Elongated painless lump on side of head above ear
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Elongated painless lump on side of head above ear

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Elongated painless lump on side of head above ear

  • Post
    • September 15, 2011 at 10:23 pm
    Scarlette
    Participant

      I was diagnosed 2006 with .55, clark's level 2, with lateral and deep margins involved.  Upper left arm.   About a month ago I noticed a lump on the left side of my head above my ear. It is completely painless.  I was visiting my rheumatologist today (rheumatoid arthritis) and showed it to him.  He said it is large, at least 1 cm and that he thought I should have it biopsied.  I called my derm. and will see her Wednesday morning.  Any thoughts?  Similar situations?

      I was diagnosed 2006 with .55, clark's level 2, with lateral and deep margins involved.  Upper left arm.   About a month ago I noticed a lump on the left side of my head above my ear. It is completely painless.  I was visiting my rheumatologist today (rheumatoid arthritis) and showed it to him.  He said it is large, at least 1 cm and that he thought I should have it biopsied.  I called my derm. and will see her Wednesday morning.  Any thoughts?  Similar situations?

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    • Replies
        • September 15, 2011 at 11:43 pm
        dian in spokane
        Participant

          I agree with your rhemumtolgist.

          For what it's worth, my subcutaneous tumors were completely painless. And I also have a deep, large lipoma which is entirely painless. I'm sure there are other things that it could be as well. a cyst maybe. Is it round?

          You are only going to know by getting it checked. Ask your derm if you should be referred to a surgical oncologist for the biopsy. Other diagnostic tests might be valuable as well.

          Good luck! I hope it is something harmless!

          dian in spokane

          • September 15, 2011 at 11:43 pm
          dian in spokane
          Participant

            I agree with your rhemumtolgist.

            For what it's worth, my subcutaneous tumors were completely painless. And I also have a deep, large lipoma which is entirely painless. I'm sure there are other things that it could be as well. a cyst maybe. Is it round?

            You are only going to know by getting it checked. Ask your derm if you should be referred to a surgical oncologist for the biopsy. Other diagnostic tests might be valuable as well.

            Good luck! I hope it is something harmless!

            dian in spokane

            • September 16, 2011 at 3:30 am
            DonW
            Participant

              I had a 1.2mm melanoma on the back of my neck. On a checkup, my doc (an ocological surgeon) found a small lump behind my ear. I had it biopsied and it was negative. I definitely would have it checked and probably removed for biopsy. You probably should be followed by a melanoma specialist as well as the derm anyway. Once you are diagnosed with melanoma it's always a good idea to be treated at a melanoma center by melanoma specialists. I've given this advice many times on here (too many, some say), but I still see situations like this where it seems you have not been followed by someone who is a specialist in melanoma.

              • September 16, 2011 at 3:30 am
              DonW
              Participant

                I had a 1.2mm melanoma on the back of my neck. On a checkup, my doc (an ocological surgeon) found a small lump behind my ear. I had it biopsied and it was negative. I definitely would have it checked and probably removed for biopsy. You probably should be followed by a melanoma specialist as well as the derm anyway. Once you are diagnosed with melanoma it's always a good idea to be treated at a melanoma center by melanoma specialists. I've given this advice many times on here (too many, some say), but I still see situations like this where it seems you have not been followed by someone who is a specialist in melanoma.

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