› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Amelanotic Melanoma
- This topic has 21 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 3 months ago by nnhood.
- Post
-
- August 8, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Hi!!!
Hi!!! I was diagnosed back in 2009 with SSM on my right knee (1.08mm, SNB Neg), and of course been followed regularly ever since. I had a spot removed the other day on my upper arm that my derm has kind of been watching off and on for some time. It had grown about 1mm in width, so she wanted to take it off. It was completely flat, pink, and this sounds odd, but if you were to stretch that skin around it, it would pretty much disappear. And, it had been there for at least 6 years, if not longer. Kind of reminded me of a birthmark, or scar. Anyway, I get to googling and all of that other nutty behavoir, and come up with amelanotic melanoma. Just curious to see if anyone has had on of these rare mels, and if so, what did it look like. I'm a hot, freaked out mess right now waiting for the results!!!! Any insight would be great!!!!!!!!!!!:) Thanks!! Jenn
- Replies
-
-
- August 8, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Hi Jen
My primary tumor/internal,3.5cm/ was a rare albino/white/ on the top of already being rare due to its location.I've had a recurrence ever since that was dark in color but I was surprised to learn that they come in whitsh, pinkish colors too not only black or brown.That's being said they wouldnt know what is it until biopsied so do not freak out beforehand.
Take care,
-
- August 8, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Hi Jen
My primary tumor/internal,3.5cm/ was a rare albino/white/ on the top of already being rare due to its location.I've had a recurrence ever since that was dark in color but I was surprised to learn that they come in whitsh, pinkish colors too not only black or brown.That's being said they wouldnt know what is it until biopsied so do not freak out beforehand.
Take care,
-
- August 8, 2011 at 9:32 pm
First off, it's uncommon to have more than one primary. Only about 8% every do. Second, it's uncommon to have a melanoma of a different type than you had before. Never any absolutes, but still even rarer.
The thing that comes to my mind from your description is a dermatofibroma. Benign skin tumors that are thought to be caused by bug bites. I have some that are lightly pigmented and some that are skin colored, some are flat and some are more raised.
Don't jump to any conclusions because, chances are, it's nothing to worry about! Since when has googling (and all the nutty behavior) been a recipe for "peace of mind"???
Best wishes,
Janner
-
- August 8, 2011 at 9:32 pm
First off, it's uncommon to have more than one primary. Only about 8% every do. Second, it's uncommon to have a melanoma of a different type than you had before. Never any absolutes, but still even rarer.
The thing that comes to my mind from your description is a dermatofibroma. Benign skin tumors that are thought to be caused by bug bites. I have some that are lightly pigmented and some that are skin colored, some are flat and some are more raised.
Don't jump to any conclusions because, chances are, it's nothing to worry about! Since when has googling (and all the nutty behavior) been a recipe for "peace of mind"???
Best wishes,
Janner
-
- August 8, 2011 at 10:01 pm
It would be highly unlikely to have two types of melanoma, and Amelanotic Melanoma is also rare to have as well, so that would make it double in your favor of this being something else.
A biopsy is the only way to tell for sure, but try to relax in the meantime as in doctor speak it is "highly unlikely" of being melanoma at all.
Let us know the results.
Michael
-
- August 8, 2011 at 10:01 pm
It would be highly unlikely to have two types of melanoma, and Amelanotic Melanoma is also rare to have as well, so that would make it double in your favor of this being something else.
A biopsy is the only way to tell for sure, but try to relax in the meantime as in doctor speak it is "highly unlikely" of being melanoma at all.
Let us know the results.
Michael
-
- August 10, 2011 at 1:40 pm
HI Teodora,
Janner and the rest are correct amelanotic is very rare and having mult primary are also rare so I would try to not freak until you hear back from your doctor but I too know this is easier said than done. I am one of those strange people (so my derm and melanoma onc says) who has multiple primaries that are all amelanotic. I have had 3 melanoma primaries and each have been amelanotic which is very very strange. the thing to look for (or at least with mine) is symptoms of itchiness or scaliness. The first amelanotic melanoma looked like a dome shaped, size of a dime red bump on my hip and I had a positive sentinel node. this melanoma would bleed and scab over. the second melanoma I had was stage one 0.59mm and only a clark II but it was an itchy raised pink spot on the back of my right shoulder. The third melanoma primary was over 2.3 mm and was itchy inflammed and grew quite fast on my lower back. So i'd say the thing to look for is change and if they are itchy or scaley just from my experience. I hope everything comes back great for you and try not to worry until you have to:-)
Alicia
-
- August 10, 2011 at 1:40 pm
HI Teodora,
Janner and the rest are correct amelanotic is very rare and having mult primary are also rare so I would try to not freak until you hear back from your doctor but I too know this is easier said than done. I am one of those strange people (so my derm and melanoma onc says) who has multiple primaries that are all amelanotic. I have had 3 melanoma primaries and each have been amelanotic which is very very strange. the thing to look for (or at least with mine) is symptoms of itchiness or scaliness. The first amelanotic melanoma looked like a dome shaped, size of a dime red bump on my hip and I had a positive sentinel node. this melanoma would bleed and scab over. the second melanoma I had was stage one 0.59mm and only a clark II but it was an itchy raised pink spot on the back of my right shoulder. The third melanoma primary was over 2.3 mm and was itchy inflammed and grew quite fast on my lower back. So i'd say the thing to look for is change and if they are itchy or scaley just from my experience. I hope everything comes back great for you and try not to worry until you have to:-)
Alicia
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:34 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:34 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:34 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:35 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:35 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:35 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:36 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:36 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- July 20, 2013 at 12:36 am
This was the red mark on the side of my right buttock. Just got results that it was a Melanoma, but had not spread vertically. She said it's very good I got it at this early stage. Going back in next week to have more skin excised and then after that, checkups every 3 months.
Looking online before actual diagnosis can be very misleading as I thought this was a dermatafibroma. It basically had been in the same spot for 3-4 months and hadn't gone away. That's why I went in to get checked. So always best to play it safe and get it checked out.
I had no idea about unpigmented melanomas or ones that were pink or red instead of black/brown. Hope this image helps in some way and hope everyone stays healthy!
Matt
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.