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Lumps and bumps under skin
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Lumps and bumps under skin

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Lumps and bumps under skin

  • Post
    • May 12, 2018 at 2:21 am
    lwhaley94
    Participant

      Hi, first time poster here.  I was diagnosed with melanoma on my scalp in September.  Results of lymph nodes were clear, no evidence of spreading.  Stage 1b.  Great news!

      I have lumps under the skin on my arms for a long time and I worry that they are melanoma recurring.  I have received lots of information about what kind of moles to look for, but not much on what to "feel" for.  Any advice?  Is it my primary care doctor that I should be asking about this?  My dermatologist just looks at the surface, she doesn't feel anything.

      I know I have had good news and I am very thankful, but I am cognizant of the possibility of spreading inside and wondering if these lumps could be something.

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    • Replies
        • May 12, 2018 at 4:58 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          The likelihood that lumps and bumps under the skin on your arms is related to a scalp melanoma isn't high.  If your original primary had been on your wrist, then yes they would be concerning.  The lymph vessels flow UP from the fingers to the armpit.  So you are unlikely to get spread DOWN the arm from a lesion anywhere else on your body.  Now if you had advanced melanoma that was spreading via blood vessels to all your organs and such, anything is possible.  But nodules on your arm would most likely not be the first thing you noticed.  Something as simple as lipomas (benign fat tumors) are more likely.  For you, checking the lymph nodes in your neck where the SNB was done would be the area to check most as well as the area near the original tumor.  Ask your derm where to prod and what do watch for.

          As with anything, if you are concerned, see your doc.

            • May 13, 2018 at 6:53 am
            lwhaley94
            Participant

              Thank you!

              • May 13, 2018 at 7:58 pm
              Sharon93065
              Participant

                I agree that they could be lipomas,  I just had one taken off of my back.  But a good old fahioned physical with your regular GP, (make sure you get chest x-ray, that's how they found mine had spread) to make sure you are healthy.  

              • May 15, 2018 at 2:01 am
              Ridingaroundwith27Jennifers
              Participant

                I don't want to rain on your parade but please have them checked.  I had a primary on my back and then subcutaneous nodules on my stomach 10 years later and it was most certainly metastatic melanoma.  Best to have it checked and have them tell you it's nothing than to wait too long.

                Good wishes to you.

                Jennifer

                • May 29, 2018 at 5:14 am
                lwhaley94
                Participant

                  Update:  I went to my regular doc (not dermatologist) and she said they were lipomas.  She told me the more likely place to look for spreading would be in my lymph nodes in my neck.

                  It's just so hard to not constantly feel/look for evidence of spreading!!!!!

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