LRS88

Hi Amanda,
First of all, let me say I am so sorry for what you are going through. I truly feel for you and I know the fear and anxiety you are dealing with. Almost exactly 3 years ago, when my second son was about 11 months old I was diagnosed with stage 1A melanoma on my stomach. I had to have a WLE and continue to follow-up with my dermatologist multiple times per year.
As others have stated, it is important to get a copy of your pathology report (and also to discuss it with your doctor). I pray that a WLE is all the treatment you need for now.
as others have said please reach out if there is anything I can help you with as you deal with this.

sending prayers and good vibes your way,
Lindsay

Hi! Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I would get the mole removed. When I was about 20 weeks pregnant I went to the derm for my skin check and pointed out a mole on my stomach, it was attributed to pregnancy (moles can darken during pregnancy, skin on my stomach was stretching.. etc). Less than a year after my baby was born that same mole kept changing and when it was finally removed, it was melanoma. It was still thin, fortunately, but I wish with everything in me I had it removed when I was pregnant possible BEFORE it turned into melanoma.

I had a stage 1a melanoma removed from my stomach in March 2019.
Since then I have had 2 others removed which ended up being only mildly to moderately abnormal. I was very nervous awaiting the results as well.
My dermatologist always tells me given my history she would rather be conservative and take something off to be biopsied than leave it on.
I appreciate her conservativeness and would rather be safe than sorry. Waiting is extremely difficult, I understand. Hang in there!
Chances are it is nothing at all or something benign 🙂

Hi there, I am very sorry to hear what you are going through but wanted to chime in as my experience sounds similar to yours. I was diagnosed with a Stage 1a melanoma in March 2019 (.5mm, no ulceration, zero mitoses and Clark’s level 4). I also was very concerned about the Clark’s level (and to be honest, it sometimes does still make me wonder). My dermatologist told me that Clark’s level is not used anymore in staging because the Breslow’s thickness is a much more accurate staging metric. She said the Clark’s level can be very subjective (i.e. one pathologist may say Clark’s level 3 while another says Clark’s level 4). My best advice is to be vigilant with your dermatologist appointments and be aware of your body and for anything new or changing.. Good luck with your wide excision and hang in there!

Sorry that you are dealing with this and prayers that your SNB comes back negative 🙂
in regards to #4, you will likely have visits with your dermatologist every 3 months for at least the first year, then as time goes on and risk goes down every 6 months. Hopefully both you and your dermatologist will be cautious and watch for new or changing moles. Since my initial melanoma was found almost a year ago I have had 2 more moles removed, both which thankfully were only mild and moderate dysplastic nevi. I believe the statistic for developing another primary melanoma after you have already had one is about 10% (someone more familiar can probably confirm/correct that stat). Again though, this is the reason for more frequent dermatologist visits and monitoring.
in regards to #5, pending the results of your SNB, a full body scan would likely not be covered by any insurance and most doctors would say that it is unnecessary testing. Both a dermatologist and primary care doctor will likely just recommend thorough skin exams and checking lymph nodes for any swelling, bumps or other changes.

I am sorry that you received the news of melanoma, especially while pregnant. Without knowing the specifics of your melanoma, it sounds like they were early stage if the only procedure is removal.
The topic of pregnancy of melanoma is near to my heart because I noticed a change in an existing mole right after I had my son and it ended up being a .5mm melanoma arising from an existing mole. I have talked to my dermatologist, OB/GYN and just this past week my GP (who I absolutely LOVE) because my heart is really telling me to try for a 3rd baby but I am scared of the lurking potential of further melanoma :-(. While I understand there is conflicting evidence about melanoma and pregnancy, they have all told me in their opinions early melanoma and pregnancy do not have a correlation. My GP was going to talk to her melanoma oncologist friend at the Cleveland Clinic and ask her her opinion as well. Prayers to you that nothing further will be required for your melanoma and you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

I did not have a sentinel node biopsy, but I did have a wide local excision of a .5mm melanoma last March on my stomach. While it was more sore than I anticipated it didn’t really slow me down much, I am not a teacher and have a desk job but I also have 2 young kids who I was still able to keep up with. After a couple days of taking it a little easy I was back to my normal routine.

Sure!

Mine was about a week later, however, I pushed to have it done ASAP because I was about to switch jobs and insurance. My dermatologist told me a couple of weeks would have been OK.

I completely understand how you are feeling and there are still times I am very anxious about all of the what-if’s. I still do not completely have clarity on the Clark’s level, maybe someone else on here with more knowledge can chime in! I did not have a lymph node biopsy but I also was told to check my nodes every month. I have been going to the dermatologist every 3 months and she also checks my nodes while I am there. I have a good amount of moles as well and since my melanoma have had 2 additional moles removed, they came back as mild and moderately dysplastic, but I am happy my dermatologist is taking a conservative approach with taking off anything that looks suspicious!

I just wanted to chime in and let you know I feel for you!
I hope you come to a decision that you are comfortable with.
I have asked this same question many times to numerous health professionals and unfortunately no one really gives me an answer I feel confident in.
Best wishes to you and your family!

Hi Bri,
I am not sure how I stumbled upon this post but I just saw your update and thought it was interesting because I was just having a similar conversation with my PCP (who is a wonderful Cleveland Clinic Dr!) Anyways.. to make a long story short, I had Stage 1A melanoma in March of 2019, only treatment was a WLE. Since then I have had 2 other skin biopsies (1 came back as a moderately atypical mole and the other I actually JUST had removed this morning and am praying for benign results). I have 2 young children and would really love to have another baby. It is a difficult decision though due to the fact that I noticed my initial melanoma shortly after my son was born in May 2018. My PCP mentioned a discussion she had with a melanoma oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Funchain that falls in line with what you stated, that hormones in pregnancy are NOT related to melanoma. What did you doctors recommend to you related to future pregnancies?

You do not need to stress yourself out over this, it is nothing until it is something! most moles that are biopsied come back as benign, so you should stress out over it. Especially if your dermatologist has been monitoring it and has not been concerned. I only shared my story to encourage you to voice your concerns to your doctor if the mole appears to be changing.