› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Questions for Stage 1a Melanoma and reccurence
- This topic has 28 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 8 years ago by
Nemesis.
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- December 28, 2016 at 9:59 pm
Hello Everyone,
I have two questions in regards to this new journey.
First, I will talk about my diagnoses, I am 22 and was recently diagnosed with stage 1a melanoma with
0.23mm in thickness
ulceration: absent
Regression: present
deep margin: negative
peripheral margins: positive (have already had the WLE procedure and got the all clear that got everything)
Mitotic Rate: 0
Microsatellitosis: Absent
Lymph-Vascular invasion: absent
Lymph nodes: N/A
The mole that was cut out was on my upper trunk above my scapula near my shoulder, I am almost certain this was caused by a nasty blistering sunburn I had as a child. I have known about the dangers of melanoma way before this diagnoses, and before this mole was biopsied, I have had 15-17 other moles biopsied before this, all have come back mildly atypical at the worse. With this being said, my question in regards to my recent diagnoses is how low of a risk is this mole? I know that my risk falls somewhere as the ten-year survival rate of stage 1a is 95% but just wanted to hear some others that can add to these findings. I am pretty scared but am ready to move past this and am glad that I found it early. Is there any advice anyone can give for this diagnoses and how to deal with it?
Second question:
I am also worried about now having another melanoma on me right now.. I wanted to see if anyone could give any advice on how common it is, if it is at all to have two primary melanomas on your body at the same time. I have read that my risk for a new primary is around 4-8% but wanted to see if anyone could point me to studies or from own experience on if they have had two primaries at once or if they occurred later in life. Thank you for reading this, and please let me know your thoughts.
- Replies
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- December 29, 2016 at 12:47 pm
it is not common to have more than one primary (something like 8%-10% do)
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- December 29, 2016 at 1:36 pm
I've known a few people to have multiple primaries at one time, but most who've had multiples haven't had them at the same time. I had my first in 1992 and my 2nd in 2000 and 3rd in 2001. My third one was around when the 2nd one was, I'm sure, but the 2nd one was in an easily seen location. Back in 1992, there was no internet or good info I could find on melanoma and I wasn't even sure I could have more than one. I wasn't even seeing a derm. After I noticed the 2nd one changing, I had it removed and then I switched doctors. I then noticed the 3rd one (deeper than the 2 previous) and had it removed. Nothing since 2001 for me.
Monitor your other moles for CHANGE! Take photos. Compare monthly. That's the best way to handle this. Photos give you an independent eye — guard against imagination and fear. Again, you are looking for that ugly duckling or the lesion that is changing! (Changing lesions don't have to be melanoma, but the risk is higher).
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- December 29, 2016 at 1:36 pm
I've known a few people to have multiple primaries at one time, but most who've had multiples haven't had them at the same time. I had my first in 1992 and my 2nd in 2000 and 3rd in 2001. My third one was around when the 2nd one was, I'm sure, but the 2nd one was in an easily seen location. Back in 1992, there was no internet or good info I could find on melanoma and I wasn't even sure I could have more than one. I wasn't even seeing a derm. After I noticed the 2nd one changing, I had it removed and then I switched doctors. I then noticed the 3rd one (deeper than the 2 previous) and had it removed. Nothing since 2001 for me.
Monitor your other moles for CHANGE! Take photos. Compare monthly. That's the best way to handle this. Photos give you an independent eye — guard against imagination and fear. Again, you are looking for that ugly duckling or the lesion that is changing! (Changing lesions don't have to be melanoma, but the risk is higher).
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- December 29, 2016 at 1:36 pm
I've known a few people to have multiple primaries at one time, but most who've had multiples haven't had them at the same time. I had my first in 1992 and my 2nd in 2000 and 3rd in 2001. My third one was around when the 2nd one was, I'm sure, but the 2nd one was in an easily seen location. Back in 1992, there was no internet or good info I could find on melanoma and I wasn't even sure I could have more than one. I wasn't even seeing a derm. After I noticed the 2nd one changing, I had it removed and then I switched doctors. I then noticed the 3rd one (deeper than the 2 previous) and had it removed. Nothing since 2001 for me.
Monitor your other moles for CHANGE! Take photos. Compare monthly. That's the best way to handle this. Photos give you an independent eye — guard against imagination and fear. Again, you are looking for that ugly duckling or the lesion that is changing! (Changing lesions don't have to be melanoma, but the risk is higher).
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- December 29, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Curious as to what the melanoma looked like this time? Was it different than the mildly atypicals!
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- December 30, 2016 at 9:41 pm
It was definitely different, The other atypical moles that I had looked a lot worse than my actual melanoma mole. My mildly atypical ones and even regular moles looked very dark and where unsymmetrical even raised as well, this is why I asked to removed them first. But I remember getting a horrible sunburn as a child where I found this melanoma, and even though it didn't necessarily look worrisome it looked different, and I knew I had that sunburn there. I remember reading all the articles saying how one blistering sunburn can increase your odds of melanoma, and I really feel that the one blistering sunburn I had as a child caused that melanoma, because all my other moles everywhere else on my body have been not worrisome at alll and they looked worse than this one.
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- December 30, 2016 at 9:41 pm
It was definitely different, The other atypical moles that I had looked a lot worse than my actual melanoma mole. My mildly atypical ones and even regular moles looked very dark and where unsymmetrical even raised as well, this is why I asked to removed them first. But I remember getting a horrible sunburn as a child where I found this melanoma, and even though it didn't necessarily look worrisome it looked different, and I knew I had that sunburn there. I remember reading all the articles saying how one blistering sunburn can increase your odds of melanoma, and I really feel that the one blistering sunburn I had as a child caused that melanoma, because all my other moles everywhere else on my body have been not worrisome at alll and they looked worse than this one.
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- December 30, 2016 at 9:41 pm
It was definitely different, The other atypical moles that I had looked a lot worse than my actual melanoma mole. My mildly atypical ones and even regular moles looked very dark and where unsymmetrical even raised as well, this is why I asked to removed them first. But I remember getting a horrible sunburn as a child where I found this melanoma, and even though it didn't necessarily look worrisome it looked different, and I knew I had that sunburn there. I remember reading all the articles saying how one blistering sunburn can increase your odds of melanoma, and I really feel that the one blistering sunburn I had as a child caused that melanoma, because all my other moles everywhere else on my body have been not worrisome at alll and they looked worse than this one.
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- December 30, 2016 at 4:16 pm
I'm 33 yrs old and I was diagnosed this past August with 2 primaries, which I both found at the same time, in my lower calf, 2 inches away from each other. Both 1A, 0.65 mm and 0.15 mm, no mitosis, no ulceration or anything else worrisome. Had WLE, with clear margins.
I'm lucky to have great insurance so I went ahead and saw a MEL oncologist given the close distance and simultaneous diagnoses of the two (eventhough they were 1a), but mostly for my piece of mind. I was even willing to pay out of pocket to see the mel specialist even if I didn't get insurance to cover it. Slides were read by two different dermapathologist and the 2nd reading put the depth of one of them at 0.5mm instead of 0.65 mm and they were classified as spitzoid mels, which have a better diagnoses overall than regular mel.
I've had 2 more atypical spitzoids removed since, with clear margins, but no more mels. I have a lot of moles so I get regular check ups every 3 months or more if I see anything suspicious. I use apps and pics to keep track of any changes or new moles.
I was told by my derm, my oncologist and my melanoma surgeon that 2 primaries at the same time are rare, but I guess it happens. I've done extensive research and found the same 4-8% chance of this, and I'm one of them.
I worried a lot in the beginning as well but after the first month or two, you do your research, you see your doctors and you keep an eye on your moles and things get much better. This site and others similar to this are great. Be your own advocate, be assertive and tell your doctors what you need done, at times even for just your peace of mind; it has worked wonders for me.
Let it be known that I was the one to find my melanomas eventhough I was seeing a derm on a regular bases for another skin condition. No doctor knows or cares about your body/life more than you. Go out there and kick butt!
I hope you never have to deal with another mel again.
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- December 30, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Thank you so much for the reply!
I find my melanoma as well, I have gone through so many doctors telling me not to worry and im over reacting and its frustrating when they blow you off. I currently am on Medical as im only 22 and living on my own and its frustrating because I have horrible insurance and Idk if Im going to be able to see a specialist, I really want to. I know my risk is low but I just want to remove all my moles for peace of mind. Im so worried that I have another on me now and im not going to get it removed until later because these doctors are taking forever to get things done. I appreciate you telling me that it is rare because that helps ease my anxiety a little bit. Thank you for responding again, I hope I never have to deal with another as well.
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- December 30, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Thank you so much for the reply!
I find my melanoma as well, I have gone through so many doctors telling me not to worry and im over reacting and its frustrating when they blow you off. I currently am on Medical as im only 22 and living on my own and its frustrating because I have horrible insurance and Idk if Im going to be able to see a specialist, I really want to. I know my risk is low but I just want to remove all my moles for peace of mind. Im so worried that I have another on me now and im not going to get it removed until later because these doctors are taking forever to get things done. I appreciate you telling me that it is rare because that helps ease my anxiety a little bit. Thank you for responding again, I hope I never have to deal with another as well.
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- December 30, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Thank you so much for the reply!
I find my melanoma as well, I have gone through so many doctors telling me not to worry and im over reacting and its frustrating when they blow you off. I currently am on Medical as im only 22 and living on my own and its frustrating because I have horrible insurance and Idk if Im going to be able to see a specialist, I really want to. I know my risk is low but I just want to remove all my moles for peace of mind. Im so worried that I have another on me now and im not going to get it removed until later because these doctors are taking forever to get things done. I appreciate you telling me that it is rare because that helps ease my anxiety a little bit. Thank you for responding again, I hope I never have to deal with another as well.
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- December 30, 2016 at 4:16 pm
I'm 33 yrs old and I was diagnosed this past August with 2 primaries, which I both found at the same time, in my lower calf, 2 inches away from each other. Both 1A, 0.65 mm and 0.15 mm, no mitosis, no ulceration or anything else worrisome. Had WLE, with clear margins.
I'm lucky to have great insurance so I went ahead and saw a MEL oncologist given the close distance and simultaneous diagnoses of the two (eventhough they were 1a), but mostly for my piece of mind. I was even willing to pay out of pocket to see the mel specialist even if I didn't get insurance to cover it. Slides were read by two different dermapathologist and the 2nd reading put the depth of one of them at 0.5mm instead of 0.65 mm and they were classified as spitzoid mels, which have a better diagnoses overall than regular mel.
I've had 2 more atypical spitzoids removed since, with clear margins, but no more mels. I have a lot of moles so I get regular check ups every 3 months or more if I see anything suspicious. I use apps and pics to keep track of any changes or new moles.
I was told by my derm, my oncologist and my melanoma surgeon that 2 primaries at the same time are rare, but I guess it happens. I've done extensive research and found the same 4-8% chance of this, and I'm one of them.
I worried a lot in the beginning as well but after the first month or two, you do your research, you see your doctors and you keep an eye on your moles and things get much better. This site and others similar to this are great. Be your own advocate, be assertive and tell your doctors what you need done, at times even for just your peace of mind; it has worked wonders for me.
Let it be known that I was the one to find my melanomas eventhough I was seeing a derm on a regular bases for another skin condition. No doctor knows or cares about your body/life more than you. Go out there and kick butt!
I hope you never have to deal with another mel again.
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- December 30, 2016 at 4:16 pm
I'm 33 yrs old and I was diagnosed this past August with 2 primaries, which I both found at the same time, in my lower calf, 2 inches away from each other. Both 1A, 0.65 mm and 0.15 mm, no mitosis, no ulceration or anything else worrisome. Had WLE, with clear margins.
I'm lucky to have great insurance so I went ahead and saw a MEL oncologist given the close distance and simultaneous diagnoses of the two (eventhough they were 1a), but mostly for my piece of mind. I was even willing to pay out of pocket to see the mel specialist even if I didn't get insurance to cover it. Slides were read by two different dermapathologist and the 2nd reading put the depth of one of them at 0.5mm instead of 0.65 mm and they were classified as spitzoid mels, which have a better diagnoses overall than regular mel.
I've had 2 more atypical spitzoids removed since, with clear margins, but no more mels. I have a lot of moles so I get regular check ups every 3 months or more if I see anything suspicious. I use apps and pics to keep track of any changes or new moles.
I was told by my derm, my oncologist and my melanoma surgeon that 2 primaries at the same time are rare, but I guess it happens. I've done extensive research and found the same 4-8% chance of this, and I'm one of them.
I worried a lot in the beginning as well but after the first month or two, you do your research, you see your doctors and you keep an eye on your moles and things get much better. This site and others similar to this are great. Be your own advocate, be assertive and tell your doctors what you need done, at times even for just your peace of mind; it has worked wonders for me.
Let it be known that I was the one to find my melanomas eventhough I was seeing a derm on a regular bases for another skin condition. No doctor knows or cares about your body/life more than you. Go out there and kick butt!
I hope you never have to deal with another mel again.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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