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Does this look like melanoma??!
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Does this look like melanoma??!

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Does this look like melanoma??!

  • Post
    • May 1, 2018 at 2:56 am
    Briannamln9
    Participant

      Hello everyone! About 3 days ago my knee started itching near a mole that has been there for several years. When I scratched it I realized it looked a lot different than it used to. It looks as though it is spreadjng and changing shape. I'm very worried it could be skin cancer as I have extremely fair skin and my mother had a history of skin cancer. I  would go to the doctor but recently changed jobs so I have to wait a certain amount of time before I am eligible for insurance. Can someone please let me Know what they think about this mole? Thank you so much 

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    • Replies
        • May 1, 2018 at 3:00 am
        Briannamln9
        Participant

          • May 1, 2018 at 3:01 am
          Briannamln9
          Participant
            • May 1, 2018 at 3:08 am
            Janner
            Participant

              No one here can diagnose by looking at a picture.  (To post a picture, you have to host it on a public site and link to it here).  Change and itching are both reasons to have a biopsy.  It doesn't have to be melanoma, but it is certainly something to have checked out given it is exhibiting change.  Please make an appointment so you can have it looked at as soon as you have insurance.  Most here would also recommend NOT having a shave biopsy.  Shave biopsies can lose important staging information if they bisect a lesion.  Punch or excisional biopsy are typically better for getting a full skin thickness biopsy when melanoma is a possibility.  Don't panic, but don't ignore either.

                • May 1, 2018 at 3:11 am
                Janner
                Participant

                  You were posting the links when I was replying.  First glance doesn't jump out and say melanoma – but as I said above, no one can diagnose from a picture.  When you see the derm, be sure to say you want a biopsy because it is itching and changing.

                  • May 1, 2018 at 5:07 pm
                  Briannamln9
                  Participant

                    Thank you so much for your response and advice! 

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