I’m afraid !!!

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

Post

- August 21, 2019 at 8:11 am
- Quote
bobrenard
Participant
Hello everyone.

I registered today to have information and raised doubts about a lesion that I have on the arm.
I am 38 years old french living in Paris.
I have a few years (about 3 years I think) a lesion that looks like a spot, 5mm and pink.
A little worried, in August 2018 I went to see a dermatologist who did not seem worried by this lesion. In order to be sure of his diagnosis, I went to see a second dermatologist who , using a dermatoscope, validated the diagnosis of the first dermatologist. For him, nothing alarming and no need to remove this lesion.
This lesion never changed in size or color.
However, this lesion looks nothing like the moles that I can have on the body.
Regularly, I measure it and observe no change.
About a week ago after running, I realized that this lesion was scratched on top.
I had previously read that a lesion that did not waren could be a sign of melanoma.
I started to be very worried. On this lesion, a crust was formed and I read that it was the sign of an ulceration !!
I then urgently made an appointment with a new dermatologist.
Meanwhile, two days ago, the crust fell and the scratch completely healed. The spot has found its state before. No color change, no change in size.
Yesterday, I went to my appointment with the dermatologist who after a complete oscultation, think it should remove this lesion for analysis.
So I have to go in 10 days to undergo the exeresis.

Independently of the fact that I am very worried by the analysis of this lesion, I would like to know if a melanoma-type lesion that would have been scratched can heal ?
In addition, a melanoma-type lesion may not evolve (grow or change color) for several years?
The dermatologist that I saw yesterday, told me that it could be a dermatofibrom or a naveus of sptiz, and that it is better to make sure of it.

Thank you for reading me.

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Replies

- - August 21, 2019 at 11:25 am
  - Quote
  SABKLYN
  Participant
  Hello Bob,
  Most people on this board will tell you there is a broad range in appearance and behavior of skin lesions and the best thing to do to be certain is to have the excision and biopsy. Benign moles and other growths will also heal to its previous state, so this would not be a way to determine the type of lesion. Your current dermatologist is following the most prudent path. I would also make sure that your dermatologist remove the lesion by excisional rather than a shave biopsy. Good luck, Bob. Let us know when you receive your results.
  
  Regards,
  
  Stan
  - August 21, 2019 at 1:46 pm
    
    Quote
    Suzana65
    Participant
    
    Hi Bob,
    Please don’t get too scared before you know anything. Fear plays terrible games with our mind. From what I hear your dermatologists are not overly worried.
  - August 21, 2019 at 2:26 pm
    
    Quote
    bobrenard
    Participant
    
    Thank you for your answers. I cross my fingers so that it is benign.
    The questions I ask myself are:
    
    My lesion, which looks like an achromic nodular melanoma, has been on my arm for about 3 years. Since then, I have not noticed a change in the size and color of this lesion.
    
    Would a melanoma-like lesion have evolved for so long?
    
    Thank you for your answers.
- - August 21, 2019 at 2:18 pm
  - Quote
  Ellie_82
  Participant
  Hi Bob, let’s look at the facts here:
  1. The lesion has not changed for many years
  2. You have 2 dermatologists who reassured you that it was benign
  3. Moles/spots can get scratched just like normal skin would, especially if they are raised. Melanoma usually would keep ulcerating, it wouldn’t heal
  
  From what I can tell, the totality of evidence points strongly that your lesion is benign. But you have it removed soon anyway, so you will know for sure. But for now, no need to worry. Peace!
- - August 24, 2019 at 4:32 pm
  - Quote
  MelanomaMike
  Participant
  bienvenu!! (welcome) to MRF, Im sorry for the frightning news of “possible” skin disease, but Not necessarly Melanoma, we hope not!!….
  Not to scare you, i had “1” lesion so far that was Not a mole type on the “surface” of my skin on my left leg “shin” area that resembled a Wart, a viral Wart, looked just like that but, it wasnt, biopsy results came back Melanoma. I have had only “1” so far since 2008 that started as a quote Mole and that was my very first Melanoma (called first Primary) it was a mole, turned from light brown to dark to black then “raised” up like a wart, crusty, dry, cracked & chapped & sensitive to!!…..
  As youll learn, like folks here at MRF already said to you, Melanoma can have many Faces, its cunning, evasive & very sneaky, Melanoma can hide behind trees & evades CT & PET scans, it disquises as something else til a good Pathologist catches it in the act! Haha….keep us informed Bobrenard…