In Situ Melanoma – follow up screening
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In Situ Melanoma – follow up screening

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › In Situ Melanoma – follow up screening

  • Post
    • October 19, 2012 at 4:53 pm
    lilahs
    Participant

      A few months ago, I posted about having in situ melanoma and whether to have the 2nd WLE.  I had the 2nd WLE and everything went well and more important, now I have reassurance. 🙂

      A few months ago, I posted about having in situ melanoma and whether to have the 2nd WLE.  I had the 2nd WLE and everything went well and more important, now I have reassurance. 🙂

      I have read about digital skin imaging and how moles can be monitored (measured) to see if they have changed.  I asked my dermatologist if I should have this done and he said it wasn’t necessary.  He said that we would be able to see any changes during the exam every 3 months.  My doctor also uses a dermatoscope to look at any suspicious moles.  My question is whether I should consider having digital skin imaging.  I would like to be cautious, but at the same time I don’t need to go overboard.  What does everyone else do for follow ups?

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    • Replies
        • October 19, 2012 at 7:54 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          How many moles do you have?  The mole mapping procedure is mostly designed for those with dysplastic nevus syndrome.  These folks may have hundreds of atypical looking moles.  If you have lots of moles, that's the way to go.  If you have 20-30 moles, then you can probably monitor those yourself.  I have a baseline set of photos I use for comparison.  I probably monitor less than 30 moles overall.  If something looks a bit wonky to me, I just pull out the photos and do a quick compare.  The photos keep my imagination in check.

          Janner

          (3 MM primaries, stage I since 1992)

          • October 19, 2012 at 7:54 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            How many moles do you have?  The mole mapping procedure is mostly designed for those with dysplastic nevus syndrome.  These folks may have hundreds of atypical looking moles.  If you have lots of moles, that's the way to go.  If you have 20-30 moles, then you can probably monitor those yourself.  I have a baseline set of photos I use for comparison.  I probably monitor less than 30 moles overall.  If something looks a bit wonky to me, I just pull out the photos and do a quick compare.  The photos keep my imagination in check.

            Janner

            (3 MM primaries, stage I since 1992)

            • October 19, 2012 at 7:54 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              How many moles do you have?  The mole mapping procedure is mostly designed for those with dysplastic nevus syndrome.  These folks may have hundreds of atypical looking moles.  If you have lots of moles, that's the way to go.  If you have 20-30 moles, then you can probably monitor those yourself.  I have a baseline set of photos I use for comparison.  I probably monitor less than 30 moles overall.  If something looks a bit wonky to me, I just pull out the photos and do a quick compare.  The photos keep my imagination in check.

              Janner

              (3 MM primaries, stage I since 1992)

                • October 26, 2012 at 1:06 am
                lilahs
                Participant
                  I have around 50 or so moles, some are so small that I’m not sure they count…. Are these baseline photos ones that you have taken yourself? My doctor recommended taking my own pictures to use for comparison.
                  • October 26, 2012 at 1:06 am
                  lilahs
                  Participant
                    I have around 50 or so moles, some are so small that I’m not sure they count…. Are these baseline photos ones that you have taken yourself? My doctor recommended taking my own pictures to use for comparison.
                    • October 26, 2012 at 1:06 am
                    lilahs
                    Participant
                      I have around 50 or so moles, some are so small that I’m not sure they count…. Are these baseline photos ones that you have taken yourself? My doctor recommended taking my own pictures to use for comparison.
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