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Subcutaneous masses removed. Questions!!!
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Subcutaneous masses removed. Questions!!!

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Subcutaneous masses removed. Questions!!!

  • Post
    • January 16, 2018 at 2:19 am
    MichelleRHG
    Participant
      Hi, I just had 2 small, moveable subQ masses excised from the back of my hand.The dermatologist said she saw no pigment, which was probably a good sign. They were white, just like the underlying skin. She also said they were not as hard as she initially thought and were very easy to excise. They came out as little round white balls, from what I could see in the specimen jar. Has anybody actually looked at their subQ melanoma when its been taken out? I know the pathologist will give the final word but does this description sound hopeful or not? Worried, of course. Stage 3B, primary on thigh in 2009, Mets to groin and pelvic nodes in 2016. Thanks in advance for any insight.
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        • January 16, 2018 at 1:56 pm
        cancersnewnormal
        Participant

          From my personal experience, that sounds very hopeful. As you mentioned, obviously, the pathology report will show the details that can't be seen with naked eye. The subQ removed from my back took quite a lot of digging, with my dermatologist repeatedly apologizing for how much pressure he had to use. He also mentioned how "tied in" it was with surrounding tissue. When it was finally out, and sliced in half, there was clearly pigment. We pretty much knew immediately that it wasn't going to be a good path report. But at that time, I was already stage IV with brain and lung issues, sooooo… a little "meatball" on my back was small potatoes. That said… there are tricky melanoma spots that sometimes have no pigment… although I wonder how easily they'd come right out. That part doesn't fit a mela-meat profile. That sounds more detached from surrounding structures.

            • January 16, 2018 at 3:32 pm
            MichelleRHG
            Participant
              Thank you for your reply, Niki. Any word of positivity helps, as I’m sure you know all too well. May God bless you. Thanks again.
            • January 19, 2018 at 1:02 pm
            MichelleRHG
            Participant
              They were not cancer, but likely caused by i.v., is what I was told. I will get more details next week but so relieved!
                • January 19, 2018 at 3:06 pm
                cancersnewnormal
                Participant

                  Yeah! That's great news!  : )  Caused by I.V. …. interesting… and weird. Maybe like a keloid scar, but under the skin rather than on surface? Huh. 

                  • January 19, 2018 at 5:45 pm
                  MichelleRHG
                  Participant
                    There were 2 masses. Weird. The derm texted the info to me but I’m curious to see the path report . They were not exactly where the I.v. was, either, but a couple cm away. My body inflames some with the opdivo so I guess that played a role. Just so thankful!
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