› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Concerned
- This topic has 30 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 10 months ago by
lmhl.
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- June 29, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Concerned might be too light a term.
A little about me, I’m 47 years old, male, with very pale skin, blue eyes, and blonde hair.
When i was a child my hair was so light it almost looked white.
Needless to say I had several very severe sunburns by the time I hit my teens. At that time I became aware of the risks of sunburns and have never been outside without a shirt since.Fast forward to my thirties and I find a lump under the skin of my right thigh. Doctor says it a fatty deposit and leaves it at that.
Keeping in mind that I was raised to not complain about health issues and not be a hypochondriac, I felt a change in a mole on my upper back but thought nothing of.
Ten years later I find a scab a little lower than the first mole. Again impossible to see the area properly I peal the scab off. Guess what? The scab keeps reforming.
That area is now a jagged irregular mole that looks the same as the first one.
Last year I noticed a lump on my side under the skin over my lower ribs. Again thought nothing of it. Just another fatty lump. I did notice that I had pain under that area when I bent over, like a bruised rib. Again thought nothing of it. I had three shoulder surgeries over the last couple of years and had gained quite a bit of weight from being sedentary and just thought it was caused be that weight gain.
Couple of years ago my wife noticed that the original mole on my upper back was flaking. Middle of winter and I had some dry skin so again thought nothing of it.
Since the first lump by my ribs I have since developed three more on my torso and one in the thigh on my left leg.
Last week I was with my GP checking out the scars from the shoulder surgeries as they are developing keloid scars which is odd as all previous scars have always healed perfectly.
I decide, more like remember, to ask about the moles on my back. He takes one look and all he says is “oh my”.
He immediately sends a referral to a dermatologist. This being Canada there is a wait involved. Can’t see the dermatologist till july 19th.
Strange thing is that the dermatologists office called that day and said I am on top of the waiting list for any spots that open up due to cancellations.Sorry for being so long winded.
Just how concerned should I be? Normally I don’t worry too much about health issues as the odds are always in my favour but as I’ve been reading many pieces are starting to come together.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t freaking out.
- Replies
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- June 29, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Any mole that bleeds and scabs should be of concern. If I had any lumps I would ask for a biopsy. It is in the hands of your dermatologist now. When my dermatologist found my Melanoma my biopsy results were provided to me in 2 days and I had a visit with a surgical oncologist the following day. I had surgery and and a SLND within two weeks after a CT scan of neck and upper torso. SLND was positive and had full PET and MRI of brain and liver within a week and then surgery to remove lymph nodes the following week. Placed in a clinical trial for IPI and NIVO within 90 days.
Do what you can to work fast. Canadian Socialized medicine is great until you need fast action. Push for speed of treatment.
Tom
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- June 29, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Any mole that bleeds and scabs should be of concern. If I had any lumps I would ask for a biopsy. It is in the hands of your dermatologist now. When my dermatologist found my Melanoma my biopsy results were provided to me in 2 days and I had a visit with a surgical oncologist the following day. I had surgery and and a SLND within two weeks after a CT scan of neck and upper torso. SLND was positive and had full PET and MRI of brain and liver within a week and then surgery to remove lymph nodes the following week. Placed in a clinical trial for IPI and NIVO within 90 days.
Do what you can to work fast. Canadian Socialized medicine is great until you need fast action. Push for speed of treatment.
Tom
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- June 29, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Any mole that bleeds and scabs should be of concern. If I had any lumps I would ask for a biopsy. It is in the hands of your dermatologist now. When my dermatologist found my Melanoma my biopsy results were provided to me in 2 days and I had a visit with a surgical oncologist the following day. I had surgery and and a SLND within two weeks after a CT scan of neck and upper torso. SLND was positive and had full PET and MRI of brain and liver within a week and then surgery to remove lymph nodes the following week. Placed in a clinical trial for IPI and NIVO within 90 days.
Do what you can to work fast. Canadian Socialized medicine is great until you need fast action. Push for speed of treatment.
Tom
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Thanks for your reply.
I found two more lumps this morning.
One each at the top of the thigh near the groin. One a little bigger than a pea and the other the size of a grape.
They might be lymph nodes, but how would I know. -
- June 29, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Thanks for your reply.
I found two more lumps this morning.
One each at the top of the thigh near the groin. One a little bigger than a pea and the other the size of a grape.
They might be lymph nodes, but how would I know. -
- June 29, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Thanks for your reply.
I found two more lumps this morning.
One each at the top of the thigh near the groin. One a little bigger than a pea and the other the size of a grape.
They might be lymph nodes, but how would I know. -
- June 30, 2016 at 10:23 am
Speaking about Canadian socialized medicine…..just curious what people's experiences have been? What is the usual vs best practice time line for diagnosis and treatment of melanoma? If there is a highly suspicious mole/lesion for melanoma how long is the normal wait time to have a biopsy done? Once positive biopsy, how long before you get an appointment with an oncologist for a plan of care? Once positive sentinal lymph node, how long before treatment is started? Are there guidelines/standards of care? If not, should there be so everyone coming into this experience know what to expect?
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- June 30, 2016 at 10:23 am
Speaking about Canadian socialized medicine…..just curious what people's experiences have been? What is the usual vs best practice time line for diagnosis and treatment of melanoma? If there is a highly suspicious mole/lesion for melanoma how long is the normal wait time to have a biopsy done? Once positive biopsy, how long before you get an appointment with an oncologist for a plan of care? Once positive sentinal lymph node, how long before treatment is started? Are there guidelines/standards of care? If not, should there be so everyone coming into this experience know what to expect?
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- June 30, 2016 at 10:23 am
Speaking about Canadian socialized medicine…..just curious what people's experiences have been? What is the usual vs best practice time line for diagnosis and treatment of melanoma? If there is a highly suspicious mole/lesion for melanoma how long is the normal wait time to have a biopsy done? Once positive biopsy, how long before you get an appointment with an oncologist for a plan of care? Once positive sentinal lymph node, how long before treatment is started? Are there guidelines/standards of care? If not, should there be so everyone coming into this experience know what to expect?
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Hi Casey,
I think you're right to be concerned, though i'm certainly not an expert and I'm not even the one with mel. You've got your appointment now and are at the top of the list for any cancellations, so right now you've done all you can. I know it'll be hard to wait but try not to dwell on your lumps and bumps.
Like you, I'm also Canadian. We're finding that treatment here varies province to province – whereabouts are you? Having said that, nearly everything available in the US is available here too but all under "clinical trial" which means that trial protocols will dictate.
There is so much hope though – so many new and very effective treatments. Everyday I'm on this board and there seems to be more and more postings of "NED" news – I applaud those people for letting the rest of us know. It gives me strength, courage and lots of hope.
Just about all on here are undergoing treatment and I'm sure many more will answer you with their words of advice and experiences.
Please do report on the outcome of your appointment. I wish you the best and will hold good thoughts for you!! Take care.
Barb
(Ontario)
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Hi Casey,
I think you're right to be concerned, though i'm certainly not an expert and I'm not even the one with mel. You've got your appointment now and are at the top of the list for any cancellations, so right now you've done all you can. I know it'll be hard to wait but try not to dwell on your lumps and bumps.
Like you, I'm also Canadian. We're finding that treatment here varies province to province – whereabouts are you? Having said that, nearly everything available in the US is available here too but all under "clinical trial" which means that trial protocols will dictate.
There is so much hope though – so many new and very effective treatments. Everyday I'm on this board and there seems to be more and more postings of "NED" news – I applaud those people for letting the rest of us know. It gives me strength, courage and lots of hope.
Just about all on here are undergoing treatment and I'm sure many more will answer you with their words of advice and experiences.
Please do report on the outcome of your appointment. I wish you the best and will hold good thoughts for you!! Take care.
Barb
(Ontario)
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Hi Casey,
I think you're right to be concerned, though i'm certainly not an expert and I'm not even the one with mel. You've got your appointment now and are at the top of the list for any cancellations, so right now you've done all you can. I know it'll be hard to wait but try not to dwell on your lumps and bumps.
Like you, I'm also Canadian. We're finding that treatment here varies province to province – whereabouts are you? Having said that, nearly everything available in the US is available here too but all under "clinical trial" which means that trial protocols will dictate.
There is so much hope though – so many new and very effective treatments. Everyday I'm on this board and there seems to be more and more postings of "NED" news – I applaud those people for letting the rest of us know. It gives me strength, courage and lots of hope.
Just about all on here are undergoing treatment and I'm sure many more will answer you with their words of advice and experiences.
Please do report on the outcome of your appointment. I wish you the best and will hold good thoughts for you!! Take care.
Barb
(Ontario)
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Thanks Barb.
I’m an hour north of Regina. And wouldn’t you know it my GP is on holidays the next three weeks.
I’ll have to wait and try not to dwell on it.
Hard to do, it’s all I can think about. -
- June 29, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Thanks Barb.
I’m an hour north of Regina. And wouldn’t you know it my GP is on holidays the next three weeks.
I’ll have to wait and try not to dwell on it.
Hard to do, it’s all I can think about. -
- June 29, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Thanks Barb.
I’m an hour north of Regina. And wouldn’t you know it my GP is on holidays the next three weeks.
I’ll have to wait and try not to dwell on it.
Hard to do, it’s all I can think about. -
- June 29, 2016 at 5:39 pm
OK, so, if your biopsy results are not good, you'll definitely be treated in Regina. It appears there are only two cancer centres in the province but Sask looks to be more proactive than ON in referring to other provinces or stateside.
Again, hang in there, have a bit of faith, hope for the best and if you're really fretting, don't be afraid to reach out. You can contact me privately by email any time – I won't mind and will welcome the chance to help if I can 🙂
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:39 pm
OK, so, if your biopsy results are not good, you'll definitely be treated in Regina. It appears there are only two cancer centres in the province but Sask looks to be more proactive than ON in referring to other provinces or stateside.
Again, hang in there, have a bit of faith, hope for the best and if you're really fretting, don't be afraid to reach out. You can contact me privately by email any time – I won't mind and will welcome the chance to help if I can 🙂
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:39 pm
OK, so, if your biopsy results are not good, you'll definitely be treated in Regina. It appears there are only two cancer centres in the province but Sask looks to be more proactive than ON in referring to other provinces or stateside.
Again, hang in there, have a bit of faith, hope for the best and if you're really fretting, don't be afraid to reach out. You can contact me privately by email any time – I won't mind and will welcome the chance to help if I can 🙂
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm
PS to that. There are many melanoma specialists here. If your moles are mel, you'll be referred to an oncologist – just ask them if that's their specialty or do a bit of research and you'll find out. If they are not a mel specialist, definitely ask for one.
Best,
Barb
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm
PS to that. There are many melanoma specialists here. If your moles are mel, you'll be referred to an oncologist – just ask them if that's their specialty or do a bit of research and you'll find out. If they are not a mel specialist, definitely ask for one.
Best,
Barb
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm
PS to that. There are many melanoma specialists here. If your moles are mel, you'll be referred to an oncologist – just ask them if that's their specialty or do a bit of research and you'll find out. If they are not a mel specialist, definitely ask for one.
Best,
Barb
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm
The lumps are probably lipomas – fat tumors – which are VERY common. Probably not related to anything else. Never say never but "lumping" these things all together may be reading too many things into the equation. Yes melanoma can form lumps under the skin but so can lipomas.
The changing mole, however, is of more concern. No one can diagnose from just looking or from a description only. All we can suggest is that you have it biopsied. Most of us here do not recommend having a shave biopsy. Shave biopsies can slice through a lesion and compromise some staging if they don't go deep enough. (Docs like shaves, quick to do and requires no stitches or followup). We typically recommend either a punch or excisional biopsy.
This doesn't have to be melanoma, but it's time not to ignore this any longer. Get the biopsy. Get a copy of the pathology report when it is done. THEN you'll know if this is anything of concern and then is the time we can be more helpful if this were to be melanoma. (Fingers crossed it isn't)!
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- June 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm
The lumps are probably lipomas – fat tumors – which are VERY common. Probably not related to anything else. Never say never but "lumping" these things all together may be reading too many things into the equation. Yes melanoma can form lumps under the skin but so can lipomas.
The changing mole, however, is of more concern. No one can diagnose from just looking or from a description only. All we can suggest is that you have it biopsied. Most of us here do not recommend having a shave biopsy. Shave biopsies can slice through a lesion and compromise some staging if they don't go deep enough. (Docs like shaves, quick to do and requires no stitches or followup). We typically recommend either a punch or excisional biopsy.
This doesn't have to be melanoma, but it's time not to ignore this any longer. Get the biopsy. Get a copy of the pathology report when it is done. THEN you'll know if this is anything of concern and then is the time we can be more helpful if this were to be melanoma. (Fingers crossed it isn't)!
-
- June 29, 2016 at 5:27 pm
The lumps are probably lipomas – fat tumors – which are VERY common. Probably not related to anything else. Never say never but "lumping" these things all together may be reading too many things into the equation. Yes melanoma can form lumps under the skin but so can lipomas.
The changing mole, however, is of more concern. No one can diagnose from just looking or from a description only. All we can suggest is that you have it biopsied. Most of us here do not recommend having a shave biopsy. Shave biopsies can slice through a lesion and compromise some staging if they don't go deep enough. (Docs like shaves, quick to do and requires no stitches or followup). We typically recommend either a punch or excisional biopsy.
This doesn't have to be melanoma, but it's time not to ignore this any longer. Get the biopsy. Get a copy of the pathology report when it is done. THEN you'll know if this is anything of concern and then is the time we can be more helpful if this were to be melanoma. (Fingers crossed it isn't)!
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- June 30, 2016 at 9:07 am
Hi
My first disclaimer: no-one – not you, not your doctor, not us, not your derm – can diagnose that mole without a biopsy/pathology report. So your doctor saying 'oh my' was just sloppy – he/she cannot diagnose by sight, and neither can the dermatologist. He/she was wrong to leave you with fear and uncertainty. Forget melanoma, keep your derm appointment as a precaution but don't worry about melanoma until you actually are diagnosed with it (and you are a long way off that point). I think you are mentally stringing together unrelated symptoms, and this is most likely giving you unfounded worry.
My suggestion, however, would be to get those lumps checked/biopsied – it is not normal to pop out multiple lipomas, they might be symptomatic of something else in which case waiting for a dermatology appointment is useless. If it is symptomatic of something else it certainly won't be a dermatology thing, more likely a systemic thing. Get those lumps checked out by your doctor – biopsied, most likely – because they are making you anxious.
In my view cancery lumps would grow fast and grow chaotically – nothing you have described suggests that, so just get these two things (one being a funny mole, two being weird lumps) checked out separately and get yourself some peace of mind. Don't make connections where most likely no correlation or connection exists.
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- June 30, 2016 at 9:07 am
Hi
My first disclaimer: no-one – not you, not your doctor, not us, not your derm – can diagnose that mole without a biopsy/pathology report. So your doctor saying 'oh my' was just sloppy – he/she cannot diagnose by sight, and neither can the dermatologist. He/she was wrong to leave you with fear and uncertainty. Forget melanoma, keep your derm appointment as a precaution but don't worry about melanoma until you actually are diagnosed with it (and you are a long way off that point). I think you are mentally stringing together unrelated symptoms, and this is most likely giving you unfounded worry.
My suggestion, however, would be to get those lumps checked/biopsied – it is not normal to pop out multiple lipomas, they might be symptomatic of something else in which case waiting for a dermatology appointment is useless. If it is symptomatic of something else it certainly won't be a dermatology thing, more likely a systemic thing. Get those lumps checked out by your doctor – biopsied, most likely – because they are making you anxious.
In my view cancery lumps would grow fast and grow chaotically – nothing you have described suggests that, so just get these two things (one being a funny mole, two being weird lumps) checked out separately and get yourself some peace of mind. Don't make connections where most likely no correlation or connection exists.
-
- June 30, 2016 at 9:07 am
Hi
My first disclaimer: no-one – not you, not your doctor, not us, not your derm – can diagnose that mole without a biopsy/pathology report. So your doctor saying 'oh my' was just sloppy – he/she cannot diagnose by sight, and neither can the dermatologist. He/she was wrong to leave you with fear and uncertainty. Forget melanoma, keep your derm appointment as a precaution but don't worry about melanoma until you actually are diagnosed with it (and you are a long way off that point). I think you are mentally stringing together unrelated symptoms, and this is most likely giving you unfounded worry.
My suggestion, however, would be to get those lumps checked/biopsied – it is not normal to pop out multiple lipomas, they might be symptomatic of something else in which case waiting for a dermatology appointment is useless. If it is symptomatic of something else it certainly won't be a dermatology thing, more likely a systemic thing. Get those lumps checked out by your doctor – biopsied, most likely – because they are making you anxious.
In my view cancery lumps would grow fast and grow chaotically – nothing you have described suggests that, so just get these two things (one being a funny mole, two being weird lumps) checked out separately and get yourself some peace of mind. Don't make connections where most likely no correlation or connection exists.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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