Advice?

Unfortunately like many people, their diagnosis comes out of the blue, as it did for me. I have hundreds of moles on me, and this winter I got about 5 of them removed, and all were determined to be fine, no cancer, no step below cancer, etc, and went on my merry way.

Then all a sudden in May 2011, I started getting headaches, til June 22, when I finally went to the ER after having blurry vision for 2 weeks and horrible headaches.

Well, I was then diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic….2 spots in my brain (one the size of a HUGE ORANGE, and a quarter size one), 1 spot in Lung & 2 spots in my Liver. All this grew within about 4-6 months inside me they said, I just can't believe this came out of nowwhere, no warning, nothing, went from Stage 0, nothing, to Stage IV.

I'm 31 years old, so pretty young when it comes to this disease, I've seen others around the same age & younger, most with Stage 1 thru 3…. it's just very shocking to get such a horrible cancer so young.

Now it's onto treatment, and hoping that I can be one of the few to survive years & years and make my way thru life with my 2 young children.

Unfortunately like many people, their diagnosis comes out of the blue, as it did for me. I have hundreds of moles on me, and this winter I got about 5 of them removed, and all were determined to be fine, no cancer, no step below cancer, etc, and went on my merry way.

Then all a sudden in May 2011, I started getting headaches, til June 22, when I finally went to the ER after having blurry vision for 2 weeks and horrible headaches.

Well, I was then diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic….2 spots in my brain (one the size of a HUGE ORANGE, and a quarter size one), 1 spot in Lung & 2 spots in my Liver. All this grew within about 4-6 months inside me they said, I just can't believe this came out of nowwhere, no warning, nothing, went from Stage 0, nothing, to Stage IV.

I'm 31 years old, so pretty young when it comes to this disease, I've seen others around the same age & younger, most with Stage 1 thru 3…. it's just very shocking to get such a horrible cancer so young.

Now it's onto treatment, and hoping that I can be one of the few to survive years & years and make my way thru life with my 2 young children.

I have similar fears. I have been seeing a dermatologist fairly regularly since college, and never had any problems. Of the few moles ever removed for testing, one suspicious (for who know shwat- it was 10 years ago) came back OK. Now I am taking care of dad with stage 4 and stressing myself out, never knowing I needed to report moles that itched, cracked, or bled, including new ones that are other wise small and benign-looking.

I would be curious of the advice you get in response, and I'm sorry I don't really have any myself.

I have similar fears. I have been seeing a dermatologist fairly regularly since college, and never had any problems. Of the few moles ever removed for testing, one suspicious (for who know shwat- it was 10 years ago) came back OK. Now I am taking care of dad with stage 4 and stressing myself out, never knowing I needed to report moles that itched, cracked, or bled, including new ones that are other wise small and benign-looking.

I would be curious of the advice you get in response, and I'm sorry I don't really have any myself.

You're ahead of the game because you at least KNOW about melanoma.  Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome (DNS) is hard, but it isn't a guarantee you'll get melanoma.  The best thing to do is what you're already doing, it seems.  Comparison photos.  Pay attention to your moles and anything that really bugs you – have it removed.  Over time, you'll get a better feel for things, I suspect.  You're still looking for the changing ugly duckling which is different from others.  Moles that fade (regression) are generally considered fine as long as they weren't suspicious prior to their fading.  It's good to get multiple eyes on your moles, but I personally rely on my gut feeling and my photos more than any doctor.  (I've had 3 primaries but do not have DNS). 

Best wishes,

Janner

You're ahead of the game because you at least KNOW about melanoma.  Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome (DNS) is hard, but it isn't a guarantee you'll get melanoma.  The best thing to do is what you're already doing, it seems.  Comparison photos.  Pay attention to your moles and anything that really bugs you – have it removed.  Over time, you'll get a better feel for things, I suspect.  You're still looking for the changing ugly duckling which is different from others.  Moles that fade (regression) are generally considered fine as long as they weren't suspicious prior to their fading.  It's good to get multiple eyes on your moles, but I personally rely on my gut feeling and my photos more than any doctor.  (I've had 3 primaries but do not have DNS). 

Best wishes,

Janner

Hi,

it seems to me as if you would better get a melanoma than be scared of it appearing. Ok, it`s harsh to say that, but to me it seems to be true. I totally agree that it`s so much more better that you at least know about such thing as melanoma. But my advice is – don`t live in such fear all the time and trust your derms. I cannot believe that 2 derms would make one mistake twice.

good luck and don`t worry!

Hi,

it seems to me as if you would better get a melanoma than be scared of it appearing. Ok, it`s harsh to say that, but to me it seems to be true. I totally agree that it`s so much more better that you at least know about such thing as melanoma. But my advice is – don`t live in such fear all the time and trust your derms. I cannot believe that 2 derms would make one mistake twice.

good luck and don`t worry!

I don't like the ABCD guides for determiing melanoma.  Going by them I don't have melanoma.  Going by them my wife must have a few hundrd melanoma's.  I cannot even get her to make an appoointment with a dermatologist!

    CHANGE is the main criteria I see as important for moles and spots on the skin.  As Janner says, take photos and have a ruler in many of them.  If there is strong itching or bleeding ask for their removal and get a pathoogy report on the rmoved  item.

I don't like the ABCD guides for determiing melanoma.  Going by them I don't have melanoma.  Going by them my wife must have a few hundrd melanoma's.  I cannot even get her to make an appoointment with a dermatologist!

    CHANGE is the main criteria I see as important for moles and spots on the skin.  As Janner says, take photos and have a ruler in many of them.  If there is strong itching or bleeding ask for their removal and get a pathoogy report on the rmoved  item.