Scarring tissue itching and dark spots on it.

I am going to pipe in…. my husband had a melanoma removed on his stomach, a few years after that I noticed him itching at a spot shortly up from where his melanoma was.  He mentioned last visit to the dermatologist that it itched, she said it was just scar tissue.  The more I felt around I really felt it was Melanoma.  Sure enough it was a large tumor inside.  He should never have waited since it bothered him for a few months.  Go right back to the docs!  If it is melanoma, best to get it taken care of right now.

I was told by my ENT Surgeon /Oncologist to carefully watch the scar tissue . He said it is not unusual for melanoma to appear on it. I recall him stating watch out for any dark spotting. So if I were you I would get medical attention ASAP.

Also, confused how you could be Stage 3b ? Did you have malignant lymph nodes?

If it has spread (unlikely) you would be presented with a swollen left or right lympth node(s). Even if it were not visibly the proper touch would indicate the mass. Also, most likely painless and just below the ear.

I think you are crossing bridges long before you arrive and thus creating unneccessary anxiety at this point.

Dear Jules

There is no connection between your melanoma , your thyroid levels and lymph nodes. If a lymph node is palpable(one that you can feel) in this setting spread by melanoma is a possiblity. However other causes are possible like post surgical inflammation, infection and other unrelated causes. The absense of palpable nodes is good but does not rule out spread to the lymph nodes that is not grown enough yet to be felt. That is the reason for a sentinel node biopsy. A sentinel node biopsy can be important because it gives information about the risk of progression and thus figures into treatment decisions. What node is the site for tumor spread varies from person to person and requires a study. It's hard but this is the time for gathering as much information as you can. Good Luck 

Jules,

Following my 2010 melanoma surgery, I experienced exactly what you have described (itching and brown spots along the scar tissue). In my subsequent doctor visits they were not concerned by these occurrences. One brown spot was even significant enough that a new physician, who was filling in for my regular doctor, even ordered a punch biopsy and it came back negative for melanoma. 

I have responded to other similar concerns on this forum in the past, and you can always search for past discussion threads on this topic, but I believe small superficial brown spots are quite common and typically harmless. Of course, you should always point them out to your doctor when you are concerned. Also, itching of healing scars is quite common. I have experienced this with virtually all the significant skin abrasions and cuts that I have had as they were healing. 

Best of luck!
Mark (2A)