› Forums › General Melanoma Community › is this melanoma? mole on the sole of my foot, pics attached. please help?
- This topic has 87 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 1 month ago by LuckyMan51.
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- February 17, 2013 at 10:20 pm
Hello everyone,
I am a dark skinned person, Indian. I thought Melanoma only affects people with lighter skin.
But I recently educated myself that it is not the case.
I was concerned about a mole or a red patch that was under the foot, sole of my foot. I vaguely remember seeing it a long time ago as a single red spot, it didn't pain or anything so I left it.
Recently after I got to know about Melanoma and its ABCDE, I looked at this patch which seemed to fit well with Melanoma diagnosis. I once showed this to a doctor, at that time he said it is probably a broken blood vessel it doesn't look like a mole, just ignore it but keep an eye on it.
This is making me paranoid that it has irregular edges, but it is completely flat. It is not raised and it is over 6mm.
I am posting the pictures and links here, if anyone can give an insight it would be nice.
- Replies
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- February 17, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Whenever anyone has a suspicious-looking lesion I think that the smart thing to do is go to a dermatologist who has experience with melanoma. If that doctor says the lesion is "nothing to worry about" I would feel better, but I would also continue to keep an eye on it or (even better) take photos periodically and be alert if the lesion changes. Even ordinary moles can sometimes become cancerous over time.
Look at it this way, if I said– or if every single person on this forum said– "it's nothing", would you be wise to take our word over that of an experienced dermatologist?
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- February 17, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Whenever anyone has a suspicious-looking lesion I think that the smart thing to do is go to a dermatologist who has experience with melanoma. If that doctor says the lesion is "nothing to worry about" I would feel better, but I would also continue to keep an eye on it or (even better) take photos periodically and be alert if the lesion changes. Even ordinary moles can sometimes become cancerous over time.
Look at it this way, if I said– or if every single person on this forum said– "it's nothing", would you be wise to take our word over that of an experienced dermatologist?
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- February 17, 2013 at 11:43 pm
Thanks for the response POW. I do have access to a dermatologist, but right now I'm in Canada. The health care is free, so there is a wait time for meeting specialists such as dermatologists.
It will take me 4 weeks to meet a dermatologist and I am paranoid about this mole and finding it hard to sleep and have a peace of mind.
It only takes a dermatologist to see it for 2 minutes, I seem to be out of luck getting a date with the dermatologist.
I will let post back what I found out after meeting a dermatologist. -
- February 18, 2013 at 12:01 am
Yes, I understand. One thing that I have learned during the months of my brother's illness is that the hardest part is the waiting. And while you are waiting, the anxiety builds. I don't know why optimism doesn't build, but it doesn't– it's the anxiety that builds. And you keep thinking, "Once this thing I'm waiting for happens, I can stop worrying." But it seldom works that way. You FINALLY get in to see the derm and he decides to do a biopsy "just to be sure". Then you have to wait for the biopsy results. And the anxiety grows again. And so it goes. I really envy those people who can handle and/or dissipate their anxiety. Who can maintain a positive mental attitude or relax and accept whatever God has planned. I find that hard to do.
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- February 18, 2013 at 12:18 am
I completely agree with you. I know that feeling, I am going through it at the moment. I had a similar experience before ruling out the possibility of Multiple Sclerosis, waiting for the MRI result that was order just to be sure.
Turned out it is the anxiety that mimic'd all the symptoms of MS. Anxiety makes you lose trust on your own body and everything gets magnified. The motivation on hitting the gym, anything you've been making a progress are starting to hault.
I am not gonna let that happen again, I am going to keep myself busy, getting back to hip hop and lifting hard to stay away from the thoughts of Melanoma until I meet the dermatologist.
I will post back what it is, so people may benefit from it. There are not a lot of articles about single red spots on the sole of the foot online.
Thanks for the support, I hope everything is well in your side.
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- February 18, 2013 at 12:37 am
I'm not sure if it would be any faster, but you could also request a consult with a podiatrist. Since they specialize in feet, then are used to seeing many different things. ANd they also can do a biopsy. Just thought I'd throw that out there as another option.
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- February 18, 2013 at 12:37 am
I'm not sure if it would be any faster, but you could also request a consult with a podiatrist. Since they specialize in feet, then are used to seeing many different things. ANd they also can do a biopsy. Just thought I'd throw that out there as another option.
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- February 18, 2013 at 12:37 am
I'm not sure if it would be any faster, but you could also request a consult with a podiatrist. Since they specialize in feet, then are used to seeing many different things. ANd they also can do a biopsy. Just thought I'd throw that out there as another option.
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- February 18, 2013 at 12:18 am
I completely agree with you. I know that feeling, I am going through it at the moment. I had a similar experience before ruling out the possibility of Multiple Sclerosis, waiting for the MRI result that was order just to be sure.
Turned out it is the anxiety that mimic'd all the symptoms of MS. Anxiety makes you lose trust on your own body and everything gets magnified. The motivation on hitting the gym, anything you've been making a progress are starting to hault.
I am not gonna let that happen again, I am going to keep myself busy, getting back to hip hop and lifting hard to stay away from the thoughts of Melanoma until I meet the dermatologist.
I will post back what it is, so people may benefit from it. There are not a lot of articles about single red spots on the sole of the foot online.
Thanks for the support, I hope everything is well in your side.
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- February 18, 2013 at 12:18 am
I completely agree with you. I know that feeling, I am going through it at the moment. I had a similar experience before ruling out the possibility of Multiple Sclerosis, waiting for the MRI result that was order just to be sure.
Turned out it is the anxiety that mimic'd all the symptoms of MS. Anxiety makes you lose trust on your own body and everything gets magnified. The motivation on hitting the gym, anything you've been making a progress are starting to hault.
I am not gonna let that happen again, I am going to keep myself busy, getting back to hip hop and lifting hard to stay away from the thoughts of Melanoma until I meet the dermatologist.
I will post back what it is, so people may benefit from it. There are not a lot of articles about single red spots on the sole of the foot online.
Thanks for the support, I hope everything is well in your side.
-
- February 18, 2013 at 12:01 am
Yes, I understand. One thing that I have learned during the months of my brother's illness is that the hardest part is the waiting. And while you are waiting, the anxiety builds. I don't know why optimism doesn't build, but it doesn't– it's the anxiety that builds. And you keep thinking, "Once this thing I'm waiting for happens, I can stop worrying." But it seldom works that way. You FINALLY get in to see the derm and he decides to do a biopsy "just to be sure". Then you have to wait for the biopsy results. And the anxiety grows again. And so it goes. I really envy those people who can handle and/or dissipate their anxiety. Who can maintain a positive mental attitude or relax and accept whatever God has planned. I find that hard to do.
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- February 18, 2013 at 12:01 am
Yes, I understand. One thing that I have learned during the months of my brother's illness is that the hardest part is the waiting. And while you are waiting, the anxiety builds. I don't know why optimism doesn't build, but it doesn't– it's the anxiety that builds. And you keep thinking, "Once this thing I'm waiting for happens, I can stop worrying." But it seldom works that way. You FINALLY get in to see the derm and he decides to do a biopsy "just to be sure". Then you have to wait for the biopsy results. And the anxiety grows again. And so it goes. I really envy those people who can handle and/or dissipate their anxiety. Who can maintain a positive mental attitude or relax and accept whatever God has planned. I find that hard to do.
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- February 17, 2013 at 11:43 pm
Thanks for the response POW. I do have access to a dermatologist, but right now I'm in Canada. The health care is free, so there is a wait time for meeting specialists such as dermatologists.
It will take me 4 weeks to meet a dermatologist and I am paranoid about this mole and finding it hard to sleep and have a peace of mind.
It only takes a dermatologist to see it for 2 minutes, I seem to be out of luck getting a date with the dermatologist.
I will let post back what I found out after meeting a dermatologist. -
- February 17, 2013 at 11:43 pm
Thanks for the response POW. I do have access to a dermatologist, but right now I'm in Canada. The health care is free, so there is a wait time for meeting specialists such as dermatologists.
It will take me 4 weeks to meet a dermatologist and I am paranoid about this mole and finding it hard to sleep and have a peace of mind.
It only takes a dermatologist to see it for 2 minutes, I seem to be out of luck getting a date with the dermatologist.
I will let post back what I found out after meeting a dermatologist.
-
- February 17, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Whenever anyone has a suspicious-looking lesion I think that the smart thing to do is go to a dermatologist who has experience with melanoma. If that doctor says the lesion is "nothing to worry about" I would feel better, but I would also continue to keep an eye on it or (even better) take photos periodically and be alert if the lesion changes. Even ordinary moles can sometimes become cancerous over time.
Look at it this way, if I said– or if every single person on this forum said– "it's nothing", would you be wise to take our word over that of an experienced dermatologist?
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- February 18, 2013 at 2:34 am
i would not want that on my heel. better safe than sory…biopsy it. You can necer say anything is 1,000% in medicine. Good Luck
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- February 18, 2013 at 8:48 pm
What if the dermatologist says nah its alright don't worry about it without any explanation?
It is hard not to worry about it until we know for sure its not a problem. Can I request a biopsy even if the dermatologist thinks it's not necessary?
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- February 18, 2013 at 8:48 pm
What if the dermatologist says nah its alright don't worry about it without any explanation?
It is hard not to worry about it until we know for sure its not a problem. Can I request a biopsy even if the dermatologist thinks it's not necessary?
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- February 18, 2013 at 8:48 pm
What if the dermatologist says nah its alright don't worry about it without any explanation?
It is hard not to worry about it until we know for sure its not a problem. Can I request a biopsy even if the dermatologist thinks it's not necessary?
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- February 18, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Your body, your insurance, your money, your health. If you want a biopsy, demand one.
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- February 18, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Your body, your insurance, your money, your health. If you want a biopsy, demand one.
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- February 19, 2013 at 11:26 am
Hi,
I have always heard that moles on the soles of your feet (or even sides), between toes or on the palms of your hands (or between fingers) are not normal and they need to be removed and biopsied. Also black spots undeer toenails and fingernails as well. Go to a dermatologist who is experienced with melanoma. Can your primary care doctor speed things up?
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a NED
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- February 19, 2013 at 11:26 am
Hi,
I have always heard that moles on the soles of your feet (or even sides), between toes or on the palms of your hands (or between fingers) are not normal and they need to be removed and biopsied. Also black spots undeer toenails and fingernails as well. Go to a dermatologist who is experienced with melanoma. Can your primary care doctor speed things up?
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a NED
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- February 19, 2013 at 11:26 am
Hi,
I have always heard that moles on the soles of your feet (or even sides), between toes or on the palms of your hands (or between fingers) are not normal and they need to be removed and biopsied. Also black spots undeer toenails and fingernails as well. Go to a dermatologist who is experienced with melanoma. Can your primary care doctor speed things up?
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a NED
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- February 18, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Your body, your insurance, your money, your health. If you want a biopsy, demand one.
-
- February 19, 2013 at 4:34 pm
certainly here in the US you could request a biopsy. If your derm doesn't want to take it off express to them the very real fear that you have and be as insistant as you can about the biopsy. And be sure to express how much it has CHANGED. change is a big factor
I also agree with Janner that if you can get in to see a Podiatrist first, you should try that. They might even be willing and able to do the biopsy for you.
For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.
But, get that spot checked for your own peace of mind.
good luck,
dian
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- February 19, 2013 at 4:34 pm
certainly here in the US you could request a biopsy. If your derm doesn't want to take it off express to them the very real fear that you have and be as insistant as you can about the biopsy. And be sure to express how much it has CHANGED. change is a big factor
I also agree with Janner that if you can get in to see a Podiatrist first, you should try that. They might even be willing and able to do the biopsy for you.
For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.
But, get that spot checked for your own peace of mind.
good luck,
dian
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- February 20, 2013 at 12:16 am
I was so happy that I managed to get an appointment with a dermatologist today due to some cancelled appointment. But like I was afraid, the dermatologist took one look and dismissed it. He said it is a birth mark initially and then I denied that I saw it only 1 and a half ago. Then he said it doesn't look like Melanoma, it could be capillaries and refused to do a biopsy. I insisted so much that I may get married next year so I want to be sure that I am okay and cannot take a risk. His words were, "I don't know if I want to do a biopsy and instead said, I can maybe refer you to a cosmetic surgeon who will call you. Show it to him and he will probably take it out. It may or may not be covered in your free health care. And this is my favourite, Are you planning to do anything for your acne scars? I didn't want to punch him and get arrested.
He was only with me for 3 minutes maximum and rushed me out. Worst health care ever in Canada, because they think it's free.
I was very irritated and went to another general practitioner to refer me to another dermatologist, he looked at it and said he doesn't know what it is, but he can do a biopsy next week, just going to take a little piece from it or he can send me to another dermatologist.
I'm convinced that many dermatologists have no clues what they are doing.Sorry about the rant!
I am planning to go back to India if nothing works, I never had any problems with doctors back home. They are always there, because you pay them and they do their jobs, no waiting no BS. -
- February 20, 2013 at 12:16 am
I was so happy that I managed to get an appointment with a dermatologist today due to some cancelled appointment. But like I was afraid, the dermatologist took one look and dismissed it. He said it is a birth mark initially and then I denied that I saw it only 1 and a half ago. Then he said it doesn't look like Melanoma, it could be capillaries and refused to do a biopsy. I insisted so much that I may get married next year so I want to be sure that I am okay and cannot take a risk. His words were, "I don't know if I want to do a biopsy and instead said, I can maybe refer you to a cosmetic surgeon who will call you. Show it to him and he will probably take it out. It may or may not be covered in your free health care. And this is my favourite, Are you planning to do anything for your acne scars? I didn't want to punch him and get arrested.
He was only with me for 3 minutes maximum and rushed me out. Worst health care ever in Canada, because they think it's free.
I was very irritated and went to another general practitioner to refer me to another dermatologist, he looked at it and said he doesn't know what it is, but he can do a biopsy next week, just going to take a little piece from it or he can send me to another dermatologist.
I'm convinced that many dermatologists have no clues what they are doing.Sorry about the rant!
I am planning to go back to India if nothing works, I never had any problems with doctors back home. They are always there, because you pay them and they do their jobs, no waiting no BS. -
- February 20, 2013 at 12:16 am
I was so happy that I managed to get an appointment with a dermatologist today due to some cancelled appointment. But like I was afraid, the dermatologist took one look and dismissed it. He said it is a birth mark initially and then I denied that I saw it only 1 and a half ago. Then he said it doesn't look like Melanoma, it could be capillaries and refused to do a biopsy. I insisted so much that I may get married next year so I want to be sure that I am okay and cannot take a risk. His words were, "I don't know if I want to do a biopsy and instead said, I can maybe refer you to a cosmetic surgeon who will call you. Show it to him and he will probably take it out. It may or may not be covered in your free health care. And this is my favourite, Are you planning to do anything for your acne scars? I didn't want to punch him and get arrested.
He was only with me for 3 minutes maximum and rushed me out. Worst health care ever in Canada, because they think it's free.
I was very irritated and went to another general practitioner to refer me to another dermatologist, he looked at it and said he doesn't know what it is, but he can do a biopsy next week, just going to take a little piece from it or he can send me to another dermatologist.
I'm convinced that many dermatologists have no clues what they are doing.Sorry about the rant!
I am planning to go back to India if nothing works, I never had any problems with doctors back home. They are always there, because you pay them and they do their jobs, no waiting no BS. -
- February 20, 2013 at 6:07 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
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- February 20, 2013 at 6:07 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:07 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:14 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:14 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:14 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:19 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:19 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:19 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:20 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 6:20 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
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- February 20, 2013 at 6:20 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
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- February 20, 2013 at 8:10 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 8:10 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 8:10 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 8:10 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 8:10 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 8:10 am
[Quote] For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.[Quote]
Thanks Dian. No I don't think I wear the same shoes I have many shoes that I wear and none of them having anything inside. I do know that I had this for at least 1.5 years and it never pained even once.
I am only alarmed because I recently learned about Melanoma and was concerned. Read many stories where it's almost always the dermatologists ignore it and the patient insists on biopsy which came back positive for Melanoma. What's the big deal why do they ignore biopsy anyway? 5 minutes of their work could give assurance if they did the biopsy.
That's why I am scared if this could be Melanoma and by the time I take it out I didn't want it to be too late. Thanks again so far 2 doctors and you said it doesn't look like Melanoma, let's see.
I will update again.
-
- February 20, 2013 at 8:13 am
Oh my god, my browser has some problems and it keeps posting the same message over and over again. Can I somehow delete them? I am so sorry for this.
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- February 20, 2013 at 8:13 am
Oh my god, my browser has some problems and it keeps posting the same message over and over again. Can I somehow delete them? I am so sorry for this.
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- February 20, 2013 at 8:13 am
Oh my god, my browser has some problems and it keeps posting the same message over and over again. Can I somehow delete them? I am so sorry for this.
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- February 21, 2013 at 5:05 am
This site is very slow posting. There is no way to delete your posts. Just remember to only hit Submit ONCE. It takes forever but it will post.
I agree with dian, I think it is unlikely to be melanoma either. Even in the US, it isn't always easy to convince a doctor to biopsy something they think is benign. It's not related to free care or insurance, but the assurance that the doc thinks he knows what he is doing. Most of the time, he's probably right. Yes, there are exceptions and yes, you're more likely to see the exceptions on a site like this. If it's really benign and ends up causing no issues, why would anyone post here? Exceptions are the people who post here!
Question? Does it change color at all if you press on it?
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- February 21, 2013 at 5:05 am
This site is very slow posting. There is no way to delete your posts. Just remember to only hit Submit ONCE. It takes forever but it will post.
I agree with dian, I think it is unlikely to be melanoma either. Even in the US, it isn't always easy to convince a doctor to biopsy something they think is benign. It's not related to free care or insurance, but the assurance that the doc thinks he knows what he is doing. Most of the time, he's probably right. Yes, there are exceptions and yes, you're more likely to see the exceptions on a site like this. If it's really benign and ends up causing no issues, why would anyone post here? Exceptions are the people who post here!
Question? Does it change color at all if you press on it?
-
- February 21, 2013 at 5:05 am
This site is very slow posting. There is no way to delete your posts. Just remember to only hit Submit ONCE. It takes forever but it will post.
I agree with dian, I think it is unlikely to be melanoma either. Even in the US, it isn't always easy to convince a doctor to biopsy something they think is benign. It's not related to free care or insurance, but the assurance that the doc thinks he knows what he is doing. Most of the time, he's probably right. Yes, there are exceptions and yes, you're more likely to see the exceptions on a site like this. If it's really benign and ends up causing no issues, why would anyone post here? Exceptions are the people who post here!
Question? Does it change color at all if you press on it?
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- February 21, 2013 at 7:49 am
You are right. It makes sense how only the exception will be posted on a site like this. Thanks for the awesome response.
It doesn't change colour when I press, right now it is full red. On the day I took the pic it had a little bit of dead skin over it causing it to be blackish red, but the GP who saw me scraped out the dead skin to see it clearly.
It is a bright fully red patch underneath. It never itches or bother me either, my friends told me a trick but I feel uncomfortable lying to the doctor that it is itching so they would biopsy it..
Should it change colour when you press on it? Whats the idea behind it?
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- February 21, 2013 at 7:49 am
You are right. It makes sense how only the exception will be posted on a site like this. Thanks for the awesome response.
It doesn't change colour when I press, right now it is full red. On the day I took the pic it had a little bit of dead skin over it causing it to be blackish red, but the GP who saw me scraped out the dead skin to see it clearly.
It is a bright fully red patch underneath. It never itches or bother me either, my friends told me a trick but I feel uncomfortable lying to the doctor that it is itching so they would biopsy it..
Should it change colour when you press on it? Whats the idea behind it?
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- February 21, 2013 at 7:49 am
You are right. It makes sense how only the exception will be posted on a site like this. Thanks for the awesome response.
It doesn't change colour when I press, right now it is full red. On the day I took the pic it had a little bit of dead skin over it causing it to be blackish red, but the GP who saw me scraped out the dead skin to see it clearly.
It is a bright fully red patch underneath. It never itches or bother me either, my friends told me a trick but I feel uncomfortable lying to the doctor that it is itching so they would biopsy it..
Should it change colour when you press on it? Whats the idea behind it?
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- February 21, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Hemangiomas change color when pressed upon. They are basically areas of blood vessels much closer to the surface of the skin and often appear as red "moles". So if you press on it and it blanches, it is most likely blood vessel related. However, that doesn't mean because yours doesn't blanche is it something more. Yours could be located deeper.
Itching is a sign of "change" and can be an indication of something going on. It doesn't mean it indicates malignancy, however. And not all malignant lesions itch. Saying something itches or has changed is a red flag and the doctor should pay attention to that. Since this appeared, has it changed at all?
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- February 21, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Hemangiomas change color when pressed upon. They are basically areas of blood vessels much closer to the surface of the skin and often appear as red "moles". So if you press on it and it blanches, it is most likely blood vessel related. However, that doesn't mean because yours doesn't blanche is it something more. Yours could be located deeper.
Itching is a sign of "change" and can be an indication of something going on. It doesn't mean it indicates malignancy, however. And not all malignant lesions itch. Saying something itches or has changed is a red flag and the doctor should pay attention to that. Since this appeared, has it changed at all?
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- February 21, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Hemangiomas change color when pressed upon. They are basically areas of blood vessels much closer to the surface of the skin and often appear as red "moles". So if you press on it and it blanches, it is most likely blood vessel related. However, that doesn't mean because yours doesn't blanche is it something more. Yours could be located deeper.
Itching is a sign of "change" and can be an indication of something going on. It doesn't mean it indicates malignancy, however. And not all malignant lesions itch. Saying something itches or has changed is a red flag and the doctor should pay attention to that. Since this appeared, has it changed at all?
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- February 21, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Honestly I don't know if it really grew. I do know that it was a red spot when I first saw it, like a dot in religious Indian girls forehead.
But, the only reason I am thinking it grew is because of it is sort of irregular looking edges. I could be wrong as well, I was never a fan of going to doctors and was totally the opposite of hypochondriac.
But lately due to the suspecion of having MS and went through that anxiety and turned out to be normal, I sometimes got alarmed by things and this red patch is the thing that worries me now after it fit with the melanoma diagnosis and being a brown person getting it on the foot. Also another thing is
Back to the question, If I closely look at it, like really closely..I see that the edges look like little red nerves branching out. But if I took a picture and zoomed out from a distance it looks like a mole. It is fully red.
It never itched, never pained. I think if they scrap out the skin, the immediate skin wont be this red patch, as the skin itself is transparent and whatever this red patch is, it is under the initial layer of the transparent/translucent skin.
When I wash it, it is clear bright red, if the foot is dirty it is dark red.
Addtiional facts are, , I hate sun. I love winter, one of the reasons I relocated to Caanda. I pretty much hide from the sun, in my life I was never exposed to sun light for more 10 mins regularly. I don't go out if it is a hot sunny day and prefer to work from home.I lived in India in the early part of my life and hated sunny days
What are the chances of getting it if you don't get exposed to sun?
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- February 21, 2013 at 7:04 pm
I understand your concern 1,000 %. I will be blunt…If you had it for over a yr?? and if the area has not become worse, meaning pain, bleeding, and looks of an infection, it could just be a hemangioma or trauma from say a shoe. Melanoma has fooled many. My brother was a victim to this as many of us on this forum. Some of us had moles with no color…and it was melanoma. My brother thought his was a splinter…he just died a few months ago from melanoma…it was no splinter.
Go to the doctor. Melanoma is caused by genetics and sun exposure. If one doctor "blows you off for a biopsy " then you find one that will biospsy. Remember you pay the consequence…not them. If your "gut" tells you something is wrong with your body then its wrong until proven otherwise.
Keep us posted.
Regards
Sam
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- February 21, 2013 at 7:04 pm
I understand your concern 1,000 %. I will be blunt…If you had it for over a yr?? and if the area has not become worse, meaning pain, bleeding, and looks of an infection, it could just be a hemangioma or trauma from say a shoe. Melanoma has fooled many. My brother was a victim to this as many of us on this forum. Some of us had moles with no color…and it was melanoma. My brother thought his was a splinter…he just died a few months ago from melanoma…it was no splinter.
Go to the doctor. Melanoma is caused by genetics and sun exposure. If one doctor "blows you off for a biopsy " then you find one that will biospsy. Remember you pay the consequence…not them. If your "gut" tells you something is wrong with your body then its wrong until proven otherwise.
Keep us posted.
Regards
Sam
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- February 21, 2013 at 7:04 pm
I understand your concern 1,000 %. I will be blunt…If you had it for over a yr?? and if the area has not become worse, meaning pain, bleeding, and looks of an infection, it could just be a hemangioma or trauma from say a shoe. Melanoma has fooled many. My brother was a victim to this as many of us on this forum. Some of us had moles with no color…and it was melanoma. My brother thought his was a splinter…he just died a few months ago from melanoma…it was no splinter.
Go to the doctor. Melanoma is caused by genetics and sun exposure. If one doctor "blows you off for a biopsy " then you find one that will biospsy. Remember you pay the consequence…not them. If your "gut" tells you something is wrong with your body then its wrong until proven otherwise.
Keep us posted.
Regards
Sam
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- February 21, 2013 at 7:37 pm
I don't think Acral melanoma is considered to be tied to sun exposure. Darker skinned people have the extra melanin to protect themselves from the sun unlike lighter skinned people. I believe Acral is a different beast with different causes. I, too, think if this were melanoma and had this for a long time, things would have changed more dramatically. But the biopsy is the only way you can know for certain.
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- February 21, 2013 at 7:37 pm
I don't think Acral melanoma is considered to be tied to sun exposure. Darker skinned people have the extra melanin to protect themselves from the sun unlike lighter skinned people. I believe Acral is a different beast with different causes. I, too, think if this were melanoma and had this for a long time, things would have changed more dramatically. But the biopsy is the only way you can know for certain.
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- February 21, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for the response guys. I don't know if it could be a trauma, if it is Trauama wouldn't it have cleared up by now? I was hiking a long time ago, and did walk for a few KMS barefoot for a religious thing. I dont recall having any injury either.
Janner, When you say things would have changed you mean like the locally around the spot itself would have gotten worse and bleeding ulcer etc? or you mean over all physically, it would show up via being sick etc I only have positive change about me. In these 2 years is I got into fitnes, lost a lot of fat, gained a lot of muscles, I worked out so hard and going to compete in natural bodybuilding in a few months. I am much healthier than I used to be.
Do you think it would have shown it physically by being sick?
However, I got an appointment with another Dermatologist this Monday after so many phone calls and requests, hopefully she will cut it out. If it is hemangioma, those are just vessels right? Would it cause any problems cutting out the blood vessels?
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- February 21, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for the response guys. I don't know if it could be a trauma, if it is Trauama wouldn't it have cleared up by now? I was hiking a long time ago, and did walk for a few KMS barefoot for a religious thing. I dont recall having any injury either.
Janner, When you say things would have changed you mean like the locally around the spot itself would have gotten worse and bleeding ulcer etc? or you mean over all physically, it would show up via being sick etc I only have positive change about me. In these 2 years is I got into fitnes, lost a lot of fat, gained a lot of muscles, I worked out so hard and going to compete in natural bodybuilding in a few months. I am much healthier than I used to be.
Do you think it would have shown it physically by being sick?
However, I got an appointment with another Dermatologist this Monday after so many phone calls and requests, hopefully she will cut it out. If it is hemangioma, those are just vessels right? Would it cause any problems cutting out the blood vessels?
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- February 21, 2013 at 11:22 pm
No, I don't believe you would have any side effects from something like this. I mean changed physically. You yourself pointed out the ABCDE's of melanoma. Has it gotten larger, more irregular edges, raised, bleed, itch… stuff like that. No, it is not an issue to remove a hemangioma. They will just cauterize stuff which they normally do anyway.
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- February 21, 2013 at 11:22 pm
No, I don't believe you would have any side effects from something like this. I mean changed physically. You yourself pointed out the ABCDE's of melanoma. Has it gotten larger, more irregular edges, raised, bleed, itch… stuff like that. No, it is not an issue to remove a hemangioma. They will just cauterize stuff which they normally do anyway.
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- February 21, 2013 at 11:22 pm
No, I don't believe you would have any side effects from something like this. I mean changed physically. You yourself pointed out the ABCDE's of melanoma. Has it gotten larger, more irregular edges, raised, bleed, itch… stuff like that. No, it is not an issue to remove a hemangioma. They will just cauterize stuff which they normally do anyway.
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- February 21, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for the response guys. I don't know if it could be a trauma, if it is Trauama wouldn't it have cleared up by now? I was hiking a long time ago, and did walk for a few KMS barefoot for a religious thing. I dont recall having any injury either.
Janner, When you say things would have changed you mean like the locally around the spot itself would have gotten worse and bleeding ulcer etc? or you mean over all physically, it would show up via being sick etc I only have positive change about me. In these 2 years is I got into fitnes, lost a lot of fat, gained a lot of muscles, I worked out so hard and going to compete in natural bodybuilding in a few months. I am much healthier than I used to be.
Do you think it would have shown it physically by being sick?
However, I got an appointment with another Dermatologist this Monday after so many phone calls and requests, hopefully she will cut it out. If it is hemangioma, those are just vessels right? Would it cause any problems cutting out the blood vessels?
-
- February 21, 2013 at 7:37 pm
I don't think Acral melanoma is considered to be tied to sun exposure. Darker skinned people have the extra melanin to protect themselves from the sun unlike lighter skinned people. I believe Acral is a different beast with different causes. I, too, think if this were melanoma and had this for a long time, things would have changed more dramatically. But the biopsy is the only way you can know for certain.
-
- February 21, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Honestly I don't know if it really grew. I do know that it was a red spot when I first saw it, like a dot in religious Indian girls forehead.
But, the only reason I am thinking it grew is because of it is sort of irregular looking edges. I could be wrong as well, I was never a fan of going to doctors and was totally the opposite of hypochondriac.
But lately due to the suspecion of having MS and went through that anxiety and turned out to be normal, I sometimes got alarmed by things and this red patch is the thing that worries me now after it fit with the melanoma diagnosis and being a brown person getting it on the foot. Also another thing is
Back to the question, If I closely look at it, like really closely..I see that the edges look like little red nerves branching out. But if I took a picture and zoomed out from a distance it looks like a mole. It is fully red.
It never itched, never pained. I think if they scrap out the skin, the immediate skin wont be this red patch, as the skin itself is transparent and whatever this red patch is, it is under the initial layer of the transparent/translucent skin.
When I wash it, it is clear bright red, if the foot is dirty it is dark red.
Addtiional facts are, , I hate sun. I love winter, one of the reasons I relocated to Caanda. I pretty much hide from the sun, in my life I was never exposed to sun light for more 10 mins regularly. I don't go out if it is a hot sunny day and prefer to work from home.I lived in India in the early part of my life and hated sunny days
What are the chances of getting it if you don't get exposed to sun?
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- February 21, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Honestly I don't know if it really grew. I do know that it was a red spot when I first saw it, like a dot in religious Indian girls forehead.
But, the only reason I am thinking it grew is because of it is sort of irregular looking edges. I could be wrong as well, I was never a fan of going to doctors and was totally the opposite of hypochondriac.
But lately due to the suspecion of having MS and went through that anxiety and turned out to be normal, I sometimes got alarmed by things and this red patch is the thing that worries me now after it fit with the melanoma diagnosis and being a brown person getting it on the foot. Also another thing is
Back to the question, If I closely look at it, like really closely..I see that the edges look like little red nerves branching out. But if I took a picture and zoomed out from a distance it looks like a mole. It is fully red.
It never itched, never pained. I think if they scrap out the skin, the immediate skin wont be this red patch, as the skin itself is transparent and whatever this red patch is, it is under the initial layer of the transparent/translucent skin.
When I wash it, it is clear bright red, if the foot is dirty it is dark red.
Addtiional facts are, , I hate sun. I love winter, one of the reasons I relocated to Caanda. I pretty much hide from the sun, in my life I was never exposed to sun light for more 10 mins regularly. I don't go out if it is a hot sunny day and prefer to work from home.I lived in India in the early part of my life and hated sunny days
What are the chances of getting it if you don't get exposed to sun?
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- February 19, 2013 at 4:34 pm
certainly here in the US you could request a biopsy. If your derm doesn't want to take it off express to them the very real fear that you have and be as insistant as you can about the biopsy. And be sure to express how much it has CHANGED. change is a big factor
I also agree with Janner that if you can get in to see a Podiatrist first, you should try that. They might even be willing and able to do the biopsy for you.
For your own sake, I'll say that this looks very little like melanoma to me (I am not a doctor) so try not to make yourself sick with worry while you wait for this appointment.
Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear a LOT? check the inside of those shoes to see if there is some irregularity, bump or something, that might be actually rubbing up against this spot causing irritation that you can't neccessarily feel.
But, get that spot checked for your own peace of mind.
good luck,
dian
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- February 23, 2013 at 4:39 am
Hello darktranceeee,
Hello darktranceeee,
I feel a certain relationship to you as a dark skinned person with an American Indian background. (Does that really mean an India Indian background?)
I do not mean to cause you extra stress, though you will feel some after you read this.
You do NOT have enough information to get paranoid! Don't let melanoma win if you only have a busted blood vessel (Paranoia can do that to us!). Do be vigilant. Get the info that you need to be sure of your status. If it is a vessel it should be simple to seal and even may so it by itself. Learn what it is,
I strongly urge you to push hard to get the spot removed if there is any change in it. Color, size, thickness feeling of it (besides from your feeling it excessively!) I believe that any spot that changes should be looked at closely regardless of the ABCD of it, E (Evolving) should be the basic concern. I never had a mole that matched the A, B, C nor D. I can not rule out Melanoma from the picture. The toughness of the sole skin will somewhat reduce the protruding of a tumor. You would be more likely to feel a lump when you step on it if there is a tumor there. I had a large hard lump that developed in my palm that was painful and prevented me from bending my fingers at a ninety degree angle. It was a non-malignant growth that was removed years before I had my melanoma develop elsewhere. I have known people that what they were told was a bruise turned out to be a melanoma tumor. In most cases it is not, but the earlier one knows for sure, the better. The 6 millimeter is a meaningless number to me. In many cases color is also very misleading. All my tumors have been extremely black. Many peoples are not. No one in my family has ever had melanoma and mine definitely is not sun related.
Your dermatologist should be aware that people have been educated to watch birthmarks closely because they ass have been found to be more likely to develop melanoma than clear skin. Even when a derm says “ it is alright” I recommend going with ones gut as to what they feel should be done. You are the one that has to live with it, not the derm! I have never even asked my Onc if he wanted to do a Biopsy. I have told them when I wanted one done. If you get it removed make sure that it is sent to either a pathologist or at least a dermatopathologist for testing.
I also urge you to look for someone who has experience with acral lentiginous melanoma. Most dermatologist and even most Melanoma specialists have limited experience with this type.
As far as sickness or such, NO, early melanoma often does not cause many physical symptoms. The treatment causes more than the earlier disease. I have known of too many people that were out playing golf and being very physically active up to two month before their deaths from melanoma.
We get melanoma in locations that never got sunburned and some that never even saw the sun. It is often more deadly in dark skinned people because the general North American Doctors do not see us as candidates for melanoma and it gets too far advanced to be "cured" before they diagnose it correctly. I was mis-diagnosed for over 3 1/2 years by a GP that didn't think it possible for me to have “skin cancer”. It took me 5 years to reach stage IV after I started complaining to my general practitioner. A biopsy in 2002 would most likely have removed my problem for life, now it is not known if I will even ever be NED (No Evidence of Disease -on scans) again. I was told I had a life expectancy of 2 to six months in Feb 2007.
I refused to accept that I was dead and plotted my own course and got Melanoma Specialist involved that would listen to me and work with me. (Still have never seen a dermatologist!) I still have innumerable stage IV tumors, but have a decent quality of life. I have a contact in Canada (BC) that has gotten very involved in the health care field and politics there since her husband died around 2001 due to the lack of adequate care for Melanoma patients. Many Canadians come to the USA for advanced melanoma treatment. Many locations in Canada do not even have hospital beds for overnight stays of melanoma patients, therefor certain treatments are not even available in Canada.
Push to be sure!
-
- February 23, 2013 at 6:23 am
Thank you for your response Jerry. I am sorry for what you went through, I hate it when doctors disarm any concern the patients have.
I thank you very much for being positive about this and spreading the knowledge you gained with your experiences to the people. It is very helpful. Thank you.
I did feel a bit stressed after I read your response but it is only going to push me harder to get this done. I have an appointment with a new derm this week and I am going to beg, bribe whatever is needed to get this done, regardless of what he thinks it is.
If he blows me off I will travel to any country that will do it right away without asking questions or passing opinions.
Mine was never dark, and is never dark. The pictures I showed earlier due to bad lighting I guess looks a bit darker. I reshot the patch with my canon and uploaded it here, high rez and high quality. Please check it out if you are interested, and see the difference.
The GP scarped off the dead cells and it is bright clear red now, I did wash the feet but please excuse the dirt in them.
It is very red, it was never black, I wish I had a pic of my feet from 2 years ago to compare, I have no memories of anything. I wil know what it is soon.
Please check out the new pics though.
-
- February 23, 2013 at 6:23 am
Thank you for your response Jerry. I am sorry for what you went through, I hate it when doctors disarm any concern the patients have.
I thank you very much for being positive about this and spreading the knowledge you gained with your experiences to the people. It is very helpful. Thank you.
I did feel a bit stressed after I read your response but it is only going to push me harder to get this done. I have an appointment with a new derm this week and I am going to beg, bribe whatever is needed to get this done, regardless of what he thinks it is.
If he blows me off I will travel to any country that will do it right away without asking questions or passing opinions.
Mine was never dark, and is never dark. The pictures I showed earlier due to bad lighting I guess looks a bit darker. I reshot the patch with my canon and uploaded it here, high rez and high quality. Please check it out if you are interested, and see the difference.
The GP scarped off the dead cells and it is bright clear red now, I did wash the feet but please excuse the dirt in them.
It is very red, it was never black, I wish I had a pic of my feet from 2 years ago to compare, I have no memories of anything. I wil know what it is soon.
Please check out the new pics though.
-
- February 23, 2013 at 6:23 am
Thank you for your response Jerry. I am sorry for what you went through, I hate it when doctors disarm any concern the patients have.
I thank you very much for being positive about this and spreading the knowledge you gained with your experiences to the people. It is very helpful. Thank you.
I did feel a bit stressed after I read your response but it is only going to push me harder to get this done. I have an appointment with a new derm this week and I am going to beg, bribe whatever is needed to get this done, regardless of what he thinks it is.
If he blows me off I will travel to any country that will do it right away without asking questions or passing opinions.
Mine was never dark, and is never dark. The pictures I showed earlier due to bad lighting I guess looks a bit darker. I reshot the patch with my canon and uploaded it here, high rez and high quality. Please check it out if you are interested, and see the difference.
The GP scarped off the dead cells and it is bright clear red now, I did wash the feet but please excuse the dirt in them.
It is very red, it was never black, I wish I had a pic of my feet from 2 years ago to compare, I have no memories of anything. I wil know what it is soon.
Please check out the new pics though.
-
- March 20, 2013 at 5:42 pm
You will drive your self crazy until u get it checked out. Find a new dermatologist and tell them u have a family history of melanoma and ask them to shave or punch it and send it out for biopsy. If insurance won’t pay, pay for it yourself. Why take chances and drive your self crazy. Yes, maybe you are being paranoid but there are quite a few people dead from melanoma that could have been more paranoid and proactive around skin changes. -
- March 20, 2013 at 5:42 pm
You will drive your self crazy until u get it checked out. Find a new dermatologist and tell them u have a family history of melanoma and ask them to shave or punch it and send it out for biopsy. If insurance won’t pay, pay for it yourself. Why take chances and drive your self crazy. Yes, maybe you are being paranoid but there are quite a few people dead from melanoma that could have been more paranoid and proactive around skin changes. -
- March 20, 2013 at 5:42 pm
You will drive your self crazy until u get it checked out. Find a new dermatologist and tell them u have a family history of melanoma and ask them to shave or punch it and send it out for biopsy. If insurance won’t pay, pay for it yourself. Why take chances and drive your self crazy. Yes, maybe you are being paranoid but there are quite a few people dead from melanoma that could have been more paranoid and proactive around skin changes.
-
- February 23, 2013 at 4:39 am
Hello darktranceeee,
Hello darktranceeee,
I feel a certain relationship to you as a dark skinned person with an American Indian background. (Does that really mean an India Indian background?)
I do not mean to cause you extra stress, though you will feel some after you read this.
You do NOT have enough information to get paranoid! Don't let melanoma win if you only have a busted blood vessel (Paranoia can do that to us!). Do be vigilant. Get the info that you need to be sure of your status. If it is a vessel it should be simple to seal and even may so it by itself. Learn what it is,
I strongly urge you to push hard to get the spot removed if there is any change in it. Color, size, thickness feeling of it (besides from your feeling it excessively!) I believe that any spot that changes should be looked at closely regardless of the ABCD of it, E (Evolving) should be the basic concern. I never had a mole that matched the A, B, C nor D. I can not rule out Melanoma from the picture. The toughness of the sole skin will somewhat reduce the protruding of a tumor. You would be more likely to feel a lump when you step on it if there is a tumor there. I had a large hard lump that developed in my palm that was painful and prevented me from bending my fingers at a ninety degree angle. It was a non-malignant growth that was removed years before I had my melanoma develop elsewhere. I have known people that what they were told was a bruise turned out to be a melanoma tumor. In most cases it is not, but the earlier one knows for sure, the better. The 6 millimeter is a meaningless number to me. In many cases color is also very misleading. All my tumors have been extremely black. Many peoples are not. No one in my family has ever had melanoma and mine definitely is not sun related.
Your dermatologist should be aware that people have been educated to watch birthmarks closely because they ass have been found to be more likely to develop melanoma than clear skin. Even when a derm says “ it is alright” I recommend going with ones gut as to what they feel should be done. You are the one that has to live with it, not the derm! I have never even asked my Onc if he wanted to do a Biopsy. I have told them when I wanted one done. If you get it removed make sure that it is sent to either a pathologist or at least a dermatopathologist for testing.
I also urge you to look for someone who has experience with acral lentiginous melanoma. Most dermatologist and even most Melanoma specialists have limited experience with this type.
As far as sickness or such, NO, early melanoma often does not cause many physical symptoms. The treatment causes more than the earlier disease. I have known of too many people that were out playing golf and being very physically active up to two month before their deaths from melanoma.
We get melanoma in locations that never got sunburned and some that never even saw the sun. It is often more deadly in dark skinned people because the general North American Doctors do not see us as candidates for melanoma and it gets too far advanced to be "cured" before they diagnose it correctly. I was mis-diagnosed for over 3 1/2 years by a GP that didn't think it possible for me to have “skin cancer”. It took me 5 years to reach stage IV after I started complaining to my general practitioner. A biopsy in 2002 would most likely have removed my problem for life, now it is not known if I will even ever be NED (No Evidence of Disease -on scans) again. I was told I had a life expectancy of 2 to six months in Feb 2007.
I refused to accept that I was dead and plotted my own course and got Melanoma Specialist involved that would listen to me and work with me. (Still have never seen a dermatologist!) I still have innumerable stage IV tumors, but have a decent quality of life. I have a contact in Canada (BC) that has gotten very involved in the health care field and politics there since her husband died around 2001 due to the lack of adequate care for Melanoma patients. Many Canadians come to the USA for advanced melanoma treatment. Many locations in Canada do not even have hospital beds for overnight stays of melanoma patients, therefor certain treatments are not even available in Canada.
Push to be sure!
-
- February 23, 2013 at 4:39 am
Hello darktranceeee,
Hello darktranceeee,
I feel a certain relationship to you as a dark skinned person with an American Indian background. (Does that really mean an India Indian background?)
I do not mean to cause you extra stress, though you will feel some after you read this.
You do NOT have enough information to get paranoid! Don't let melanoma win if you only have a busted blood vessel (Paranoia can do that to us!). Do be vigilant. Get the info that you need to be sure of your status. If it is a vessel it should be simple to seal and even may so it by itself. Learn what it is,
I strongly urge you to push hard to get the spot removed if there is any change in it. Color, size, thickness feeling of it (besides from your feeling it excessively!) I believe that any spot that changes should be looked at closely regardless of the ABCD of it, E (Evolving) should be the basic concern. I never had a mole that matched the A, B, C nor D. I can not rule out Melanoma from the picture. The toughness of the sole skin will somewhat reduce the protruding of a tumor. You would be more likely to feel a lump when you step on it if there is a tumor there. I had a large hard lump that developed in my palm that was painful and prevented me from bending my fingers at a ninety degree angle. It was a non-malignant growth that was removed years before I had my melanoma develop elsewhere. I have known people that what they were told was a bruise turned out to be a melanoma tumor. In most cases it is not, but the earlier one knows for sure, the better. The 6 millimeter is a meaningless number to me. In many cases color is also very misleading. All my tumors have been extremely black. Many peoples are not. No one in my family has ever had melanoma and mine definitely is not sun related.
Your dermatologist should be aware that people have been educated to watch birthmarks closely because they ass have been found to be more likely to develop melanoma than clear skin. Even when a derm says “ it is alright” I recommend going with ones gut as to what they feel should be done. You are the one that has to live with it, not the derm! I have never even asked my Onc if he wanted to do a Biopsy. I have told them when I wanted one done. If you get it removed make sure that it is sent to either a pathologist or at least a dermatopathologist for testing.
I also urge you to look for someone who has experience with acral lentiginous melanoma. Most dermatologist and even most Melanoma specialists have limited experience with this type.
As far as sickness or such, NO, early melanoma often does not cause many physical symptoms. The treatment causes more than the earlier disease. I have known of too many people that were out playing golf and being very physically active up to two month before their deaths from melanoma.
We get melanoma in locations that never got sunburned and some that never even saw the sun. It is often more deadly in dark skinned people because the general North American Doctors do not see us as candidates for melanoma and it gets too far advanced to be "cured" before they diagnose it correctly. I was mis-diagnosed for over 3 1/2 years by a GP that didn't think it possible for me to have “skin cancer”. It took me 5 years to reach stage IV after I started complaining to my general practitioner. A biopsy in 2002 would most likely have removed my problem for life, now it is not known if I will even ever be NED (No Evidence of Disease -on scans) again. I was told I had a life expectancy of 2 to six months in Feb 2007.
I refused to accept that I was dead and plotted my own course and got Melanoma Specialist involved that would listen to me and work with me. (Still have never seen a dermatologist!) I still have innumerable stage IV tumors, but have a decent quality of life. I have a contact in Canada (BC) that has gotten very involved in the health care field and politics there since her husband died around 2001 due to the lack of adequate care for Melanoma patients. Many Canadians come to the USA for advanced melanoma treatment. Many locations in Canada do not even have hospital beds for overnight stays of melanoma patients, therefor certain treatments are not even available in Canada.
Push to be sure!
-
Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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