› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Worried that I have a recurrence
- This topic has 24 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 3 months ago by
becky15.
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- September 11, 2012 at 7:07 pm
A few days ago I noticed a raised skin coloured lump on the underside of my right foot, near the ball of my foot. It is about 1 cm across.
A few days ago I noticed a raised skin coloured lump on the underside of my right foot, near the ball of my foot. It is about 1 cm across. I visited my GP today who doesn't think it is anything to do with my melanoma (stage 1a diagnosed 7 months ago, 0.72mm breslow on my lower left thigh near the knee with zero mitosis and invasive radial growth phase even though "superficial" Clark level 4 ), seemingly on the basis that it seems not to be attached to the tendons etc. He thought it could be a ganglion or something to do with the tendon sheaths.
Now I've done some research on the internet, however, I've gone into meltdown as it seems it could be a subcutaneous metastic melanoma and would therefore be a recurrence and fast forward me to stage 4. I'm not sure that my GP has enough knowledge about melanoma to even know about such a recurrence.
I am pulling forward my 3 monthly follow up with my consultant dermatologist to this Thursday but, in the meantime, any words of reassurance would be greatly appreciated as I am falling apart.
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- September 11, 2012 at 7:26 pm
This would not be a likely place for a recurrence from a primary on the thigh. It is "upstream" from your primary, not downstream. Lymph vessels basically flow downstream to the nearest lymph basin so you'd expect something higher on the thigh or the groin lymph nodes to be the most likely location. You can never say never, but I'd still think it more likely to a plantar wart / ganglion cyst or similar beast. In addition, even if this were melanoma, it would not make you stage IV, only stage III. This is all within the same drainage basin so is "local", not "distant". But my personal feeling is this would not be melanoma related.
Don't jump to conclusions….
Janner
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- September 11, 2012 at 7:26 pm
This would not be a likely place for a recurrence from a primary on the thigh. It is "upstream" from your primary, not downstream. Lymph vessels basically flow downstream to the nearest lymph basin so you'd expect something higher on the thigh or the groin lymph nodes to be the most likely location. You can never say never, but I'd still think it more likely to a plantar wart / ganglion cyst or similar beast. In addition, even if this were melanoma, it would not make you stage IV, only stage III. This is all within the same drainage basin so is "local", not "distant". But my personal feeling is this would not be melanoma related.
Don't jump to conclusions….
Janner
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- September 11, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Thanks Janner.
Would it still be a local recurrence even though my primary melanoma was on my left lower thigh and the lump is on my right foot? Also, couldn't the melanoma spread through your blood stream rather than lymph vessels thereby taking the melanoma cells to anywhere in your body?
I'd like to think it was a ganglion cyst but I've read these are rare on the sole of your foot.
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- September 11, 2012 at 8:54 pm
You didn't say it was on the other leg. That would make it even more unlikely that this is melanoma. As for "blood supply" traveling, the least likely place to see a metastasis would be on the feet. They're the furthest away from the heart and the hardest to get to. Almost all blood supply mets would be to organs, not distant subcutaneous mets. Subcutaneous is most likely lymph vessels, not blood vessels. But you are right that this would be stage IV IF it were melanoma as it is on the other leg. I've had a plantar wart on my heel and a ganglion cyst on my toe. I'd still say both are much more likely than any type of melanoma metastasis. I truly think you are blowing the melanoma card out of proportion on this one. Just my thoughts.
Janner
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- September 11, 2012 at 8:54 pm
You didn't say it was on the other leg. That would make it even more unlikely that this is melanoma. As for "blood supply" traveling, the least likely place to see a metastasis would be on the feet. They're the furthest away from the heart and the hardest to get to. Almost all blood supply mets would be to organs, not distant subcutaneous mets. Subcutaneous is most likely lymph vessels, not blood vessels. But you are right that this would be stage IV IF it were melanoma as it is on the other leg. I've had a plantar wart on my heel and a ganglion cyst on my toe. I'd still say both are much more likely than any type of melanoma metastasis. I truly think you are blowing the melanoma card out of proportion on this one. Just my thoughts.
Janner
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- September 11, 2012 at 8:54 pm
You didn't say it was on the other leg. That would make it even more unlikely that this is melanoma. As for "blood supply" traveling, the least likely place to see a metastasis would be on the feet. They're the furthest away from the heart and the hardest to get to. Almost all blood supply mets would be to organs, not distant subcutaneous mets. Subcutaneous is most likely lymph vessels, not blood vessels. But you are right that this would be stage IV IF it were melanoma as it is on the other leg. I've had a plantar wart on my heel and a ganglion cyst on my toe. I'd still say both are much more likely than any type of melanoma metastasis. I truly think you are blowing the melanoma card out of proportion on this one. Just my thoughts.
Janner
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- September 11, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Thanks Janner.
Would it still be a local recurrence even though my primary melanoma was on my left lower thigh and the lump is on my right foot? Also, couldn't the melanoma spread through your blood stream rather than lymph vessels thereby taking the melanoma cells to anywhere in your body?
I'd like to think it was a ganglion cyst but I've read these are rare on the sole of your foot.
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- September 11, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Thanks Janner.
Would it still be a local recurrence even though my primary melanoma was on my left lower thigh and the lump is on my right foot? Also, couldn't the melanoma spread through your blood stream rather than lymph vessels thereby taking the melanoma cells to anywhere in your body?
I'd like to think it was a ganglion cyst but I've read these are rare on the sole of your foot.
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- September 11, 2012 at 7:26 pm
This would not be a likely place for a recurrence from a primary on the thigh. It is "upstream" from your primary, not downstream. Lymph vessels basically flow downstream to the nearest lymph basin so you'd expect something higher on the thigh or the groin lymph nodes to be the most likely location. You can never say never, but I'd still think it more likely to a plantar wart / ganglion cyst or similar beast. In addition, even if this were melanoma, it would not make you stage IV, only stage III. This is all within the same drainage basin so is "local", not "distant". But my personal feeling is this would not be melanoma related.
Don't jump to conclusions….
Janner
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- September 12, 2012 at 4:26 am
I would place a bet that it's not from your previous melanoma. As Janner says it is on the wrong side and lower down to have followed the most likely path for melanoma spread (Lymph system). While one can never say never with melanoma, I would say DON'T build this one up in your mind. Odds are so high, that while having some concern, don't be very worried. No tworth the worry. Get it checked, yes. Don't worry based on what you now know.
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- September 12, 2012 at 4:26 am
I would place a bet that it's not from your previous melanoma. As Janner says it is on the wrong side and lower down to have followed the most likely path for melanoma spread (Lymph system). While one can never say never with melanoma, I would say DON'T build this one up in your mind. Odds are so high, that while having some concern, don't be very worried. No tworth the worry. Get it checked, yes. Don't worry based on what you now know.
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- September 14, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Just a quick update. Went to see my consultant dermatologist at hospital who said it was extremely unlikely to be anything to do with my melanoma. It is a subcutaneous lump, however, and as he has no idea what has caused it he has referred me to a foot specialist who I am seeing next Wednesday. Still worrying non-stop, do not get any scans with stage 1a in the UK nor are you able to have an SLNB so for all I know it has spread. Five more days of worry and probably more after that if it has to be cut out and biopsied, which is probable if the foot specialist cannot identify it straight away.
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- September 14, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Just a quick update. Went to see my consultant dermatologist at hospital who said it was extremely unlikely to be anything to do with my melanoma. It is a subcutaneous lump, however, and as he has no idea what has caused it he has referred me to a foot specialist who I am seeing next Wednesday. Still worrying non-stop, do not get any scans with stage 1a in the UK nor are you able to have an SLNB so for all I know it has spread. Five more days of worry and probably more after that if it has to be cut out and biopsied, which is probable if the foot specialist cannot identify it straight away.
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- September 14, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Just a quick update. Went to see my consultant dermatologist at hospital who said it was extremely unlikely to be anything to do with my melanoma. It is a subcutaneous lump, however, and as he has no idea what has caused it he has referred me to a foot specialist who I am seeing next Wednesday. Still worrying non-stop, do not get any scans with stage 1a in the UK nor are you able to have an SLNB so for all I know it has spread. Five more days of worry and probably more after that if it has to be cut out and biopsied, which is probable if the foot specialist cannot identify it straight away.
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- September 15, 2012 at 1:28 am
Lipomas are often subcutaneous bumps – just fat tumors. Very common. Also many other benign beasties. You don't have a SLNB in the US for a stage IA melanoma either or scans. It's just not warranted. Extremely high survival rates. Pre-worry never helped anyone and as has already been stated here and by your dermatologist – extremely unlikely it is melanoma. Just doesn't make sense for that. Every minute you give into worry is a minute taken away from living life. You let melanoma win even if it NEVER comes back. Think if this bump is benign how much time was wasted worrying? Do you really want melanoma (or anything else for that matter) to have that power over you?
Janner
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- September 15, 2012 at 1:28 am
Lipomas are often subcutaneous bumps – just fat tumors. Very common. Also many other benign beasties. You don't have a SLNB in the US for a stage IA melanoma either or scans. It's just not warranted. Extremely high survival rates. Pre-worry never helped anyone and as has already been stated here and by your dermatologist – extremely unlikely it is melanoma. Just doesn't make sense for that. Every minute you give into worry is a minute taken away from living life. You let melanoma win even if it NEVER comes back. Think if this bump is benign how much time was wasted worrying? Do you really want melanoma (or anything else for that matter) to have that power over you?
Janner
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- September 25, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Janner, a belated thank you for your replies. I have read these several times over the last week or so to reassure me.
Having seen the orthopaedic surgeon, I had an MRI scan a few days ago which indicated a cyst but could not be conclusive as it was not a contrast MRI. As I was still worried, I was going to have the lump removed tomorrow (general anaesthetic as quite deep and at least 2 weeks with bandages and no driving) but became more unsure and after speaking to my dermatologist he advised that I should have an ultrasound to try and confirm that the lump was fluid. Did this today and pleased to report that it's been diagnosed with 99.99% certainty as a ganglion cyst. This is good enough for me!
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- September 25, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Janner, a belated thank you for your replies. I have read these several times over the last week or so to reassure me.
Having seen the orthopaedic surgeon, I had an MRI scan a few days ago which indicated a cyst but could not be conclusive as it was not a contrast MRI. As I was still worried, I was going to have the lump removed tomorrow (general anaesthetic as quite deep and at least 2 weeks with bandages and no driving) but became more unsure and after speaking to my dermatologist he advised that I should have an ultrasound to try and confirm that the lump was fluid. Did this today and pleased to report that it's been diagnosed with 99.99% certainty as a ganglion cyst. This is good enough for me!
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- September 25, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Janner, a belated thank you for your replies. I have read these several times over the last week or so to reassure me.
Having seen the orthopaedic surgeon, I had an MRI scan a few days ago which indicated a cyst but could not be conclusive as it was not a contrast MRI. As I was still worried, I was going to have the lump removed tomorrow (general anaesthetic as quite deep and at least 2 weeks with bandages and no driving) but became more unsure and after speaking to my dermatologist he advised that I should have an ultrasound to try and confirm that the lump was fluid. Did this today and pleased to report that it's been diagnosed with 99.99% certainty as a ganglion cyst. This is good enough for me!
-
- September 15, 2012 at 1:28 am
Lipomas are often subcutaneous bumps – just fat tumors. Very common. Also many other benign beasties. You don't have a SLNB in the US for a stage IA melanoma either or scans. It's just not warranted. Extremely high survival rates. Pre-worry never helped anyone and as has already been stated here and by your dermatologist – extremely unlikely it is melanoma. Just doesn't make sense for that. Every minute you give into worry is a minute taken away from living life. You let melanoma win even if it NEVER comes back. Think if this bump is benign how much time was wasted worrying? Do you really want melanoma (or anything else for that matter) to have that power over you?
Janner
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- September 12, 2012 at 4:26 am
I would place a bet that it's not from your previous melanoma. As Janner says it is on the wrong side and lower down to have followed the most likely path for melanoma spread (Lymph system). While one can never say never with melanoma, I would say DON'T build this one up in your mind. Odds are so high, that while having some concern, don't be very worried. No tworth the worry. Get it checked, yes. Don't worry based on what you now know.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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