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Lung symptoms
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Lung symptoms

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Lung symptoms

  • Post
    • April 15, 2015 at 11:49 pm
    looptwelve
    Participant

      Hello all,

      New here, first diagnosed with in situ melanoma two weeks ago and had it immediately removed. I realize this is probably anxiety and paranoia manifesting itself, or complete coincidence, but since a few days after I got the diagnosis I've had some slight phlegm in my throat, and minor pains and tightness in my chest that is not localized to one spot. Minor pains tend to move to different parts of my chest. No cough present and no shortness of breath.

      What I'd like to know is, what are the symptoms of a lung met if they're present?

      I realize it's near impossible to get a lung met from an in situ tumor, but I'm going to see a second dermatologist to get a second opinion on some questionable moles that I don't feel like my first dermatologist paid enough attention to.

      Sorry if this all sounds like newbie material, but I'm trying to figure out if I'm going crazy or if I have a reason for worry.devil

       

      Andrew

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 16, 2015 at 1:13 am
        Janner
        Participant

          Most people with lung mets have no symptoms.  You are right, you are overreacting to an in situ melanoma.  My dad had both lung cancer (non smoker) and mets to the lungs and never had symptoms until late in the game.  Other things were discovered before the lungs.  

          Take photos of your questionable moles.  Check them in lighting you can duplicate monthly.  If something changes, discuss with your doc.  <10% ever have a second primary and in situ is extremely rare to spread.  There just aren't any blood or lymph vessels in the epidermis, so no vehicle to go anywhere.  Researching online will keep anxiety higher… So try and move on if you can.

            • April 16, 2015 at 1:30 am
            liberty04281
            Participant
              Those could be signs of anxiety.
              • April 16, 2015 at 1:30 am
              liberty04281
              Participant
                Those could be signs of anxiety.
                • April 16, 2015 at 1:30 am
                liberty04281
                Participant
                  Those could be signs of anxiety.
                  • April 16, 2015 at 2:28 am
                  looptwelve
                  Participant

                    Thank you very much. I very much agree with the poster after this that it sounds like anxiety. I just wanted to hear how lung mets manifested themselves to prove to myself that I was going crazy. Part of me is paranoid that maybe there is another, far worse mole on me that has spread, but as you said, it's unlikely to develop a second melanoma. I had my concerning moles checked out by the derm who did my Mohs procedure, but I don't feel like she did a very thorough job, thus making me feel the need to see a different dermatologist this week for a thorough, full body check.

                    • April 16, 2015 at 2:28 am
                    looptwelve
                    Participant

                      Thank you very much. I very much agree with the poster after this that it sounds like anxiety. I just wanted to hear how lung mets manifested themselves to prove to myself that I was going crazy. Part of me is paranoid that maybe there is another, far worse mole on me that has spread, but as you said, it's unlikely to develop a second melanoma. I had my concerning moles checked out by the derm who did my Mohs procedure, but I don't feel like she did a very thorough job, thus making me feel the need to see a different dermatologist this week for a thorough, full body check.

                      • April 16, 2015 at 2:28 am
                      looptwelve
                      Participant

                        Thank you very much. I very much agree with the poster after this that it sounds like anxiety. I just wanted to hear how lung mets manifested themselves to prove to myself that I was going crazy. Part of me is paranoid that maybe there is another, far worse mole on me that has spread, but as you said, it's unlikely to develop a second melanoma. I had my concerning moles checked out by the derm who did my Mohs procedure, but I don't feel like she did a very thorough job, thus making me feel the need to see a different dermatologist this week for a thorough, full body check.

                      • April 16, 2015 at 1:13 am
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Most people with lung mets have no symptoms.  You are right, you are overreacting to an in situ melanoma.  My dad had both lung cancer (non smoker) and mets to the lungs and never had symptoms until late in the game.  Other things were discovered before the lungs.  

                        Take photos of your questionable moles.  Check them in lighting you can duplicate monthly.  If something changes, discuss with your doc.  <10% ever have a second primary and in situ is extremely rare to spread.  There just aren't any blood or lymph vessels in the epidermis, so no vehicle to go anywhere.  Researching online will keep anxiety higher… So try and move on if you can.

                        • April 16, 2015 at 1:13 am
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Most people with lung mets have no symptoms.  You are right, you are overreacting to an in situ melanoma.  My dad had both lung cancer (non smoker) and mets to the lungs and never had symptoms until late in the game.  Other things were discovered before the lungs.  

                          Take photos of your questionable moles.  Check them in lighting you can duplicate monthly.  If something changes, discuss with your doc.  <10% ever have a second primary and in situ is extremely rare to spread.  There just aren't any blood or lymph vessels in the epidermis, so no vehicle to go anywhere.  Researching online will keep anxiety higher… So try and move on if you can.

                          • April 16, 2015 at 9:34 am
                          Jubes
                          Participant

                            Hi I have a large lung met and I was coughing for six months with no other symptoms before my dr even asked for an x ray! Your lungs are glands so there are no nerve endings and they do not feel pain. It is only when my met got to 5 cm that it hit the lung wall and that caused the irritation that caused the cough. It has shrunk now as I am on keytruda, but I still have to clear my throat a lot as there is still inflammation there. You are probably just anxious (it took 10 years for my in situ to become stage 4 with no symptoms in between)but you are right to listen to your body and get things checked out to be sure. Glad you got it early. 

                              • April 16, 2015 at 3:10 pm
                              looptwelve
                              Participant

                                Thanks for the reply. Did you ever feel sort of a tickling in your lungs? That's perhaps the weirdest part for me.

                                • April 16, 2015 at 3:10 pm
                                looptwelve
                                Participant

                                  Thanks for the reply. Did you ever feel sort of a tickling in your lungs? That's perhaps the weirdest part for me.

                                  • April 16, 2015 at 3:10 pm
                                  looptwelve
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks for the reply. Did you ever feel sort of a tickling in your lungs? That's perhaps the weirdest part for me.

                                  • April 16, 2015 at 9:34 am
                                  Jubes
                                  Participant

                                    Hi I have a large lung met and I was coughing for six months with no other symptoms before my dr even asked for an x ray! Your lungs are glands so there are no nerve endings and they do not feel pain. It is only when my met got to 5 cm that it hit the lung wall and that caused the irritation that caused the cough. It has shrunk now as I am on keytruda, but I still have to clear my throat a lot as there is still inflammation there. You are probably just anxious (it took 10 years for my in situ to become stage 4 with no symptoms in between)but you are right to listen to your body and get things checked out to be sure. Glad you got it early. 

                                    • April 16, 2015 at 9:34 am
                                    Jubes
                                    Participant

                                      Hi I have a large lung met and I was coughing for six months with no other symptoms before my dr even asked for an x ray! Your lungs are glands so there are no nerve endings and they do not feel pain. It is only when my met got to 5 cm that it hit the lung wall and that caused the irritation that caused the cough. It has shrunk now as I am on keytruda, but I still have to clear my throat a lot as there is still inflammation there. You are probably just anxious (it took 10 years for my in situ to become stage 4 with no symptoms in between)but you are right to listen to your body and get things checked out to be sure. Glad you got it early. 

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