› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Monitoring of Children
- This topic has 6 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 11 months ago by
Sophietx.
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- December 27, 2016 at 2:59 pm
I recently had WLE for Melanoma in situ. Also had genetic testing done and no found links. My almost 13 year old blond, blue eyes has over 5 large 1 cm and more moles on his scalp. Also a nasty mole in his belly button. He is having surgery today to remove the mole in his belly button and 1 large dark mole on his scalp at Cook Children. Should we consider having all his large moles removed? If yes, would he have bold spots? He has lived in FL and CA. I am worried about him. Any advise? Both of my kids will go to annual skin check ups. My 15 old girl doesn't have any moles. Are moles genetic or my son got them because of sun exposure?
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- December 27, 2016 at 10:59 pm
In general, freckles are from sun, not moles. No one can tell you what to do although removing all those lesions could be traumatic for your son and totally overkill. Just because you had melanoma doesn't mean your son will. His risk is higher, yes. Higher than the general population without a relative with melanoma. But that's hardly a certainty especially without a genetic defect. If you were to remove them, it would be best to remove with a biopsy type that used stitches. A shave would likely leave a bald spot but the other types would suture the skin together. Scars usually heal well. Personally, I would take pictures and monitor but that's me. About 50% of melanomas grow from new lesions so removing existing moles rarely changes the risk. It sounds like the docs have chosen the ones they thought to be the most sinister. If those come back normal, I most likely would monitor. If something about the removed moles caused concern to the docs, I'd re-evaluate.
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- December 27, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Thank you. This is exactly our pediatric dermatologist opinion. He agreed to remove the one in his belly button because we can't monitor. And then choose the one on his scalp that was the darkest. He said the fact he has several similar large moles makes the moles less concerning than just having one. If – hope the pathology confirms regular moles than we will just monitor. It's good that my children now know more about sun safety and that they have to monitor their body monthly as well and to have annual skin check ups.
Both of his moles were removed by pediatric surgeon with stiches.
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- December 27, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Thank you. This is exactly our pediatric dermatologist opinion. He agreed to remove the one in his belly button because we can't monitor. And then choose the one on his scalp that was the darkest. He said the fact he has several similar large moles makes the moles less concerning than just having one. If – hope the pathology confirms regular moles than we will just monitor. It's good that my children now know more about sun safety and that they have to monitor their body monthly as well and to have annual skin check ups.
Both of his moles were removed by pediatric surgeon with stiches.
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- December 27, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Thank you. This is exactly our pediatric dermatologist opinion. He agreed to remove the one in his belly button because we can't monitor. And then choose the one on his scalp that was the darkest. He said the fact he has several similar large moles makes the moles less concerning than just having one. If – hope the pathology confirms regular moles than we will just monitor. It's good that my children now know more about sun safety and that they have to monitor their body monthly as well and to have annual skin check ups.
Both of his moles were removed by pediatric surgeon with stiches.
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- December 27, 2016 at 10:59 pm
In general, freckles are from sun, not moles. No one can tell you what to do although removing all those lesions could be traumatic for your son and totally overkill. Just because you had melanoma doesn't mean your son will. His risk is higher, yes. Higher than the general population without a relative with melanoma. But that's hardly a certainty especially without a genetic defect. If you were to remove them, it would be best to remove with a biopsy type that used stitches. A shave would likely leave a bald spot but the other types would suture the skin together. Scars usually heal well. Personally, I would take pictures and monitor but that's me. About 50% of melanomas grow from new lesions so removing existing moles rarely changes the risk. It sounds like the docs have chosen the ones they thought to be the most sinister. If those come back normal, I most likely would monitor. If something about the removed moles caused concern to the docs, I'd re-evaluate.
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- December 27, 2016 at 10:59 pm
In general, freckles are from sun, not moles. No one can tell you what to do although removing all those lesions could be traumatic for your son and totally overkill. Just because you had melanoma doesn't mean your son will. His risk is higher, yes. Higher than the general population without a relative with melanoma. But that's hardly a certainty especially without a genetic defect. If you were to remove them, it would be best to remove with a biopsy type that used stitches. A shave would likely leave a bald spot but the other types would suture the skin together. Scars usually heal well. Personally, I would take pictures and monitor but that's me. About 50% of melanomas grow from new lesions so removing existing moles rarely changes the risk. It sounds like the docs have chosen the ones they thought to be the most sinister. If those come back normal, I most likely would monitor. If something about the removed moles caused concern to the docs, I'd re-evaluate.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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