Mother was told she has Melanoma

Hello, Donna…………..I'm Charlie.  Though i am sure it is quite difficult for you to travell the unknown with your mother, there are a few things you should know so you can speak with intelligence with her, and to her doctors  

You should also be forwarned that I speak candidly..

First off, "the bad kind of skin cancer: is a rookie doctor diagnosis and without foundation……………and I am being generous.

 No where in medical definitions is there a "bad kind of cancer" diagnosis.for any type or kind of cancer.

Yes, you and your mother should be somewhat alarmed with a diagnosis of melanoma, but in reading your post, the derm SAID it was melanoma; which is a far cry from diagnosis, which is yet to be confirmed..

So, step back, someone saying melanoma and confirming melanoma through pathology are two different things.

Here is what you do…………..if your Mom had something whacked off, get a copy of the path report of what was whacked off and get back to us.

Sorry, but your derm is full of shit to say it is "the bad" by visual exam.  Only a pathologist can determine what it is.

I DO understand your concern though and am not berating you……………..but really, at this point you are overly alarmed and need some more science.

Cheers,

Charlie S

Hello, Donna…………..I'm Charlie.  Though i am sure it is quite difficult for you to travell the unknown with your mother, there are a few things you should know so you can speak with intelligence with her, and to her doctors  

You should also be forwarned that I speak candidly..

First off, "the bad kind of skin cancer: is a rookie doctor diagnosis and without foundation……………and I am being generous.

 No where in medical definitions is there a "bad kind of cancer" diagnosis.for any type or kind of cancer.

Yes, you and your mother should be somewhat alarmed with a diagnosis of melanoma, but in reading your post, the derm SAID it was melanoma; which is a far cry from diagnosis, which is yet to be confirmed..

So, step back, someone saying melanoma and confirming melanoma through pathology are two different things.

Here is what you do…………..if your Mom had something whacked off, get a copy of the path report of what was whacked off and get back to us.

Sorry, but your derm is full of shit to say it is "the bad" by visual exam.  Only a pathologist can determine what it is.

I DO understand your concern though and am not berating you……………..but really, at this point you are overly alarmed and need some more science.

Cheers,

Charlie S

Hello, Donna…………..I'm Charlie.  Though i am sure it is quite difficult for you to travell the unknown with your mother, there are a few things you should know so you can speak with intelligence with her, and to her doctors  

You should also be forwarned that I speak candidly..

First off, "the bad kind of skin cancer: is a rookie doctor diagnosis and without foundation……………and I am being generous.

 No where in medical definitions is there a "bad kind of cancer" diagnosis.for any type or kind of cancer.

Yes, you and your mother should be somewhat alarmed with a diagnosis of melanoma, but in reading your post, the derm SAID it was melanoma; which is a far cry from diagnosis, which is yet to be confirmed..

So, step back, someone saying melanoma and confirming melanoma through pathology are two different things.

Here is what you do…………..if your Mom had something whacked off, get a copy of the path report of what was whacked off and get back to us.

Sorry, but your derm is full of shit to say it is "the bad" by visual exam.  Only a pathologist can determine what it is.

I DO understand your concern though and am not berating you……………..but really, at this point you are overly alarmed and need some more science.

Cheers,

Charlie S

Donna,

Sorry to hear your story.  Charlie is absolutely right.  From your post it does not sound like the dermatologist has gotten the result of the biopsy yet so she can't say for sure it is Melanoma.  Even if it is Melanoma, depending on the depth the prognosis may be optimistic.  Please get a copy of the pathology report and post it. 

I think Janner can answer your question best regarding whether or not it is hereditary.  Usually not though.

Mary

Stage 3

Donna,

Sorry to hear your story.  Charlie is absolutely right.  From your post it does not sound like the dermatologist has gotten the result of the biopsy yet so she can't say for sure it is Melanoma.  Even if it is Melanoma, depending on the depth the prognosis may be optimistic.  Please get a copy of the pathology report and post it. 

I think Janner can answer your question best regarding whether or not it is hereditary.  Usually not though.

Mary

Stage 3

Donna,

Sorry to hear your story.  Charlie is absolutely right.  From your post it does not sound like the dermatologist has gotten the result of the biopsy yet so she can't say for sure it is Melanoma.  Even if it is Melanoma, depending on the depth the prognosis may be optimistic.  Please get a copy of the pathology report and post it. 

I think Janner can answer your question best regarding whether or not it is hereditary.  Usually not though.

Mary

Stage 3

Hi Donna,

It is easier said than done, but try not to worry too much until you get an official diagnosis from pathology. Sometimes spots that look like melanoma are not, and some that don't look like melanoma do turn out to be melanoma. Truly, only pathology can tell you. A derm, although highly educated and correct in many instances, can only speculate. Even if it is melanoma, it could still be early stage. Get a copy of the pathology report and post it here so we can comment.

In regards to it being hereditary, yes it can. I think the percentage of hereditary cases is fairly low though. I go to MD Anderson and was told that because I am a 3rd generation melanoma patient (my uncle and grandma both had it) that mine is highly likely hereditary and they don't feel the need to test me to confirm it. And in all reality, confirming it doesn't do anything for you. Everyone should be cautious. And if you have a family history, be extra vigilent. Your risk is higher. But knowing it is hereditary for you doesn't change anything once diagnosed.

Best wishes to you. Keep us posted and come back with questions and pathology report if she is diagnosed.

Hi Donna,

It is easier said than done, but try not to worry too much until you get an official diagnosis from pathology. Sometimes spots that look like melanoma are not, and some that don't look like melanoma do turn out to be melanoma. Truly, only pathology can tell you. A derm, although highly educated and correct in many instances, can only speculate. Even if it is melanoma, it could still be early stage. Get a copy of the pathology report and post it here so we can comment.

In regards to it being hereditary, yes it can. I think the percentage of hereditary cases is fairly low though. I go to MD Anderson and was told that because I am a 3rd generation melanoma patient (my uncle and grandma both had it) that mine is highly likely hereditary and they don't feel the need to test me to confirm it. And in all reality, confirming it doesn't do anything for you. Everyone should be cautious. And if you have a family history, be extra vigilent. Your risk is higher. But knowing it is hereditary for you doesn't change anything once diagnosed.

Best wishes to you. Keep us posted and come back with questions and pathology report if she is diagnosed.

Hi Donna,

It is easier said than done, but try not to worry too much until you get an official diagnosis from pathology. Sometimes spots that look like melanoma are not, and some that don't look like melanoma do turn out to be melanoma. Truly, only pathology can tell you. A derm, although highly educated and correct in many instances, can only speculate. Even if it is melanoma, it could still be early stage. Get a copy of the pathology report and post it here so we can comment.

In regards to it being hereditary, yes it can. I think the percentage of hereditary cases is fairly low though. I go to MD Anderson and was told that because I am a 3rd generation melanoma patient (my uncle and grandma both had it) that mine is highly likely hereditary and they don't feel the need to test me to confirm it. And in all reality, confirming it doesn't do anything for you. Everyone should be cautious. And if you have a family history, be extra vigilent. Your risk is higher. But knowing it is hereditary for you doesn't change anything once diagnosed.

Best wishes to you. Keep us posted and come back with questions and pathology report if she is diagnosed.

Donna,

I feel for you care-takers…it is a hard job, stressful, emotional, and demanding. You not only have to help you loved one but often you can be their best advocate. I think she needs that from you.

There are doctors at the top of their class and doctors at the bottom – sadly it is not posted. Walk away. Get the path report and all the biopsy reports that have been done and make sure it wasn't that same dr. who did the path report (my first derm did this…not good) and walk away. Don't look back.

Now find a dr. who can answer all the stat questions, can tell you how biopsies should be done, can tell you treatments and where the specialists in your area are. quiz the dr. with info you already have the answers for…so you know that he is on top of this. and a GOOD derm will know where all the BEST derms are.

You can do this – sorry you have this new junk job but no one loves you like your mother, i am glad you are loving her back! best wishes

Donna,

I feel for you care-takers…it is a hard job, stressful, emotional, and demanding. You not only have to help you loved one but often you can be their best advocate. I think she needs that from you.

There are doctors at the top of their class and doctors at the bottom – sadly it is not posted. Walk away. Get the path report and all the biopsy reports that have been done and make sure it wasn't that same dr. who did the path report (my first derm did this…not good) and walk away. Don't look back.

Now find a dr. who can answer all the stat questions, can tell you how biopsies should be done, can tell you treatments and where the specialists in your area are. quiz the dr. with info you already have the answers for…so you know that he is on top of this. and a GOOD derm will know where all the BEST derms are.

You can do this – sorry you have this new junk job but no one loves you like your mother, i am glad you are loving her back! best wishes

Donna,

I feel for you care-takers…it is a hard job, stressful, emotional, and demanding. You not only have to help you loved one but often you can be their best advocate. I think she needs that from you.

There are doctors at the top of their class and doctors at the bottom – sadly it is not posted. Walk away. Get the path report and all the biopsy reports that have been done and make sure it wasn't that same dr. who did the path report (my first derm did this…not good) and walk away. Don't look back.

Now find a dr. who can answer all the stat questions, can tell you how biopsies should be done, can tell you treatments and where the specialists in your area are. quiz the dr. with info you already have the answers for…so you know that he is on top of this. and a GOOD derm will know where all the BEST derms are.

You can do this – sorry you have this new junk job but no one loves you like your mother, i am glad you are loving her back! best wishes