is it recurrence?
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is it recurrence?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › is it recurrence?

  • Post
    • September 20, 2015 at 2:52 am
    Remi
    Participant
    Hi
    I was diagnosed just over a year ago with 0.4mm VGP no miotic rate which was all removed and I had a year of quarterly check ups. I was discharged in June and haven’t given it much thought since until this weekend as I have a red spot growing in the middle of my scar and can feel it as a tiny raised bit. Can you gets spots on a scar? Should I be concerned our would it be black if it was recurrence of melanoma?
Viewing 8 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 20, 2015 at 3:57 am
      ET-SF
      Participant

      What you describe is the sort of thing ET's dermatologist told us to watch for and report to him (immediately).  You should have it exmined.

      And yes, melanoma can be red.  It can also be purple, blue, pink, and even flesh-toned.  Do a search for "amelanotic melanoma."

      The spot definitely deserves a look.

        • September 20, 2015 at 7:13 am
        Remi
        Participant
        But Is it possible to have a normal spot on scar tissue? It seems so small I worry they will think I’m a melodramatic ttime waster. if you can put a photo on here I could show you.
        • September 20, 2015 at 5:59 pm
        ET-SF
        Participant

        Good question.  I think the answer might easily be "yes."  I say that because ET's melanoma developed inside a scar where she was poked in the arm by a stick (that went deep into the subcutis).  Hers is a very weird case, I grant you.  But it did happen.  Many doctors are quick to tell us the poke in the arm from the stick would not have "caused" melanoma, and I agree.  However, I suspect there was something about the wound that (1) stimulated a damaged melanocyte to divide and (2) perhaps encapsulated that melanocyte enough to protect it from attack by the immune system.  This is only speculation on my part.  There are isolated case histories in the literature of melanomas secondary to an injury.

        • September 20, 2015 at 5:59 pm
        ET-SF
        Participant

        Good question.  I think the answer might easily be "yes."  I say that because ET's melanoma developed inside a scar where she was poked in the arm by a stick (that went deep into the subcutis).  Hers is a very weird case, I grant you.  But it did happen.  Many doctors are quick to tell us the poke in the arm from the stick would not have "caused" melanoma, and I agree.  However, I suspect there was something about the wound that (1) stimulated a damaged melanocyte to divide and (2) perhaps encapsulated that melanocyte enough to protect it from attack by the immune system.  This is only speculation on my part.  There are isolated case histories in the literature of melanomas secondary to an injury.

        • September 20, 2015 at 5:59 pm
        ET-SF
        Participant

        Good question.  I think the answer might easily be "yes."  I say that because ET's melanoma developed inside a scar where she was poked in the arm by a stick (that went deep into the subcutis).  Hers is a very weird case, I grant you.  But it did happen.  Many doctors are quick to tell us the poke in the arm from the stick would not have "caused" melanoma, and I agree.  However, I suspect there was something about the wound that (1) stimulated a damaged melanocyte to divide and (2) perhaps encapsulated that melanocyte enough to protect it from attack by the immune system.  This is only speculation on my part.  There are isolated case histories in the literature of melanomas secondary to an injury.

        • September 20, 2015 at 7:13 am
        Remi
        Participant
        But Is it possible to have a normal spot on scar tissue? It seems so small I worry they will think I’m a melodramatic ttime waster. if you can put a photo on here I could show you.
        • September 20, 2015 at 7:13 am
        Remi
        Participant
        But Is it possible to have a normal spot on scar tissue? It seems so small I worry they will think I’m a melodramatic ttime waster. if you can put a photo on here I could show you.
      • September 20, 2015 at 3:57 am
      ET-SF
      Participant

      What you describe is the sort of thing ET's dermatologist told us to watch for and report to him (immediately).  You should have it exmined.

      And yes, melanoma can be red.  It can also be purple, blue, pink, and even flesh-toned.  Do a search for "amelanotic melanoma."

      The spot definitely deserves a look.

      • September 20, 2015 at 3:57 am
      ET-SF
      Participant

      What you describe is the sort of thing ET's dermatologist told us to watch for and report to him (immediately).  You should have it exmined.

      And yes, melanoma can be red.  It can also be purple, blue, pink, and even flesh-toned.  Do a search for "amelanotic melanoma."

      The spot definitely deserves a look.

      • September 20, 2015 at 9:38 am
      JC
      Participant

      My WLE scar from 4 1/2 years ago has changed color many times, sometimes due to weather or hot or cold showers or whatever, sometimes more purple, sometimes more pink, i think scars change over time.  Anything of concern, get checked, but I would not overly worry.

        • September 20, 2015 at 11:22 am
        Remi
        Participant
        Thanks for replies I am going to call on Monday. I agree my scar seems to look a different colour and shape everyday but the bit that worries me is slightly raised red spot in the middle. prob fine but I need to put my mind at rest x
        • September 20, 2015 at 11:22 am
        Remi
        Participant
        Thanks for replies I am going to call on Monday. I agree my scar seems to look a different colour and shape everyday but the bit that worries me is slightly raised red spot in the middle. prob fine but I need to put my mind at rest x
        • September 20, 2015 at 4:07 pm
        liberty04281
        Participant
        I would be worried too, not because of the color. but because of the raised spot. It should be definitely checked.
        Good luck!
        • September 20, 2015 at 4:07 pm
        liberty04281
        Participant
        I would be worried too, not because of the color. but because of the raised spot. It should be definitely checked.
        Good luck!
        • September 20, 2015 at 4:07 pm
        liberty04281
        Participant
        I would be worried too, not because of the color. but because of the raised spot. It should be definitely checked.
        Good luck!
        • September 21, 2015 at 8:47 am
        stars
        Participant

        I think after melanoma, both patients and doctors can be alot more cautious than they normally would – I'd get anything and everything checked so its either found early OR I get peace of mind. Good on you for getting it checked – you are doing the right thing.

        • September 21, 2015 at 8:47 am
        stars
        Participant

        I think after melanoma, both patients and doctors can be alot more cautious than they normally would – I'd get anything and everything checked so its either found early OR I get peace of mind. Good on you for getting it checked – you are doing the right thing.

        • September 21, 2015 at 8:47 am
        stars
        Participant

        I think after melanoma, both patients and doctors can be alot more cautious than they normally would – I'd get anything and everything checked so its either found early OR I get peace of mind. Good on you for getting it checked – you are doing the right thing.

        • September 20, 2015 at 11:22 am
        Remi
        Participant
        Thanks for replies I am going to call on Monday. I agree my scar seems to look a different colour and shape everyday but the bit that worries me is slightly raised red spot in the middle. prob fine but I need to put my mind at rest x
      • September 20, 2015 at 9:38 am
      JC
      Participant

      My WLE scar from 4 1/2 years ago has changed color many times, sometimes due to weather or hot or cold showers or whatever, sometimes more purple, sometimes more pink, i think scars change over time.  Anything of concern, get checked, but I would not overly worry.

      • September 20, 2015 at 9:38 am
      JC
      Participant

      My WLE scar from 4 1/2 years ago has changed color many times, sometimes due to weather or hot or cold showers or whatever, sometimes more purple, sometimes more pink, i think scars change over time.  Anything of concern, get checked, but I would not overly worry.

      • September 20, 2015 at 9:15 pm
      Momofjake
      Participant

      My sons Mel was removed from his scalp. A month or so later a doctor moved his hair aside after a lump grew behind his ear. The scar had bluish discoloration around and on it. His Mel color is bluish. Our doctor said its common to return around the original site. 

      I guess you should get checked soon. Good luck!!

      • September 20, 2015 at 9:15 pm
      Momofjake
      Participant

      My sons Mel was removed from his scalp. A month or so later a doctor moved his hair aside after a lump grew behind his ear. The scar had bluish discoloration around and on it. His Mel color is bluish. Our doctor said its common to return around the original site. 

      I guess you should get checked soon. Good luck!!

      • September 20, 2015 at 9:15 pm
      Momofjake
      Participant

      My sons Mel was removed from his scalp. A month or so later a doctor moved his hair aside after a lump grew behind his ear. The scar had bluish discoloration around and on it. His Mel color is bluish. Our doctor said its common to return around the original site. 

      I guess you should get checked soon. Good luck!!

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