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Just a fast question….
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Just a fast question….

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Just a fast question….

  • Post
    • April 28, 2011 at 6:17 pm
    Alanfph
    Participant

      I have had 2 melanoma findings in the past 3 months.  I have a teriffic doctor and he caught them early, both were Stage I (back and leg).  I went for my 2 month checkup and they found 7 moles that are suspicious.  Biops. were taken and I am waiting on the results.  They said this is very rare….but said no more then that.

       

      Does anyone have any thoughts?

      Thanks…

      I have had 2 melanoma findings in the past 3 months.  I have a teriffic doctor and he caught them early, both were Stage I (back and leg).  I went for my 2 month checkup and they found 7 moles that are suspicious.  Biops. were taken and I am waiting on the results.  They said this is very rare….but said no more then that.

       

      Does anyone have any thoughts?

      Thanks…

    Viewing 3 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 28, 2011 at 6:22 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          It's not THAT rare.  About 8% of the melanoma population have more than one primary.  Do you have dysplastic nevus syndrome (lots of atypical moles)?  The thing that most people do who have lots of moles is to watch those moles for change.  You could biopsy everything on your body, but why?  (About 50% of melanoma arise on new moles, not existing).  Anyway, I'd suggest getting photos of your moles, watch them for change, and remove the ones that change or bother you.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

          3 MM primaries, stage I since 1992

            • April 28, 2011 at 6:27 pm
            ValinMtl
            Participant

              Janner's suggestion about photos are an excellent idea!  I attended Boston symposium on melanoma organized by both MPIP and Mass General last year.  A guest speaker who was dermatologist said he always takes photos of those patients with many moles to make comparisons for changes each year.  Val

              • April 28, 2011 at 6:29 pm
              Alanfph
              Participant

                Thanks.  I forgot to mention that I did have photos taken at Moffitt here in Tampa – great suggestion.  My best resource is my wife.  She was the one who found the two cancers on my back!

                • April 28, 2011 at 6:29 pm
                Alanfph
                Participant

                  Thanks.  I forgot to mention that I did have photos taken at Moffitt here in Tampa – great suggestion.  My best resource is my wife.  She was the one who found the two cancers on my back!

                  • April 28, 2011 at 6:30 pm
                  Alanfph
                  Participant

                    Thanks.  I forgot to mention that I did have photos taken at Moffitt here in Tampa – great suggestion.  My best resource is my wife.  She was the one who found the two cancers on my back!

                    • April 28, 2011 at 6:34 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      If you have photos, all the better.  Continue to monitor the ones that change.  Also any that you just have a gut feeling about.  Biopsy those, and hopefully you'll end up like me – a long term stage 1 warrior.  19 years and counting, but with multiple primaries.  Other than that, there's really not much you can do!

                      Janner

                      • April 28, 2011 at 6:38 pm
                      Alanfph
                      Participant

                        Thank you Janner.  I was in the "dumps" a bit but your note cheered me up.  I am not the complaining type and many are worse off then me.  Stay well and in touch.  Alan.

                        • April 28, 2011 at 6:38 pm
                        Alanfph
                        Participant

                          Thank you Janner.  I was in the "dumps" a bit but your note cheered me up.  I am not the complaining type and many are worse off then me.  Stay well and in touch.  Alan.

                          • April 28, 2011 at 6:38 pm
                          Alanfph
                          Participant

                            Thank you Janner.  I was in the "dumps" a bit but your note cheered me up.  I am not the complaining type and many are worse off then me.  Stay well and in touch.  Alan.

                            • April 28, 2011 at 6:38 pm
                            Alanfph
                            Participant

                              Thank you Janner.  I was in the "dumps" a bit but your note cheered me up.  I am not the complaining type and many are worse off then me.  Stay well and in touch.  Alan.

                              • April 28, 2011 at 6:34 pm
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                If you have photos, all the better.  Continue to monitor the ones that change.  Also any that you just have a gut feeling about.  Biopsy those, and hopefully you'll end up like me – a long term stage 1 warrior.  19 years and counting, but with multiple primaries.  Other than that, there's really not much you can do!

                                Janner

                                • April 28, 2011 at 6:30 pm
                                Alanfph
                                Participant

                                  Thanks.  I forgot to mention that I did have photos taken at Moffitt here in Tampa – great suggestion.  My best resource is my wife.  She was the one who found the two cancers on my back!

                                  • April 28, 2011 at 6:27 pm
                                  ValinMtl
                                  Participant

                                    Janner's suggestion about photos are an excellent idea!  I attended Boston symposium on melanoma organized by both MPIP and Mass General last year.  A guest speaker who was dermatologist said he always takes photos of those patients with many moles to make comparisons for changes each year.  Val

                                  • April 28, 2011 at 6:22 pm
                                  Janner
                                  Participant

                                    It's not THAT rare.  About 8% of the melanoma population have more than one primary.  Do you have dysplastic nevus syndrome (lots of atypical moles)?  The thing that most people do who have lots of moles is to watch those moles for change.  You could biopsy everything on your body, but why?  (About 50% of melanoma arise on new moles, not existing).  Anyway, I'd suggest getting photos of your moles, watch them for change, and remove the ones that change or bother you.

                                    Best wishes,

                                    Janner

                                    3 MM primaries, stage I since 1992

                                    • April 28, 2011 at 6:48 pm
                                    MichaelFL
                                    Participant

                                      I have two melanomas as well, (back and chest) and one moderately dysplastic nevus (back).  I also have pictures of several moles I am concerned about and watch them for "change".

                                      Rare is probably not quite the right term. Unlikely is probably better, as about 8% is correct in relation to second primary melanomas. Be aware that the risk of having a third goes up to about 30-40%.

                                      You are doing the right thing too-catching them early.

                                      Let the board know when you get the results.

                                      Michael, stage 1b 2.5 years out.

                                      • April 28, 2011 at 6:48 pm
                                      MichaelFL
                                      Participant

                                        I have two melanomas as well, (back and chest) and one moderately dysplastic nevus (back).  I also have pictures of several moles I am concerned about and watch them for "change".

                                        Rare is probably not quite the right term. Unlikely is probably better, as about 8% is correct in relation to second primary melanomas. Be aware that the risk of having a third goes up to about 30-40%.

                                        You are doing the right thing too-catching them early.

                                        Let the board know when you get the results.

                                        Michael, stage 1b 2.5 years out.

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