› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Non pigmented melanoma insitu
- This topic has 21 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by
Manlybeachmum.
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- February 9, 2016 at 8:52 am
Hi. I had a non pigmented melanoma Insitu in 2009. Initial punch biopsy returned a finding that it was a Nevis but had no cancer cells. The mole was removed and path determined it to be an ameloritic melanoma in situ. Margins of 5 were taken. I have a new 6 months non pigmented "growth" approx 6 cm from original site. It looks identical to the original. Pale pink.. I cannot get to see my specialist until Nov (her earliest app accord to receptionist). My question is, can Insitu melanoma recur near original site? Am I just over worrying?
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- February 9, 2016 at 12:35 pm
I have a question that may seem stupid to some. If it was melanoma in-situ…isn't that cancer? You said it showed no cancer cells. I'm so confused on the staging and line between melanoma in-situ or stage 0 (are they same thing)…and atypical moles and atypical melanocytic hyperplasia.
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- February 10, 2016 at 4:08 am
Melanoma in situ is stage 0. Some docs don't consider it really cancerous until it becomes invasive which would be at least stage 1. But for our purposes here, if they give you any stage, you are a melanoma warrior. Stage 0 means it is confined only to the epidermis. Since there are no blood vessels or lymph vessels in the epidermis, there is really no conduit for it to spread.
Atypical moles have either cellular atypia or architectural atypia or both. When there are enough atypical features and characteristics, it becomes melanoma. Basically, it is a matter of degrees between a severely atypical lesion and melanoma in situ – one reason they are both excised with the same margins. There is not a cut and dried criteria as each lesion is different. Pathology is an art as well as a science and that is why you want an experienced dermatopathologist reading your slides.
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- February 10, 2016 at 4:08 am
Melanoma in situ is stage 0. Some docs don't consider it really cancerous until it becomes invasive which would be at least stage 1. But for our purposes here, if they give you any stage, you are a melanoma warrior. Stage 0 means it is confined only to the epidermis. Since there are no blood vessels or lymph vessels in the epidermis, there is really no conduit for it to spread.
Atypical moles have either cellular atypia or architectural atypia or both. When there are enough atypical features and characteristics, it becomes melanoma. Basically, it is a matter of degrees between a severely atypical lesion and melanoma in situ – one reason they are both excised with the same margins. There is not a cut and dried criteria as each lesion is different. Pathology is an art as well as a science and that is why you want an experienced dermatopathologist reading your slides.
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- February 10, 2016 at 4:08 am
Melanoma in situ is stage 0. Some docs don't consider it really cancerous until it becomes invasive which would be at least stage 1. But for our purposes here, if they give you any stage, you are a melanoma warrior. Stage 0 means it is confined only to the epidermis. Since there are no blood vessels or lymph vessels in the epidermis, there is really no conduit for it to spread.
Atypical moles have either cellular atypia or architectural atypia or both. When there are enough atypical features and characteristics, it becomes melanoma. Basically, it is a matter of degrees between a severely atypical lesion and melanoma in situ – one reason they are both excised with the same margins. There is not a cut and dried criteria as each lesion is different. Pathology is an art as well as a science and that is why you want an experienced dermatopathologist reading your slides.
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- February 9, 2016 at 12:35 pm
I have a question that may seem stupid to some. If it was melanoma in-situ…isn't that cancer? You said it showed no cancer cells. I'm so confused on the staging and line between melanoma in-situ or stage 0 (are they same thing)…and atypical moles and atypical melanocytic hyperplasia.
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- February 9, 2016 at 12:35 pm
I have a question that may seem stupid to some. If it was melanoma in-situ…isn't that cancer? You said it showed no cancer cells. I'm so confused on the staging and line between melanoma in-situ or stage 0 (are they same thing)…and atypical moles and atypical melanocytic hyperplasia.
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- February 9, 2016 at 6:06 pm
November is a very long time. I would find a different derm to take a look at it, give them your history, and have them biopsy to be sure. I know with non pigmented they can't tell just from looking with the dermascope if it is of concern or not. Better to be safe, get it taken care of, could be nothing, but I wouldn't want to wait until November to find out. Is your derm a super awesome derm or something? I have never had any kind of specialist not have openings for 10 months.
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- February 9, 2016 at 6:06 pm
November is a very long time. I would find a different derm to take a look at it, give them your history, and have them biopsy to be sure. I know with non pigmented they can't tell just from looking with the dermascope if it is of concern or not. Better to be safe, get it taken care of, could be nothing, but I wouldn't want to wait until November to find out. Is your derm a super awesome derm or something? I have never had any kind of specialist not have openings for 10 months.
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- February 9, 2016 at 6:06 pm
November is a very long time. I would find a different derm to take a look at it, give them your history, and have them biopsy to be sure. I know with non pigmented they can't tell just from looking with the dermascope if it is of concern or not. Better to be safe, get it taken care of, could be nothing, but I wouldn't want to wait until November to find out. Is your derm a super awesome derm or something? I have never had any kind of specialist not have openings for 10 months.
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- February 10, 2016 at 3:57 am
Unlikely it is a recurrence but it could happen. Probably more likely that it would be a totally independent lesion. It could be melanoma but a new "primary" site, not a recurrence. So, if it looks like your other primary and is an "ugly duckling" (not like your other moles), then I'd have it removed…. And before November. I know it's hard to get into busy derm's schedules, but waiting that long isn't realistic. You could ask your PCP if they could do a biopsy or call another derm.
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- February 10, 2016 at 3:57 am
Unlikely it is a recurrence but it could happen. Probably more likely that it would be a totally independent lesion. It could be melanoma but a new "primary" site, not a recurrence. So, if it looks like your other primary and is an "ugly duckling" (not like your other moles), then I'd have it removed…. And before November. I know it's hard to get into busy derm's schedules, but waiting that long isn't realistic. You could ask your PCP if they could do a biopsy or call another derm.
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- February 10, 2016 at 3:57 am
Unlikely it is a recurrence but it could happen. Probably more likely that it would be a totally independent lesion. It could be melanoma but a new "primary" site, not a recurrence. So, if it looks like your other primary and is an "ugly duckling" (not like your other moles), then I'd have it removed…. And before November. I know it's hard to get into busy derm's schedules, but waiting that long isn't realistic. You could ask your PCP if they could do a biopsy or call another derm.
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- February 11, 2016 at 1:51 am
Soon after my initial diagnosis I realized I wanted a new derm. I was told by the scheduler at the new derms office it would take several months. That was just not acceptable to me and I had to be somewhat dramatic (stressing that my melanoma diagnosis form the first derm was a serious potentially life threatening condition. After several calls they managed to squeeze me in.
Dont be afraid to self advocate!
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- February 11, 2016 at 1:51 am
Soon after my initial diagnosis I realized I wanted a new derm. I was told by the scheduler at the new derms office it would take several months. That was just not acceptable to me and I had to be somewhat dramatic (stressing that my melanoma diagnosis form the first derm was a serious potentially life threatening condition. After several calls they managed to squeeze me in.
Dont be afraid to self advocate!
-
- February 11, 2016 at 1:51 am
Soon after my initial diagnosis I realized I wanted a new derm. I was told by the scheduler at the new derms office it would take several months. That was just not acceptable to me and I had to be somewhat dramatic (stressing that my melanoma diagnosis form the first derm was a serious potentially life threatening condition. After several calls they managed to squeeze me in.
Dont be afraid to self advocate!
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- February 11, 2016 at 3:55 pm
If you have a history of melanoma at any stage and you call your dermatologist and tell them you're worried that a new spot might be melanoma, they should by all means work you in asap. My dermatologist's office is extremely busy and difficult to get an appointment with, but they understand how dangerous melanoma is and the importance of catching it early. I'm stage 1B (diagnosed a little over a year ago) and they work me in anytime I call and say I think I've found a new spot. You should consider finding a new dermatologist, or at the very least, call and tell them you're concerned about melanoma and insist they work you in. You must be your own advocate.
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- February 11, 2016 at 3:55 pm
If you have a history of melanoma at any stage and you call your dermatologist and tell them you're worried that a new spot might be melanoma, they should by all means work you in asap. My dermatologist's office is extremely busy and difficult to get an appointment with, but they understand how dangerous melanoma is and the importance of catching it early. I'm stage 1B (diagnosed a little over a year ago) and they work me in anytime I call and say I think I've found a new spot. You should consider finding a new dermatologist, or at the very least, call and tell them you're concerned about melanoma and insist they work you in. You must be your own advocate.
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- June 28, 2016 at 8:22 am
I had a very tiny pale pink, perfectly shaped circle punch biopsied in late 2012. Pathology came back as a Nevis (mole) WITHOUT any cancer cells.. My doctor recommended it be removed as "you have all the moles you will have by the time you are 30". Pathology came back that is was a non pigmented melanoma Insitu. A wide excision was performed.
Fast forward 3 years and I found another one that looked exactly like the first, close to the scar. I couldn't get in to see my specialist so had my GP look at it. He said it was nothing to be concerned about.
i just had spec look at it 7 months later and it's definitely a new mole. Removal scheduled for next week.
Most likely nothing, but IF you are worried. Insist on seeing a specialist. Hence their name!
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- June 28, 2016 at 8:22 am
I had a very tiny pale pink, perfectly shaped circle punch biopsied in late 2012. Pathology came back as a Nevis (mole) WITHOUT any cancer cells.. My doctor recommended it be removed as "you have all the moles you will have by the time you are 30". Pathology came back that is was a non pigmented melanoma Insitu. A wide excision was performed.
Fast forward 3 years and I found another one that looked exactly like the first, close to the scar. I couldn't get in to see my specialist so had my GP look at it. He said it was nothing to be concerned about.
i just had spec look at it 7 months later and it's definitely a new mole. Removal scheduled for next week.
Most likely nothing, but IF you are worried. Insist on seeing a specialist. Hence their name!
-
- June 28, 2016 at 8:22 am
I had a very tiny pale pink, perfectly shaped circle punch biopsied in late 2012. Pathology came back as a Nevis (mole) WITHOUT any cancer cells.. My doctor recommended it be removed as "you have all the moles you will have by the time you are 30". Pathology came back that is was a non pigmented melanoma Insitu. A wide excision was performed.
Fast forward 3 years and I found another one that looked exactly like the first, close to the scar. I couldn't get in to see my specialist so had my GP look at it. He said it was nothing to be concerned about.
i just had spec look at it 7 months later and it's definitely a new mole. Removal scheduled for next week.
Most likely nothing, but IF you are worried. Insist on seeing a specialist. Hence their name!
-
- February 11, 2016 at 3:55 pm
If you have a history of melanoma at any stage and you call your dermatologist and tell them you're worried that a new spot might be melanoma, they should by all means work you in asap. My dermatologist's office is extremely busy and difficult to get an appointment with, but they understand how dangerous melanoma is and the importance of catching it early. I'm stage 1B (diagnosed a little over a year ago) and they work me in anytime I call and say I think I've found a new spot. You should consider finding a new dermatologist, or at the very least, call and tell them you're concerned about melanoma and insist they work you in. You must be your own advocate.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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