7 year old with melanoma
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7 year old with melanoma

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 7 year old with melanoma

  • Post
    • May 19, 2014 at 5:44 am
    camping_mama
    Participant

    Hi, my 7 year old daughter was diagnosed with melanoma about three weeks ago.  The tumor is a 1b. Thankfully it was small (.47 mm) but had a mitotic rate of 1 and vertical growth so they deemed it a "b" not an "a".

    She underwent her wide excision and SLNB on friday and we find out results next week.

    I know there are probably only a few folks on here with pediactric melanoma diagnoses.  Can anyone point me to an online support or information group for parents?  I saw the reference from 2 months ago for littlestwarriorspot.com, but the post also mentioned that there was another group.  If anyone has the info for that group and would pass it along I would be very grateful.  Thank you!!

     

     

Viewing 11 reply threads
  • Replies
      • May 19, 2014 at 12:39 pm
      starletwoman2007
      Participant
      Hi there is a group on Facebook called melanomamates that may be able to help you x
      • May 19, 2014 at 12:39 pm
      starletwoman2007
      Participant
      Hi there is a group on Facebook called melanomamates that may be able to help you x
      • May 19, 2014 at 12:39 pm
      starletwoman2007
      Participant
      Hi there is a group on Facebook called melanomamates that may be able to help you x
      • May 19, 2014 at 12:42 pm
      A
      Participant

      I am very sorry about your daughter diagnosis. Fortunately, it has been caught early and there is more than 95% chance that she will be cured. Since pediatric melanoma is so rare, could you please describe your daughter lesion. Was it the unusual mole you decided to check? Thanks.

      • May 19, 2014 at 12:42 pm
      A
      Participant

      I am very sorry about your daughter diagnosis. Fortunately, it has been caught early and there is more than 95% chance that she will be cured. Since pediatric melanoma is so rare, could you please describe your daughter lesion. Was it the unusual mole you decided to check? Thanks.

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:21 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Hi,

        Yes, I noticed an unusual mole on her back in February when she was getting out of the bath.  It was a small dark brown/black portion of a mole in the middle of her upper back.  It was about 2 months from me first noticing it until the scrape biopsy.

        Pathology report showed a superficial spreding, .47 mm, mitotic rate of 1, brisk tumor infiltrating lymphocyte present, Clark level of III, uninvolved margins,  radial and vertical growth phase present.  

        We live in Utah and have the Huntsman Cancer institute nearby. They are a good cancer center, though not pediactric specialists.   I do have confidence in the melanoma surgeon we have.  He is highly regarded in the field, and just a really nice and comforting guy, which helps a lot.

        She had a CT scan when she was a baby (6 months old).  Although most (but not all) studies show no connection, I truly believe this triggered the change.  In little ones it often isn't sun exposure related, and especially so in her.  It was in a spot that virtually never saw the sun, and because she is fair skinned I always had her in uv shirts in the summer, etc. 

         

         

         

         

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:21 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Hi,

        Yes, I noticed an unusual mole on her back in February when she was getting out of the bath.  It was a small dark brown/black portion of a mole in the middle of her upper back.  It was about 2 months from me first noticing it until the scrape biopsy.

        Pathology report showed a superficial spreding, .47 mm, mitotic rate of 1, brisk tumor infiltrating lymphocyte present, Clark level of III, uninvolved margins,  radial and vertical growth phase present.  

        We live in Utah and have the Huntsman Cancer institute nearby. They are a good cancer center, though not pediactric specialists.   I do have confidence in the melanoma surgeon we have.  He is highly regarded in the field, and just a really nice and comforting guy, which helps a lot.

        She had a CT scan when she was a baby (6 months old).  Although most (but not all) studies show no connection, I truly believe this triggered the change.  In little ones it often isn't sun exposure related, and especially so in her.  It was in a spot that virtually never saw the sun, and because she is fair skinned I always had her in uv shirts in the summer, etc. 

         

         

         

         

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:32 pm
        JC
        Participant

        so CT scans can trigger melanoma?  i was not aware of that, do the folks who get so many CT scans end up with additional primary melanomas?

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:32 pm
        JC
        Participant

        so CT scans can trigger melanoma?  i was not aware of that, do the folks who get so many CT scans end up with additional primary melanomas?

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:46 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        re: CT scans and Melanoma.  CT scans definitely increase cancer risk, but it is usually brain, blood, and other cancers that are increaesd.  Most studies find no specific connection to melanoma, but again, almost all the studies are on adults.  There was a large australian study that did find an increase incidence of melanoma specifically from CT scans.  http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f2360

        Because my daughter was so very young (6 months) when she got the CT the risk of cancer is significantly higher than for adults who receive CT scans.

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:46 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        re: CT scans and Melanoma.  CT scans definitely increase cancer risk, but it is usually brain, blood, and other cancers that are increaesd.  Most studies find no specific connection to melanoma, but again, almost all the studies are on adults.  There was a large australian study that did find an increase incidence of melanoma specifically from CT scans.  http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f2360

        Because my daughter was so very young (6 months) when she got the CT the risk of cancer is significantly higher than for adults who receive CT scans.

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:05 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Adding this:  It is just a news article, but concisely describes the research: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/scans-of-teens-children-raise-cancer-risk-20130522-2jzrz.html

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:05 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Adding this:  It is just a news article, but concisely describes the research: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/scans-of-teens-children-raise-cancer-risk-20130522-2jzrz.html

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:15 pm
        JC
        Participant

        i guess the whole hormesis theory is bunk then

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:15 pm
        JC
        Participant

        i guess the whole hormesis theory is bunk then

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:15 pm
        JC
        Participant

        i guess the whole hormesis theory is bunk then

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:05 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Adding this:  It is just a news article, but concisely describes the research: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/scans-of-teens-children-raise-cancer-risk-20130522-2jzrz.html

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:46 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        re: CT scans and Melanoma.  CT scans definitely increase cancer risk, but it is usually brain, blood, and other cancers that are increaesd.  Most studies find no specific connection to melanoma, but again, almost all the studies are on adults.  There was a large australian study that did find an increase incidence of melanoma specifically from CT scans.  http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f2360

        Because my daughter was so very young (6 months) when she got the CT the risk of cancer is significantly higher than for adults who receive CT scans.

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:32 pm
        JC
        Participant

        so CT scans can trigger melanoma?  i was not aware of that, do the folks who get so many CT scans end up with additional primary melanomas?

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:35 pm
        A
        Participant

        How big was the mole on the back? Was it smaller than pencil eraser?

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:35 pm
        A
        Participant

        How big was the mole on the back? Was it smaller than pencil eraser?

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:50 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        It was much smaller than a pencil eraser. The tumor itself was 3 mm according to the path report (with .47 breslow depth).  I estimate the mole was about 3.5 mm. 

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:50 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        It was much smaller than a pencil eraser. The tumor itself was 3 mm according to the path report (with .47 breslow depth).  I estimate the mole was about 3.5 mm. 

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:56 pm
        A
        Participant

        This is scary: so small and yet melanoma. You were wise to check it. Was it really looking so atypical????

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:56 pm
        A
        Participant

        This is scary: so small and yet melanoma. You were wise to check it. Was it really looking so atypical????

        • May 19, 2014 at 5:07 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        It was just a normal brown mole like all her others, at first. Then I noticed (it felt like suddenly) that it had developed a very dark brown/black section.  I don't think most would have noticed it, but I am an overly paranoid mother.  Ordinarily my anxiety and paranoia has served my poorly in life, but I think this time it actually may have saved my daughter's life.  

        Both my daughter and I are very pale, so skin cancer in general was always on my radar.  I also have a close friend who lost one of her friends to melanoma last year, so I was triggered to think that way.  

        I am incredibly grateful that I trusted my gut to take her in.  Most people probably would have thought I was nuts to suspect skin cancer in a kid (and honestly so did I.  I was convinced the biopsy would come back negative).

        Because of the presence of the tumor infiltrating lymphocyte, I also wonder if maybe her body would have succesfully fought it off on her own and we would never have known about it until something else came up later.  I'm glad we found it, obviously, and that we have taken the steps we did to get everythig "cleaned out", but I am also very pleased to know her little body was fighting the good fight on its own.

         

        • May 19, 2014 at 5:07 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        It was just a normal brown mole like all her others, at first. Then I noticed (it felt like suddenly) that it had developed a very dark brown/black section.  I don't think most would have noticed it, but I am an overly paranoid mother.  Ordinarily my anxiety and paranoia has served my poorly in life, but I think this time it actually may have saved my daughter's life.  

        Both my daughter and I are very pale, so skin cancer in general was always on my radar.  I also have a close friend who lost one of her friends to melanoma last year, so I was triggered to think that way.  

        I am incredibly grateful that I trusted my gut to take her in.  Most people probably would have thought I was nuts to suspect skin cancer in a kid (and honestly so did I.  I was convinced the biopsy would come back negative).

        Because of the presence of the tumor infiltrating lymphocyte, I also wonder if maybe her body would have succesfully fought it off on her own and we would never have known about it until something else came up later.  I'm glad we found it, obviously, and that we have taken the steps we did to get everythig "cleaned out", but I am also very pleased to know her little body was fighting the good fight on its own.

         

        • May 19, 2014 at 5:07 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        It was just a normal brown mole like all her others, at first. Then I noticed (it felt like suddenly) that it had developed a very dark brown/black section.  I don't think most would have noticed it, but I am an overly paranoid mother.  Ordinarily my anxiety and paranoia has served my poorly in life, but I think this time it actually may have saved my daughter's life.  

        Both my daughter and I are very pale, so skin cancer in general was always on my radar.  I also have a close friend who lost one of her friends to melanoma last year, so I was triggered to think that way.  

        I am incredibly grateful that I trusted my gut to take her in.  Most people probably would have thought I was nuts to suspect skin cancer in a kid (and honestly so did I.  I was convinced the biopsy would come back negative).

        Because of the presence of the tumor infiltrating lymphocyte, I also wonder if maybe her body would have succesfully fought it off on her own and we would never have known about it until something else came up later.  I'm glad we found it, obviously, and that we have taken the steps we did to get everythig "cleaned out", but I am also very pleased to know her little body was fighting the good fight on its own.

         

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:56 pm
        A
        Participant

        This is scary: so small and yet melanoma. You were wise to check it. Was it really looking so atypical????

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:50 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        It was much smaller than a pencil eraser. The tumor itself was 3 mm according to the path report (with .47 breslow depth).  I estimate the mole was about 3.5 mm. 

        • May 19, 2014 at 4:35 pm
        A
        Participant

        How big was the mole on the back? Was it smaller than pencil eraser?

        • May 19, 2014 at 3:21 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Hi,

        Yes, I noticed an unusual mole on her back in February when she was getting out of the bath.  It was a small dark brown/black portion of a mole in the middle of her upper back.  It was about 2 months from me first noticing it until the scrape biopsy.

        Pathology report showed a superficial spreding, .47 mm, mitotic rate of 1, brisk tumor infiltrating lymphocyte present, Clark level of III, uninvolved margins,  radial and vertical growth phase present.  

        We live in Utah and have the Huntsman Cancer institute nearby. They are a good cancer center, though not pediactric specialists.   I do have confidence in the melanoma surgeon we have.  He is highly regarded in the field, and just a really nice and comforting guy, which helps a lot.

        She had a CT scan when she was a baby (6 months old).  Although most (but not all) studies show no connection, I truly believe this triggered the change.  In little ones it often isn't sun exposure related, and especially so in her.  It was in a spot that virtually never saw the sun, and because she is fair skinned I always had her in uv shirts in the summer, etc. 

         

         

         

         

      • May 19, 2014 at 12:42 pm
      A
      Participant

      I am very sorry about your daughter diagnosis. Fortunately, it has been caught early and there is more than 95% chance that she will be cured. Since pediatric melanoma is so rare, could you please describe your daughter lesion. Was it the unusual mole you decided to check? Thanks.

      • May 19, 2014 at 5:51 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      If you email me (click on my name to go to my profile), there is a Facebook group for pediatric melanoma.  I think it's a closed group, but I can put you in touch with someone to give you access.

      • May 19, 2014 at 5:51 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      If you email me (click on my name to go to my profile), there is a Facebook group for pediatric melanoma.  I think it's a closed group, but I can put you in touch with someone to give you access.

        • May 19, 2014 at 7:20 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Done!  Thank you so much!

        • May 19, 2014 at 7:20 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Done!  Thank you so much!

        • May 21, 2014 at 7:36 pm
        melanomafighter
        Participant
        So sorry to hear of her, so young…happy you noticed it and it’s gone…good luck to you and your daughter…also glad you have sites to go to for children..take care
        • May 21, 2014 at 7:36 pm
        melanomafighter
        Participant
        So sorry to hear of her, so young…happy you noticed it and it’s gone…good luck to you and your daughter…also glad you have sites to go to for children..take care
        • May 21, 2014 at 7:36 pm
        melanomafighter
        Participant
        So sorry to hear of her, so young…happy you noticed it and it’s gone…good luck to you and your daughter…also glad you have sites to go to for children..take care
        • May 19, 2014 at 7:20 pm
        camping_mama
        Participant

        Done!  Thank you so much!

      • May 19, 2014 at 5:51 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      If you email me (click on my name to go to my profile), there is a Facebook group for pediatric melanoma.  I think it's a closed group, but I can put you in touch with someone to give you access.

      • May 22, 2014 at 1:33 am
      camping_mama
      Participant

      Her lymph node biopsy came back negative!!!  I know we aren't totally out of the woods, but I am feeling so much more hopeful for her and her life.  Now to get some sleep!!

        • January 12, 2019 at 3:17 pm
        Mommy to Poppy
        Participant

        Hello
        My name is Jasmine, I have a daughter Poppy age 5. Poppy presents a vertical dark pigmentation line running the length of her right 5th digit under the nail extending up the cuticle into the finger. We believe it to be menaloma. The lesion has not slowly formed it just appeared like it is in nov 17 and has gotten slowly darker and I believe wider. It causes no pain and she has had no trauma to the nail. We are UK based. Poppy has since had wobbly stages stating her body feels wobbly, headaches and periods where she seems blank. Her school have also reported these concerns. We have also noticed behavioural changes she was such a kind, friendly happy and relentless little girl now she has stages of anger, sadness, sensitivity and is very tired. Her biopsy is 20th jan but we have found no other paediatric menaloma patients this is the first thread! I have loads of questions non that spring to mind but we are just happy to find others in a position like ours 

         

        thanks for reading! 

      • May 22, 2014 at 1:33 am
      camping_mama
      Participant

      Her lymph node biopsy came back negative!!!  I know we aren't totally out of the woods, but I am feeling so much more hopeful for her and her life.  Now to get some sleep!!

      • May 22, 2014 at 1:33 am
      camping_mama
      Participant

      Her lymph node biopsy came back negative!!!  I know we aren't totally out of the woods, but I am feeling so much more hopeful for her and her life.  Now to get some sleep!!

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