Melanoma In Situ — Scalp
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Melanoma In Situ — Scalp

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Melanoma In Situ — Scalp

  • Post
    • February 23, 2015 at 10:55 pm
    Kacey79
    Participant

    I had a biopsy done last week on a mole on my front scalp, right behind my hairline.  This is my 3rd melanoma diagnosis within the past year.  One was on my left upper arm (.30 breslow depth), the second was on my right forearm (in situ), and the third is on my scalp.  I feel sick to my stomach right now but I'm trying so hard not to worry.

    I was actually at Moffitt in Tampa two weeks prior to have total body photography of all my spots.  I'm anxious as to what else on my body is melanoma.  

    What should I expect with the WLE on my scalp?  I just know it's tighter skin up in this area.  I appreciate your advice and/or encouragement.

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • February 24, 2015 at 3:42 am
      _Paul_
      Participant

      Make sure you have a plastic surgeon do the WLE. My was done by a general surgeon, who later admitted (to the plastic surgeon that mopped up his work) that he was out of his depth. I was sent home with an open wound under a tegaderm. The tegaderm came off within a couple of days because of all the seepage and it was not a pretty sight.

      It would have been much simpler if I had the pastic surgeon from the start.

      • February 24, 2015 at 3:42 am
      _Paul_
      Participant

      Make sure you have a plastic surgeon do the WLE. My was done by a general surgeon, who later admitted (to the plastic surgeon that mopped up his work) that he was out of his depth. I was sent home with an open wound under a tegaderm. The tegaderm came off within a couple of days because of all the seepage and it was not a pretty sight.

      It would have been much simpler if I had the pastic surgeon from the start.

      • February 24, 2015 at 3:42 am
      _Paul_
      Participant

      Make sure you have a plastic surgeon do the WLE. My was done by a general surgeon, who later admitted (to the plastic surgeon that mopped up his work) that he was out of his depth. I was sent home with an open wound under a tegaderm. The tegaderm came off within a couple of days because of all the seepage and it was not a pretty sight.

      It would have been much simpler if I had the pastic surgeon from the start.

        • February 24, 2015 at 1:25 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        Thank you for the response, Paul.  I will definitely be letting a plastic surgeon do the WLE.   Did you have any further treatment or was the WLE sufficient? 

        • February 24, 2015 at 1:25 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        Thank you for the response, Paul.  I will definitely be letting a plastic surgeon do the WLE.   Did you have any further treatment or was the WLE sufficient? 

        • February 24, 2015 at 1:25 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        Thank you for the response, Paul.  I will definitely be letting a plastic surgeon do the WLE.   Did you have any further treatment or was the WLE sufficient? 

        • February 25, 2015 at 4:55 am
        _Paul_
        Participant

        Unfortunately, I had two recurrences following the initial WLE and eventually progressed to stage IV. But everyone's story is different, and I had a much more aggressive primary than this one you are having excised. Mine was a nodular 1.3mm mel.

        It doesn't sound like any one of your melanomas is that bad individually but I totally get your concern given that this is the third one. Do you have a melanoma specialist as your oncologist?

        • February 25, 2015 at 12:02 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        I'm sorry to hear that, Paul.  I saw Dr. Zagar @ Moffitt Tampa for my first primary. He did my WLE.  My previous 2 were with my dermatologist.  Melanoma is so unpredictable and some are more aggressive than others. 

        I guess, I'll get my WLE and go from there.  I read conficting reports of getting scans for early melanomas. I'm trying to stay in tune with my body.

         

        • February 25, 2015 at 12:02 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        I'm sorry to hear that, Paul.  I saw Dr. Zagar @ Moffitt Tampa for my first primary. He did my WLE.  My previous 2 were with my dermatologist.  Melanoma is so unpredictable and some are more aggressive than others. 

        I guess, I'll get my WLE and go from there.  I read conficting reports of getting scans for early melanomas. I'm trying to stay in tune with my body.

         

        • February 25, 2015 at 2:29 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Scans are RARELY done for early melanomas – especially for 3 as small as yours.  Scans only catch tumors of a certain size, and despite having 3 melanomas, your risk is actually not higher to have a recurrence.  In a study out of Australia, those with multiple primaries actually had better survival rates than those with 1.  Scans haven't even been proven to improve survival which is why some institutions don't even do them for stage III/IV unless there are symptoms.  Insurance is extremely unlikely to pay for scans either unless again, there are symptoms.

        Janner

        Stage Ib since 1992, 3 MM primaries

        • February 25, 2015 at 2:29 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Scans are RARELY done for early melanomas – especially for 3 as small as yours.  Scans only catch tumors of a certain size, and despite having 3 melanomas, your risk is actually not higher to have a recurrence.  In a study out of Australia, those with multiple primaries actually had better survival rates than those with 1.  Scans haven't even been proven to improve survival which is why some institutions don't even do them for stage III/IV unless there are symptoms.  Insurance is extremely unlikely to pay for scans either unless again, there are symptoms.

        Janner

        Stage Ib since 1992, 3 MM primaries

        • February 25, 2015 at 2:29 pm
        Janner
        Participant

        Scans are RARELY done for early melanomas – especially for 3 as small as yours.  Scans only catch tumors of a certain size, and despite having 3 melanomas, your risk is actually not higher to have a recurrence.  In a study out of Australia, those with multiple primaries actually had better survival rates than those with 1.  Scans haven't even been proven to improve survival which is why some institutions don't even do them for stage III/IV unless there are symptoms.  Insurance is extremely unlikely to pay for scans either unless again, there are symptoms.

        Janner

        Stage Ib since 1992, 3 MM primaries

        • February 25, 2015 at 12:02 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        I'm sorry to hear that, Paul.  I saw Dr. Zagar @ Moffitt Tampa for my first primary. He did my WLE.  My previous 2 were with my dermatologist.  Melanoma is so unpredictable and some are more aggressive than others. 

        I guess, I'll get my WLE and go from there.  I read conficting reports of getting scans for early melanomas. I'm trying to stay in tune with my body.

         

        • February 25, 2015 at 4:55 am
        _Paul_
        Participant

        Unfortunately, I had two recurrences following the initial WLE and eventually progressed to stage IV. But everyone's story is different, and I had a much more aggressive primary than this one you are having excised. Mine was a nodular 1.3mm mel.

        It doesn't sound like any one of your melanomas is that bad individually but I totally get your concern given that this is the third one. Do you have a melanoma specialist as your oncologist?

        • February 25, 2015 at 4:55 am
        _Paul_
        Participant

        Unfortunately, I had two recurrences following the initial WLE and eventually progressed to stage IV. But everyone's story is different, and I had a much more aggressive primary than this one you are having excised. Mine was a nodular 1.3mm mel.

        It doesn't sound like any one of your melanomas is that bad individually but I totally get your concern given that this is the third one. Do you have a melanoma specialist as your oncologist?

        • February 24, 2015 at 2:25 pm
        Sheepsandcows
        Participant

        My son had a similar procedure. Because they scoop as much as they can you want it done by a well experienced  headf and neck surgeon with the willingnesss to take his time and do it right. Best wishes!

        • February 24, 2015 at 2:25 pm
        Sheepsandcows
        Participant

        My son had a similar procedure. Because they scoop as much as they can you want it done by a well experienced  headf and neck surgeon with the willingnesss to take his time and do it right. Best wishes!

        • February 24, 2015 at 2:25 pm
        Sheepsandcows
        Participant

        My son had a similar procedure. Because they scoop as much as they can you want it done by a well experienced  headf and neck surgeon with the willingnesss to take his time and do it right. Best wishes!

        • February 24, 2015 at 6:03 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        There is a lady on Facebook who wrote about her scalp WLE and even posted her recovery photos.  If I can find that I will post the link.  It has "pretty picture" in the FB page title though I can't remember the whole thing.  That might get you started.  She was in situ as well.

        • February 24, 2015 at 6:03 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        There is a lady on Facebook who wrote about her scalp WLE and even posted her recovery photos.  If I can find that I will post the link.  It has "pretty picture" in the FB page title though I can't remember the whole thing.  That might get you started.  She was in situ as well.

        • February 24, 2015 at 6:03 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        There is a lady on Facebook who wrote about her scalp WLE and even posted her recovery photos.  If I can find that I will post the link.  It has "pretty picture" in the FB page title though I can't remember the whole thing.  That might get you started.  She was in situ as well.

        • February 24, 2015 at 7:59 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        That would be wonderful if you could find it.  Thanks for the reply.

        I have a consultation Thursday with the plastic surgeon.

        • February 24, 2015 at 7:59 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        That would be wonderful if you could find it.  Thanks for the reply.

        I have a consultation Thursday with the plastic surgeon.

        • February 24, 2015 at 7:59 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        That would be wonderful if you could find it.  Thanks for the reply.

        I have a consultation Thursday with the plastic surgeon.

        • February 25, 2015 at 3:20 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        Good luck – I will keep you posted on my search.

        • February 25, 2015 at 3:20 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        Good luck – I will keep you posted on my search.

        • February 25, 2015 at 3:20 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        Good luck – I will keep you posted on my search.

        • February 25, 2015 at 7:29 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        https://www.facebook.com/MyMelanomaIfIPhotographYouWillYouGoAway

         

        Well, I had the name totally wrong but here is the link! 

        • February 25, 2015 at 7:29 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        https://www.facebook.com/MyMelanomaIfIPhotographYouWillYouGoAway

         

        Well, I had the name totally wrong but here is the link! 

        • February 25, 2015 at 10:45 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        Thanks so much!

        • February 25, 2015 at 10:45 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        Thanks so much!

        • February 25, 2015 at 10:45 pm
        Kacey79
        Participant

        Thanks so much!

        • February 25, 2015 at 7:29 pm
        ldub
        Participant

        https://www.facebook.com/MyMelanomaIfIPhotographYouWillYouGoAway

         

        Well, I had the name totally wrong but here is the link! 

Viewing 2 reply threads

Tagged: 

  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.