye out for change, maybe in your situation photography would be good? Even a few selfies that you check each few months?
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- October 14, 2016 at 9:41 pm
I think if its an adjunct to care – eg she uses first a visual check and then backs it up with some technology – I'd be ok with that. Just not the technology alone. When she does a visual check, does she use a dermatoscope (hand held magnifier/light thing?). If so then it's all good. Dodgy bedside manner though, 'check for malignancy'. More correct wording is: has some unusual features, remove and check as a precaution'. Small, flat moles are unlikely to be too much of a worry unless they CHANGE. Keep an eye out for change, maybe in your situation photography would be good? Even a few selfies that you check each few months?
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- October 14, 2016 at 9:41 pm
I think if its an adjunct to care – eg she uses first a visual check and then backs it up with some technology – I'd be ok with that. Just not the technology alone. When she does a visual check, does she use a dermatoscope (hand held magnifier/light thing?). If so then it's all good. Dodgy bedside manner though, 'check for malignancy'. More correct wording is: has some unusual features, remove and check as a precaution'. Small, flat moles are unlikely to be too much of a worry unless they CHANGE. Keep an eye out for change, maybe in your situation photography would be good? Even a few selfies that you check each few months?
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- October 14, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Thank you so much for your reply! Yes, I was wondering about the efficacy of this newish technology. Anything that generates numbers can't possibly be equal to the clinical judgement of a trained Derm. Though, my dermatologist was the one who did the scan. I was visually checked over by her a few weeks ago, and then she recommended the scan as a second screening tool. Is this a money making thing for practitioners to some degree, you think? I do try to keep an eye on things myself, but it's hard because I have SO MANY MOLES over my entire body. Most of them are small and flat and impossible to keep track of! I will definitely be more diligent going forward though. Thank you so much for your encouraging words and information! I sincerely appreciate everyone here taking the time to respond to me!
Michelle
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- October 14, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Thank you so much for your reply! Yes, I was wondering about the efficacy of this newish technology. Anything that generates numbers can't possibly be equal to the clinical judgement of a trained Derm. Though, my dermatologist was the one who did the scan. I was visually checked over by her a few weeks ago, and then she recommended the scan as a second screening tool. Is this a money making thing for practitioners to some degree, you think? I do try to keep an eye on things myself, but it's hard because I have SO MANY MOLES over my entire body. Most of them are small and flat and impossible to keep track of! I will definitely be more diligent going forward though. Thank you so much for your encouraging words and information! I sincerely appreciate everyone here taking the time to respond to me!
Michelle
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- October 19, 2016 at 3:05 pm
Hi Michelle,
I'm sorry I didn't write sooner….I meant to and would start and get distracted. I had a stage Ib melanoma removed shortly after my first pregnancy. All margins, biopsies, scans came back clear. Twenty weeks into my second pregnancy I found a lump in my groin. Long story short, my mel progressed. After my son was born I found out I was stage IV. (I'm now cancer free.)
Although I'd love to have 1-3 more, I won't – I can't take that risk for my two babies.
I've asked leading melanoma specialists if they think there is a correlation between pregnancy and the spread of melanoma – most have said no. My doctor, Isabella Glitza, believes there is a correlation (perhaps this is part of the reason I LOVE her….she agrees with my theory).
Knowing my history, here's what I'd tell anyone who has/is afraid of early stage melanoma:
I'm the (very small) minority. Live life. Be watchful. Be your own advocate if you have a concern.
Best of luck,
Ashley
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- October 19, 2016 at 3:05 pm
Hi Michelle,
I'm sorry I didn't write sooner….I meant to and would start and get distracted. I had a stage Ib melanoma removed shortly after my first pregnancy. All margins, biopsies, scans came back clear. Twenty weeks into my second pregnancy I found a lump in my groin. Long story short, my mel progressed. After my son was born I found out I was stage IV. (I'm now cancer free.)
Although I'd love to have 1-3 more, I won't – I can't take that risk for my two babies.
I've asked leading melanoma specialists if they think there is a correlation between pregnancy and the spread of melanoma – most have said no. My doctor, Isabella Glitza, believes there is a correlation (perhaps this is part of the reason I LOVE her….she agrees with my theory).
Knowing my history, here's what I'd tell anyone who has/is afraid of early stage melanoma:
I'm the (very small) minority. Live life. Be watchful. Be your own advocate if you have a concern.
Best of luck,
Ashley
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- October 19, 2016 at 3:05 pm
Hi Michelle,
I'm sorry I didn't write sooner….I meant to and would start and get distracted. I had a stage Ib melanoma removed shortly after my first pregnancy. All margins, biopsies, scans came back clear. Twenty weeks into my second pregnancy I found a lump in my groin. Long story short, my mel progressed. After my son was born I found out I was stage IV. (I'm now cancer free.)
Although I'd love to have 1-3 more, I won't – I can't take that risk for my two babies.
I've asked leading melanoma specialists if they think there is a correlation between pregnancy and the spread of melanoma – most have said no. My doctor, Isabella Glitza, believes there is a correlation (perhaps this is part of the reason I LOVE her….she agrees with my theory).
Knowing my history, here's what I'd tell anyone who has/is afraid of early stage melanoma:
I'm the (very small) minority. Live life. Be watchful. Be your own advocate if you have a concern.
Best of luck,
Ashley
Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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