› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Looking for some advice please.
- This topic has 12 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 13 years ago by
tiger01010.
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- September 7, 2012 at 1:20 pm
I noticed some moles on my torso and stomach the other day that looked odd to me. That led me to investigate a little about moles, and that eventually led me to this website. I read that I should investigate my entire body and look in places that are hard to see, like the back.
I noticed some moles on my torso and stomach the other day that looked odd to me. That led me to investigate a little about moles, and that eventually led me to this website. I read that I should investigate my entire body and look in places that are hard to see, like the back.
On my lower back is a mole. It is alarming to me because of its size. It measures 9mm in width. Using the ABCDE guidelines, I knew that if the mole is bigger than maybe 5 or 6 mm I should let a dermatologist look at it. The mole appeared to be pretty much symmetrical, clear borders, the color is brown throughout, and as far as elevation/evolving, it is elevated very slightly, and I have no idea if it's evolving since I have never even noticed it. My wife says she is 99% sure it has always been there. If that's the case, then I'm guessing it has grown in size, since I believe I would have noticed a 9-mm mole on my lower back; however, that isn't really logical on my part, since I cannot say for sure what the mole looked like in the past, and so have no idea it it's actually evolving.
I made an appointment with my dermatologist and saw him the next day. This was 2 days ago. I lifted up my shirt and he says, "That's a normal looking mole." Basically, nothing to worry about. Then he looked at my entire body, head to toe, and said all the moles he saw were normal. He said that none of my moles, including the one I am worried about, looks atypical.
He said the only reason he would advise excising it and doing a biopsy is because I'm worried about it. I asked him if he were to have this particular 9-mm mole on his own back, would he be wanting it excised from his own back, and he said no he wouldn't worry about it.
I asked about a punch biopsy. I don't know the exact name of what he said he would do for my mole, but he said he would not be doing a punch biopsy. What he described to me would be a big cut into the skin. He said it would leave a scar. Not worried that much about the scar, just trying to describe the procedure he would do on me if I decided that's what I want. Based on what I've read here and elsewhere, it doesnt make sense that he would be wanting to do a real big excision, but that's what he said he would do if I opted to have it biopsied.
I told him I wanted to think about it. I am worried about this mole based on the size of it. My dermatologist is not worried about this mole.
On one hand, I don't like the fact that I have a 9-mm diameter mole on my back. On the other hand, I have a 71-year-old respected dermatologist who has seen thousands of moles say, "That mole is normal." I do not want to do this procedure unless I really have to. The dermatologist says the mole is normal and that if I want it excised and biopsied it would just be for my piece of mind. He also said that he would not want it excised from his own back if it were him.
Here's my question: I have take pictures of this mole. Should I just mark this as the starting point to me doing regularly scheduled close monitoring and comparison of this mole and all the moles on my body? And then if this mole, or any other mole CHANGES, only then go back to the Dr. and get it exicised and biopsied?
Or
Should I definitely have this Dr. remove it and biopsy it SOLEY based on the fact that it's 9mm in diameter?
I would appreciate any advice that anyone could give me.
Thank you.
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- September 7, 2012 at 1:29 pm
I'd watch it for changes. Not all large moles are cancerous.
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- September 7, 2012 at 1:40 pm
I just said I would watch it for changes, but then I thought about it. Any time I had a mole removed, all I had to say was "take it off. I don't like that mole." Chances are it isn't cancer, but if it worries you, a shave doesn't leave that bad of a scar. I would be a little upset with a doctor who just refused. I've had large moles removed just because they rub on clothes and get sore. Dr removed them, no questions asked.
If it bothers you or worries you, find a dr to remove it.
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- September 7, 2012 at 1:40 pm
I just said I would watch it for changes, but then I thought about it. Any time I had a mole removed, all I had to say was "take it off. I don't like that mole." Chances are it isn't cancer, but if it worries you, a shave doesn't leave that bad of a scar. I would be a little upset with a doctor who just refused. I've had large moles removed just because they rub on clothes and get sore. Dr removed them, no questions asked.
If it bothers you or worries you, find a dr to remove it.
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- September 7, 2012 at 1:40 pm
I just said I would watch it for changes, but then I thought about it. Any time I had a mole removed, all I had to say was "take it off. I don't like that mole." Chances are it isn't cancer, but if it worries you, a shave doesn't leave that bad of a scar. I would be a little upset with a doctor who just refused. I've had large moles removed just because they rub on clothes and get sore. Dr removed them, no questions asked.
If it bothers you or worries you, find a dr to remove it.
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- September 7, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Take a photo of it. Close up with as much detail as you can see. Check it in the exact same lighting. Check it monthly. If it changes, remove it. If it isn't changing, there is really no reason to remove it. Most melanomas and atypical moles grow slowly so watching this for a period of time is typically fine.
A punch biopsy can't be done on a 9mm lesion – punches don't go that large. So the doctor would be doing an excisional biopsy to remove the entire lesion. It's minor surgery and you'll have a scar up to 2" long. They do it under local anesthesia. It's not a big deal.
Most moles are normal and fine. THe likelihood of this particular mole being sinister based on size alone is quite remote. Size is only one factor in the ABCD's. One factor doesn't really do it unless that factor is "evolving/changing". If it were me, I'd photograph and watch it. YOU have to do what makes YOU comfortable, not anyone else. Obviously, coming to a site like this, advice is biased. Everyone here has a reason to be here because there is a melanoma diagnosis. But that doesn't mean YOUR lesion is melanoma or even any type of atypical lesion. I've had 3 melanomas and change has been the determing factor for me – change over time.
Best wishes,
Janner -
- September 7, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Take a photo of it. Close up with as much detail as you can see. Check it in the exact same lighting. Check it monthly. If it changes, remove it. If it isn't changing, there is really no reason to remove it. Most melanomas and atypical moles grow slowly so watching this for a period of time is typically fine.
A punch biopsy can't be done on a 9mm lesion – punches don't go that large. So the doctor would be doing an excisional biopsy to remove the entire lesion. It's minor surgery and you'll have a scar up to 2" long. They do it under local anesthesia. It's not a big deal.
Most moles are normal and fine. THe likelihood of this particular mole being sinister based on size alone is quite remote. Size is only one factor in the ABCD's. One factor doesn't really do it unless that factor is "evolving/changing". If it were me, I'd photograph and watch it. YOU have to do what makes YOU comfortable, not anyone else. Obviously, coming to a site like this, advice is biased. Everyone here has a reason to be here because there is a melanoma diagnosis. But that doesn't mean YOUR lesion is melanoma or even any type of atypical lesion. I've had 3 melanomas and change has been the determing factor for me – change over time.
Best wishes,
Janner -
- September 7, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Take a photo of it. Close up with as much detail as you can see. Check it in the exact same lighting. Check it monthly. If it changes, remove it. If it isn't changing, there is really no reason to remove it. Most melanomas and atypical moles grow slowly so watching this for a period of time is typically fine.
A punch biopsy can't be done on a 9mm lesion – punches don't go that large. So the doctor would be doing an excisional biopsy to remove the entire lesion. It's minor surgery and you'll have a scar up to 2" long. They do it under local anesthesia. It's not a big deal.
Most moles are normal and fine. THe likelihood of this particular mole being sinister based on size alone is quite remote. Size is only one factor in the ABCD's. One factor doesn't really do it unless that factor is "evolving/changing". If it were me, I'd photograph and watch it. YOU have to do what makes YOU comfortable, not anyone else. Obviously, coming to a site like this, advice is biased. Everyone here has a reason to be here because there is a melanoma diagnosis. But that doesn't mean YOUR lesion is melanoma or even any type of atypical lesion. I've had 3 melanomas and change has been the determing factor for me – change over time.
Best wishes,
Janner -
- September 7, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Thank you for you advice everyone.
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- September 7, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Thank you for you advice everyone.
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- September 7, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Thank you for you advice everyone.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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