The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

sorry last post went weird… Read this one

Forums General Melanoma Community sorry last post went weird… Read this one

  • Post
    ashlee12
    Participant

      Since being diagnosed with melanoma that was insitu.. Well it wasn't even stage 0 yet but on the path to being there..



      In just curious I have done my research they send all biopsys and wle to a dermatologist which I heard is a good thing.. So how good of a chance is it that they missed something or could miss cells that are bad after the wle?





      And secondly I know I'm at a greater risk for developing melanoma again .. I already am diagnosed with a anxiety disorder so I do stress everyday about this.. I do have a couple moles that I am keeping my eyes on .. I have shown my derm and surgeon some of them which they think to be no concern.. Well I'm still keeping my eyes on them they have not changed in a couple months… So is it safe to say I'm okay to show him at my febuRay follow up?

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        Janner
        Participant

          If there is pigment regrowth in your scar, talk to your derm.  Other than that, the WLE report should indicate whether the margins appeared clear.  This isn't a 100% guarantee, but pretty good especially if something isn't really melanoma.

          As for your other moles, if they're not changing, then I wouldn't biopsy them.  CHANGE is the #1 factor.  I've had three primaries which I found myself, and all had changed.  I see no reason to remove moles that have been stable for years.  I don't remove new moles unless they look different from everything else I have.  Remember, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  It's possible a mole can stay benign or even atypical forever and NEVER change for the worse.  If fact, that's the most likely scenario.  A severely atypical mole never HAS to change to melanoma, you know. 

            ashlee12
            Participant

              If you don't mind me asking when you found your three primaries what did they look like? What stage were they?

              Janner
              Participant

                Click on my name to read my profile.  Each primary looked different.  Each had changed. Two stage 1b and one in situ.  22 years out.

                Janner
                Participant

                  Click on my name to read my profile.  Each primary looked different.  Each had changed. Two stage 1b and one in situ.  22 years out.

                  Janner
                  Participant

                    Click on my name to read my profile.  Each primary looked different.  Each had changed. Two stage 1b and one in situ.  22 years out.

                    ashlee12
                    Participant

                      If you don't mind me asking when you found your three primaries what did they look like? What stage were they?

                      ashlee12
                      Participant

                        If you don't mind me asking when you found your three primaries what did they look like? What stage were they?

                      Janner
                      Participant

                        If there is pigment regrowth in your scar, talk to your derm.  Other than that, the WLE report should indicate whether the margins appeared clear.  This isn't a 100% guarantee, but pretty good especially if something isn't really melanoma.

                        As for your other moles, if they're not changing, then I wouldn't biopsy them.  CHANGE is the #1 factor.  I've had three primaries which I found myself, and all had changed.  I see no reason to remove moles that have been stable for years.  I don't remove new moles unless they look different from everything else I have.  Remember, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  It's possible a mole can stay benign or even atypical forever and NEVER change for the worse.  If fact, that's the most likely scenario.  A severely atypical mole never HAS to change to melanoma, you know. 

                        Janner
                        Participant

                          If there is pigment regrowth in your scar, talk to your derm.  Other than that, the WLE report should indicate whether the margins appeared clear.  This isn't a 100% guarantee, but pretty good especially if something isn't really melanoma.

                          As for your other moles, if they're not changing, then I wouldn't biopsy them.  CHANGE is the #1 factor.  I've had three primaries which I found myself, and all had changed.  I see no reason to remove moles that have been stable for years.  I don't remove new moles unless they look different from everything else I have.  Remember, you are looking for the ugly duckling.  It's possible a mole can stay benign or even atypical forever and NEVER change for the worse.  If fact, that's the most likely scenario.  A severely atypical mole never HAS to change to melanoma, you know. 

                          DZnDef
                          Participant

                            Ashlee – you mention that you have an anxiety disorder.  Have you found a successful way to get your anxiety under control overall (apart from melonoma)?  I ask because stress itself is an immunosuppresant and you want your immune system functioning at peak levels (the better to avoid any cancers).  Getting your anxiety under control may be the best thing you can do for your health right now.  Meditation, yoga, valerian root tea, whatever works for you, but please do find something that works for you.

                            Best of luck to you

                            DZnDef
                            Participant

                              Ashlee – you mention that you have an anxiety disorder.  Have you found a successful way to get your anxiety under control overall (apart from melonoma)?  I ask because stress itself is an immunosuppresant and you want your immune system functioning at peak levels (the better to avoid any cancers).  Getting your anxiety under control may be the best thing you can do for your health right now.  Meditation, yoga, valerian root tea, whatever works for you, but please do find something that works for you.

                              Best of luck to you

                                ashlee12
                                Participant

                                  I did have my anxiety pretty good under control right before this happened… It's hard being a hypochondriac and actually having something wrong that could possibly kill you. So I'm trying to reajust although that's very hard. I think about it everyday and worry everyday 

                                  ashlee12
                                  Participant

                                    I did have my anxiety pretty good under control right before this happened… It's hard being a hypochondriac and actually having something wrong that could possibly kill you. So I'm trying to reajust although that's very hard. I think about it everyday and worry everyday 

                                    JC
                                    Participant

                                       For anxiety, mindful meditation and counseling with cognitive behavior therapy is very helpful.

                                      JC
                                      Participant

                                         For anxiety, mindful meditation and counseling with cognitive behavior therapy is very helpful.

                                        JC
                                        Participant

                                           For anxiety, mindful meditation and counseling with cognitive behavior therapy is very helpful.

                                          DZnDef
                                          Participant

                                            Yes, Ashlee, I have to laugh at the concept.  Years ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and was told that stress exacerbated the problem and would make me deaf.  So the message I heard was "don't stress or you'll go deaf!"  So I completely stressed out and I am now completely deaf.  Then this melanoma thing came along and I realized I can't kid around anymore and absolutely need to get the stress under control.  I believe I have made huge progress in this area this time around.  But I had to flip my thinking upside down to do it.

                                            DZnDef
                                            Participant

                                              Yes, Ashlee, I have to laugh at the concept.  Years ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and was told that stress exacerbated the problem and would make me deaf.  So the message I heard was "don't stress or you'll go deaf!"  So I completely stressed out and I am now completely deaf.  Then this melanoma thing came along and I realized I can't kid around anymore and absolutely need to get the stress under control.  I believe I have made huge progress in this area this time around.  But I had to flip my thinking upside down to do it.

                                              DZnDef
                                              Participant

                                                Yes, Ashlee, I have to laugh at the concept.  Years ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and was told that stress exacerbated the problem and would make me deaf.  So the message I heard was "don't stress or you'll go deaf!"  So I completely stressed out and I am now completely deaf.  Then this melanoma thing came along and I realized I can't kid around anymore and absolutely need to get the stress under control.  I believe I have made huge progress in this area this time around.  But I had to flip my thinking upside down to do it.

                                                ashlee12
                                                Participant

                                                  I did have my anxiety pretty good under control right before this happened… It's hard being a hypochondriac and actually having something wrong that could possibly kill you. So I'm trying to reajust although that's very hard. I think about it everyday and worry everyday 

                                                DZnDef
                                                Participant

                                                  Ashlee – you mention that you have an anxiety disorder.  Have you found a successful way to get your anxiety under control overall (apart from melonoma)?  I ask because stress itself is an immunosuppresant and you want your immune system functioning at peak levels (the better to avoid any cancers).  Getting your anxiety under control may be the best thing you can do for your health right now.  Meditation, yoga, valerian root tea, whatever works for you, but please do find something that works for you.

                                                  Best of luck to you

                                              Viewing 5 reply threads
                                              • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                              About the MRF Patient Forum

                                              The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                              The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                                              Popular Topics