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Lump within full thickness skin graft

Forums General Melanoma Community Lump within full thickness skin graft

  • Post
    sarah7606
    Participant
    This is my first time posting and I’m just after a bit of advice if possible,
    I was diagnosed with melanoma in situ with a large flat freckle on my palm in August ‘18, I had a wide local excision and full thickness skin graft in the September. Fast forward to last week and a small red lump developed practically overnight within the graft, in the ‘clear margin’ area between where the original melanoma was and the scar surrounding the skin graft, so I know it’s not a keloid scar, nor is it a blister, cyst or pimple. There’s no broken skin, it doesn’t hurt (the graft is numb anyway) the texture is normal-no scaling or roughness-it’s very small, roughly 4-4mm, it’s not rock hard but it’s firmer than the surrounding skin.
    Has anyone had a recurrence like this within a skin graft, or has anyone had anything like this and it turned out to be totally benign?
    I know my original melanoma was in situ so I should try not to worry, but I’ve read countless cases of either misdiagnosis or in situs which have spread even after removal.
    Many thanks in advance, Sarah
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  • Replies
      guynamedbilly
      Participant
      It’s best not to speculate and just get it checked out. There’s all kinds of possibilities, some good, some bad.
        MarkR
        Participant
        Hi
        I would agree to get it checked out. I have something similar right next to the scar following a large operation to remove a tumour on my tricep. Saw my derm and she thinks it may be a stitch granuloma but having a biopsy inn tuesday to be sure
        Cheers
        Mark
        sarah7606
        Participant
        Thanks for the replies, I’m next seeing my derm in mid July, I have a drs appt this week but I doubt she can tell me much, or move my derm appt forward. Can I ask about the granuloma, do they appear on the scar line or can they appear next to it? This is completely on the skin graft (the skin was taken from the underside of my upper arm, so this also rules out ingrown hair) it’s next to the scar but not on it at all.
        And thank you again for taking the time to reply, I know you’re all going through your own worries, for far longer than me
        Sarah
        MarkR
        Participant
        Hi
        Mine is on the stitch line next to the scar – I’ve not had a skin graft so not sure how they might work. Best thing is to try and relax and wait and see the derm and go from there. It’s easier said than done!!!
        Best wishes
        Mark
      Julie in SoCal
      Participant
      Hi Sarah,

      It’s always good to have this checked out, but it’s very, very possible it’s a stitch working its way out. Skin grafts have lots and lots of them. I “spit stitches” for weeks after my skin graft on my hand.

      Hoping that this is all it is!

      Shalom!
      Julie

        sarah7606
        Participant
        Hi Julie,
        Firstly, I just want to thank you for taking the time to reply to me, given everything that you’re going through. I’ve been lurking in the background of this site since my surgery in September but never found the guts to post anything. (Denial maybe?) and yours is one of the stories I’ve followed the most. You are a warrior!! In the truest sense of the word!

        I am getting this checked out at my next derm appointment, my concern with that is that I had an excellent derm before but she has since left-and her replacement is of the ‘youre a hypochondriac’ variety. I love the NHS, I do, but the downside is we can’t just go searching for a derm. Everything here is referral only.
        I also have a lump on my forearm near my elbow, but because it’s not hard and it’s kind of flat, my GP isn’t remotely concerned about it.

        Love and light to you
        Sarah

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