Need help with new diagnoses
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Need help with new diagnoses

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Need help with new diagnoses

  • Post
    • June 17, 2013 at 6:14 pm
    Sasha
    Participant

      Hi All,

       

      Hi All,

       

      I haven't been to this Board in years!  I'm 39 years old and have a history of two melanoma insitus and one melanoma Stage 1a.  I have been cancer free for about ten years now.  I had a new place on my back just below my neck and wasn't sure what it was.  It was a colorless bump about the size of a pencil eraser on my skin that just recently started bleeding a little and became very tender!  I saw my doctor last Wednesday and she told me at the time she thought it was another melanoma.  She examined me and I had a couple of swollen lymph nodes in my neck.  She asked if I had been sick recently and I told her but I have been running a fever of around 101.5.

      Anyway….the biopsy came back as "Invasive, well-differentiated, squamous cell carcinoma; with features of Keratoacanthoma."  I'm thinking that is good, right?  I'm suppost to go back on Thursday to have a WLE.  She said that further test weren't needed becuase this cancer is not likely to spreadsheet.  Does anyone have expenience with this type of cancer?  Am I doing my due dilligence by just having a wide lesion excision?     I'm

      I appreciate any input you may have.  Thanks!

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • June 18, 2013 at 2:18 pm
        hbecker
        Participant

          Hi Sasha,

             There's a big difference between squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Squamous cell skin cancer will grow if you don't have them excised, and they can spread laterally under the skin so that they are bigger underneath than they appear on top – so yes, you definitely need that. But there's no expectation that they will spread through the lymphatic system the way melanoms do.

             Your swollen glands are probably related to whatever made your temperature go up. If it's still elevated you might want to see your primary care practitioner – but I don't think you need to worry about those glands being related to your cancer.

             Relax – get your mind ready to heal your surgery site, and be grateful that it's not another melanoma!

          Best regeards —

          Hazel

          • June 18, 2013 at 2:18 pm
          hbecker
          Participant

            Hi Sasha,

               There's a big difference between squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Squamous cell skin cancer will grow if you don't have them excised, and they can spread laterally under the skin so that they are bigger underneath than they appear on top – so yes, you definitely need that. But there's no expectation that they will spread through the lymphatic system the way melanoms do.

               Your swollen glands are probably related to whatever made your temperature go up. If it's still elevated you might want to see your primary care practitioner – but I don't think you need to worry about those glands being related to your cancer.

               Relax – get your mind ready to heal your surgery site, and be grateful that it's not another melanoma!

            Best regeards —

            Hazel

            • June 18, 2013 at 2:18 pm
            hbecker
            Participant

              Hi Sasha,

                 There's a big difference between squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Squamous cell skin cancer will grow if you don't have them excised, and they can spread laterally under the skin so that they are bigger underneath than they appear on top – so yes, you definitely need that. But there's no expectation that they will spread through the lymphatic system the way melanoms do.

                 Your swollen glands are probably related to whatever made your temperature go up. If it's still elevated you might want to see your primary care practitioner – but I don't think you need to worry about those glands being related to your cancer.

                 Relax – get your mind ready to heal your surgery site, and be grateful that it's not another melanoma!

              Best regeards —

              Hazel

          Viewing 2 reply threads

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