› Forums › General Melanoma Community › amelanotic melanoma
- This topic has 1 reply, 1 voice, and was last updated 6 years ago by
tedtell1.
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- December 29, 2019 at 4:34 am
Hello, I am a 60 year old woman, fair skinned, red haired. I was never a tanner but did spend a lot of summers outdoors as a child without sunscreen. At age 29 I was diagnosed with a very superficial BCC that was removed with MOHS and has not recurred. I have multiple seborrheic keratoses and have had an actinic keratosis treated. One cousin on my father’s side had a melanoma some years ago that was treated and did not recur.10 days ago I noticed (out of the blue) 2 small red spots on my upper left thigh (one is about 4 mm, the other 3 mm). I am very observant of my skin so I know that these were not there previous to that date. I had recently had a virus with fever and wondered if they could be some kind of skin reaction. They literally popped up overnight.
10 days later the two spots look a bit less red, but are still noticeable. They have not grown, but they have not decreased in size. They are slightly scaley and are relatively flat. They are sort of oblique in shape, not round. The borders are not regular. They do not itch or bother me. They do blanch (fade somewhat in color) when I press on them with a glass.
After googling at some length I am concerned that these lesions may represent amelanotic melanoma.
Worrier that I am I made an appointment with my dermatologist, but the best doctor in the practice can’t see me until Feb. 7.
My understanding after doing much reading is that amelanotic melanomas do not represent a more aggressive form of the disease, but may carry a slightly worse prognosis because their atypical presentation causes them to be discovered at a later stage. I am hoping that if this is what I do have, I have found them early and that will be to my benefit.
Nonetheless, I am wondering if I should try to get in to the derm before Feb. 7. , since I am quite worried. I really like this particular derm (the one who can’t see me until the 7th) and have a lot of confidence in her -she is super smart – however there is another doc in the practice who is very good clinically and is also trained as a dermatopathologist. However, he has absolutely no bedside manner and I just don’t like him. There is a third derm in the practice who is easy to get an appointment with, but she is terribly young and inexperienced.
My other question is, I know from experience with this practice that they always do shave biopsies, and I am reading that shave biopsies are not the way to go when melanoma is suspected. Should I insist on a punch biopsy? I am not sure that they will do one at this particular practice. I once had one for something else but that was with a plastic surgeon, and it will take forever to get an appointment with plastics.
Finally, how common would it be to present with two amelanotic melanomas at the same time?
I appreciate any feedback. Thanks much.
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- December 31, 2019 at 1:47 pm
Good morning and happy holidays. I think it would be fine to wait until you can see your preferred dermatologist. Melanoma is not a “fast growing” cancer and waiting another month isn’t going to make a huge difference. If you need to do this sooner for your peace of mind, then by all means go to another. Please, don’t worry yourself too much though, the only way to know it is melanoma is a biopsy and most spots biopsied aren’t. If it is, you have gotten it early and there is every chance that you will go on living your life as you have. My pastor always tells me, “it isn’t anything until it is something:”, so don’t worry about it in advance. You are correct in saying that with melanoma a punch biopsy is always recommended, but some derms won’t do them.
I wish you a delightful New Year with no hint of melanoma!
Blessings,
Ted
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