Does melanoma keep changing?

This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 9 months ago by Swanee.

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- July 31, 2017 at 4:51 pm
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Girlfromohio
Participant
I have several (ok, more like a dozen) moles that my primary care doctor pointed out, saying they should be removed. I know they have been there for at least 5-10 years and they haven't changed. (I'm 32).

Should I really have ALL of these removed? Would melanoma be continuously changing over time, or does it reach a point where it IS cancer, but it stops changing?

Would you remove them all?

thank you!

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- - July 31, 2017 at 9:10 pm
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  Oldwife
  Participant
  Our primary doc was the one who immediately sent my husband to the surgeon, and good thing he did! Ask for a referral to a dermatologist asap, and if he/she concurrs, by all means get those moles off. You want a dermatologist who works with melanoma especially, if you can find one. Please don't mess around or wait with this if your primary doctor thinks they are suspicious. Denial and 'waiting to see if they change more' are not good options. Please let us know the results?
- - July 31, 2017 at 10:11 pm
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  Ridingaroundwith27Jennifers
  Participant
  Definitely have these checked. If it is something it's better to deal with it before it progresses too far. Melanoma is aggresssive so don't wait.
- - July 31, 2017 at 11:41 pm
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  Janner
  Participant
  If they haven't changed in 5-10 years, pretty unlikely to be anything concerning. Take photos. Watch for change. If any itch or bother you, take those off. Most PCP aren't the best at identifying melanoma – one study showed they missed melanoma 73% of the time. If you are concerned, see a derm.
  
  I've had 3 melanoma primaries and I ONLY remove lesions that show change. I monitor with photos. You do what YOU think is good for you but before you undergo a lot of biopsies, I'd suggest seeing a dermatologist.
  - July 31, 2017 at 11:56 pm
    
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    Girlfromohio
    Participant
    
    Thanks for the reply. I did make an appointment with a dermatologist on Sept. 12th. (Earliest available). I guess looking for reassurance that if there hasn't been a change in over 5 years.., will an extra 5 weeks make a difference?!?
  - August 1, 2017 at 3:04 am
    
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    Janner
    Participant
    
    If it were me and I hadn't seen changes in 5 years, then I wouldn't stress 5 weeks at all. I'm not an alarmist, though. If it changes, then it's gone. If it's stable, it stays. That's all I live by and it's worked for me for 25 years now. You need to do what works best for YOU!
  - August 1, 2017 at 3:41 am
    
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    Swanee
    Participant
    
    Janner's advice is good! My family doctor told me I had a blood blister and it turned out it was melanoma that I ignored upon his advice:( five years later showing up as sub cutaneous melanomas throughout my trunk! You must be with a good dermatologist that shows interest in melanoma. The first dermatologist I had still misdiaganosed it, which delayed it even further! If you are not satisfied with their response and/or don't feel your questions are being answered adequately, move on or ask that it be biopsied! It can be a tricky world out there with melanoma because so many GP's are not trained and they are usually the first line that we are directed to and if you don't have a clue (like me:( you trust their direction or delay your response, and in my area it takes another 3 months to get in for an appt!