› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Question about stage IV Melanoma.
- This topic has 27 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by
DZnDef.
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- June 5, 2016 at 9:27 am
I have had a hard mole on my head for at least 4-5 years. It is red and is probably 1/4 of my index fingernail in size. It is hard, and has been since I remember it. If that mole were to progress to stage IV would it take less time than 4 years? Also, would the mole increase in size if it was nodular melanoma. It has never increased in size, or colour but very recently it did scab a bit because I rubbed it pretty much consistently for about 3 days.I should also point out it has had an almost identical friend about an inch away on my head for the same amount of time.
So main question is would nodular melanoma definitely grow in some noticable way before it killed you? I ask because I have been having some pretty heavy systemic symptoms. Such as orange urine, lumps all over rib cage and weight loss.
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- June 5, 2016 at 12:14 pm
I have seen two doctors, beginning about 7 weeks ago. I’ve probably been back around 12 times in that period. I had a brain MRI, and in addition to that the only thing that has been scheduled (non urgently) is an ultrasound on my right rib cage as some balls had formed there. Since that appointment they have popped up all over my ribs and my stomach. Also had a urine dip test 2 days ago. My urine was bright orange.The GPs have seen all my moles and said none of them are concerning and neither are my lymph nodes even though they acknowledge them being there.
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- June 5, 2016 at 12:14 pm
I have seen two doctors, beginning about 7 weeks ago. I’ve probably been back around 12 times in that period. I had a brain MRI, and in addition to that the only thing that has been scheduled (non urgently) is an ultrasound on my right rib cage as some balls had formed there. Since that appointment they have popped up all over my ribs and my stomach. Also had a urine dip test 2 days ago. My urine was bright orange.The GPs have seen all my moles and said none of them are concerning and neither are my lymph nodes even though they acknowledge them being there.
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- June 5, 2016 at 12:14 pm
I have seen two doctors, beginning about 7 weeks ago. I’ve probably been back around 12 times in that period. I had a brain MRI, and in addition to that the only thing that has been scheduled (non urgently) is an ultrasound on my right rib cage as some balls had formed there. Since that appointment they have popped up all over my ribs and my stomach. Also had a urine dip test 2 days ago. My urine was bright orange.The GPs have seen all my moles and said none of them are concerning and neither are my lymph nodes even though they acknowledge them being there.
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- June 5, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Should also add that to has felt my liver countless times and said it isn’t enlarged or nodular.. -
- June 5, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Should also add that to has felt my liver countless times and said it isn’t enlarged or nodular.. -
- June 5, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Should also add that to has felt my liver countless times and said it isn’t enlarged or nodular..
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- June 5, 2016 at 2:28 pm
You have zero evidence that your mole is a melanoma. You have seen doctors. They have examined you. They do not think the moles are abnormal, or they would have referred you to an dermatologist.
Your doctors are supporting you in trying to find a cause of your variety of symptoms. They have tested your urine when it was an odd colour. They gave you a brain MRI, which I believe was because you were having headaches. They have scheduled an ultrasound scan to investigate the lumps on your ridcage.
All the best with your quest to find out what is wrong.
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- June 5, 2016 at 2:28 pm
You have zero evidence that your mole is a melanoma. You have seen doctors. They have examined you. They do not think the moles are abnormal, or they would have referred you to an dermatologist.
Your doctors are supporting you in trying to find a cause of your variety of symptoms. They have tested your urine when it was an odd colour. They gave you a brain MRI, which I believe was because you were having headaches. They have scheduled an ultrasound scan to investigate the lumps on your ridcage.
All the best with your quest to find out what is wrong.
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- June 5, 2016 at 2:28 pm
You have zero evidence that your mole is a melanoma. You have seen doctors. They have examined you. They do not think the moles are abnormal, or they would have referred you to an dermatologist.
Your doctors are supporting you in trying to find a cause of your variety of symptoms. They have tested your urine when it was an odd colour. They gave you a brain MRI, which I believe was because you were having headaches. They have scheduled an ultrasound scan to investigate the lumps on your ridcage.
All the best with your quest to find out what is wrong.
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- June 6, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Thank you for your response Moira,
I understand where you are coming from in terms of this. I have seen two seperate GP's at my surgery, who I had not seen for about 6 years prior. I'm scheduling counselling sessions to deal with my panic/anxiety.
Unfortunately, I'm not a doctor but for the last 6-7 weeks I have read about every possible symptom of Melanoma and each new 'tangible' one I have, I can't explain away. I have mentioned everything to my doctor that I have been experiencing. I had a normal blood test about 6 weeks ago, and my brain MRI was about 3 weeks (ish) ago. My main symptoms have all been related to my liver function and the balls on my rib cage, which appear to be growing slightly and only started on the right side, now they are on both. I also lost about a stone and a half, and went quite thin but recently have started to bloat quite a lot with shortness of breath.
The moles on my head are honestly about 1-2mm and hard. One of them fell off this week. The one thing that made me suspicious about my doctor is the fact that he said 'if you had cancer your lymph nodes would be massive'. Whereas I thought any unexplained Lympapathody should be biopsied? Whereas they have both flat out refused a biospy despite them acknowledged that my nodes are hard and raised.
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- June 6, 2016 at 4:14 pm
I think your problem is that you have "read about every possible symptom of Melanoma". The other day, I got a test result saying my calcium levels were low. I looked up the symptoms of low calcium and started thinking 'I have that; and 'I have that'. I had the test redone. It was an artefact. My calcium levels are fine.
You insistence that what is wrong with you is melanoma, when your moles look in no way abnormal, is standing in your way of finding out what is wrong with you.
The ultrasound is a good idea. In Germany they moniter lymph nodes by ultrasound rather than CT scans. When I had an enlarged lymph node behind my ear, they sent me to the ultrasound expert who would hve biopsied it if it was necessary but by the time I got to the appointment it had gone down.
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- June 6, 2016 at 4:14 pm
I think your problem is that you have "read about every possible symptom of Melanoma". The other day, I got a test result saying my calcium levels were low. I looked up the symptoms of low calcium and started thinking 'I have that; and 'I have that'. I had the test redone. It was an artefact. My calcium levels are fine.
You insistence that what is wrong with you is melanoma, when your moles look in no way abnormal, is standing in your way of finding out what is wrong with you.
The ultrasound is a good idea. In Germany they moniter lymph nodes by ultrasound rather than CT scans. When I had an enlarged lymph node behind my ear, they sent me to the ultrasound expert who would hve biopsied it if it was necessary but by the time I got to the appointment it had gone down.
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- June 6, 2016 at 4:14 pm
I think your problem is that you have "read about every possible symptom of Melanoma". The other day, I got a test result saying my calcium levels were low. I looked up the symptoms of low calcium and started thinking 'I have that; and 'I have that'. I had the test redone. It was an artefact. My calcium levels are fine.
You insistence that what is wrong with you is melanoma, when your moles look in no way abnormal, is standing in your way of finding out what is wrong with you.
The ultrasound is a good idea. In Germany they moniter lymph nodes by ultrasound rather than CT scans. When I had an enlarged lymph node behind my ear, they sent me to the ultrasound expert who would hve biopsied it if it was necessary but by the time I got to the appointment it had gone down.
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- June 6, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Thank you for your response Moira,
I understand where you are coming from in terms of this. I have seen two seperate GP's at my surgery, who I had not seen for about 6 years prior. I'm scheduling counselling sessions to deal with my panic/anxiety.
Unfortunately, I'm not a doctor but for the last 6-7 weeks I have read about every possible symptom of Melanoma and each new 'tangible' one I have, I can't explain away. I have mentioned everything to my doctor that I have been experiencing. I had a normal blood test about 6 weeks ago, and my brain MRI was about 3 weeks (ish) ago. My main symptoms have all been related to my liver function and the balls on my rib cage, which appear to be growing slightly and only started on the right side, now they are on both. I also lost about a stone and a half, and went quite thin but recently have started to bloat quite a lot with shortness of breath.
The moles on my head are honestly about 1-2mm and hard. One of them fell off this week. The one thing that made me suspicious about my doctor is the fact that he said 'if you had cancer your lymph nodes would be massive'. Whereas I thought any unexplained Lympapathody should be biopsied? Whereas they have both flat out refused a biospy despite them acknowledged that my nodes are hard and raised.
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- June 6, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Thank you for your response Moira,
I understand where you are coming from in terms of this. I have seen two seperate GP's at my surgery, who I had not seen for about 6 years prior. I'm scheduling counselling sessions to deal with my panic/anxiety.
Unfortunately, I'm not a doctor but for the last 6-7 weeks I have read about every possible symptom of Melanoma and each new 'tangible' one I have, I can't explain away. I have mentioned everything to my doctor that I have been experiencing. I had a normal blood test about 6 weeks ago, and my brain MRI was about 3 weeks (ish) ago. My main symptoms have all been related to my liver function and the balls on my rib cage, which appear to be growing slightly and only started on the right side, now they are on both. I also lost about a stone and a half, and went quite thin but recently have started to bloat quite a lot with shortness of breath.
The moles on my head are honestly about 1-2mm and hard. One of them fell off this week. The one thing that made me suspicious about my doctor is the fact that he said 'if you had cancer your lymph nodes would be massive'. Whereas I thought any unexplained Lympapathody should be biopsied? Whereas they have both flat out refused a biospy despite them acknowledged that my nodes are hard and raised.
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- June 5, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Yes… My understanding is all melanomas grow. Nodular is very fast . I think your mole would have changed overtime. orange urine Is a sign of liver issues. My fiancés brother had a blockage of a bile duct and that was his first symptom. I would keep working with your doctor but I do not think that mole is the culprit.
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- June 5, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Yes… My understanding is all melanomas grow. Nodular is very fast . I think your mole would have changed overtime. orange urine Is a sign of liver issues. My fiancés brother had a blockage of a bile duct and that was his first symptom. I would keep working with your doctor but I do not think that mole is the culprit.
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- June 5, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Yes… My understanding is all melanomas grow. Nodular is very fast . I think your mole would have changed overtime. orange urine Is a sign of liver issues. My fiancés brother had a blockage of a bile duct and that was his first symptom. I would keep working with your doctor but I do not think that mole is the culprit.
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- June 6, 2016 at 2:01 pm
I thought this as well. All around the edges of my eyes have gone a yellowy colour, and the tops of my nails have a see through/brownish tint to them. The orange urine and the rightside rib discomfort were just the tipping point for me.
I should point out that I am 27, Male. I Smoke but don't drink any more (was only a binge drinker). So I don't think my eyes/nails should show signs of Liver damage.
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- June 6, 2016 at 2:01 pm
I thought this as well. All around the edges of my eyes have gone a yellowy colour, and the tops of my nails have a see through/brownish tint to them. The orange urine and the rightside rib discomfort were just the tipping point for me.
I should point out that I am 27, Male. I Smoke but don't drink any more (was only a binge drinker). So I don't think my eyes/nails should show signs of Liver damage.
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- June 6, 2016 at 2:01 pm
I thought this as well. All around the edges of my eyes have gone a yellowy colour, and the tops of my nails have a see through/brownish tint to them. The orange urine and the rightside rib discomfort were just the tipping point for me.
I should point out that I am 27, Male. I Smoke but don't drink any more (was only a binge drinker). So I don't think my eyes/nails should show signs of Liver damage.
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- June 9, 2016 at 11:35 pm
I am surprised your doctors have not suggested a CT scan. My brother entered the hospital with symptoms like yours: Very dark urine, yellowing skin, new bumps under the skin and recent weight loss. He had a blocked bile duct which they unblocked. His urine went back to normal as did his skin and the new bumps disappeared. Now it does turn out that his blockage was caused by melanoma (we are on a melanoma forum after all) but a bile duct can be blocked for many reasons (gallstones for example). They found the blockage by doing the CT scan. I hope your doctors find the reason for your symptoms soon. Best of luck to you.
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- June 9, 2016 at 11:35 pm
I am surprised your doctors have not suggested a CT scan. My brother entered the hospital with symptoms like yours: Very dark urine, yellowing skin, new bumps under the skin and recent weight loss. He had a blocked bile duct which they unblocked. His urine went back to normal as did his skin and the new bumps disappeared. Now it does turn out that his blockage was caused by melanoma (we are on a melanoma forum after all) but a bile duct can be blocked for many reasons (gallstones for example). They found the blockage by doing the CT scan. I hope your doctors find the reason for your symptoms soon. Best of luck to you.
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- June 9, 2016 at 11:35 pm
I am surprised your doctors have not suggested a CT scan. My brother entered the hospital with symptoms like yours: Very dark urine, yellowing skin, new bumps under the skin and recent weight loss. He had a blocked bile duct which they unblocked. His urine went back to normal as did his skin and the new bumps disappeared. Now it does turn out that his blockage was caused by melanoma (we are on a melanoma forum after all) but a bile duct can be blocked for many reasons (gallstones for example). They found the blockage by doing the CT scan. I hope your doctors find the reason for your symptoms soon. Best of luck to you.
Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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