Hello,

My 92-yo great-grandpa had melanoma on his right arm earlier this year and he got that removed thankfully, and just recently it has also happened to his son, my almost 70-yo grandpa, who got it on his nose. They both had a history of being outside in the sun repeatedly, especially my grandpa who was a mailman in his younger days. Thankfully my grandpa also got his melanoma removed as well. I hope they are doing well and I hope to see them again soon 🙏🙏🙏

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Hi all. Wanted to give some context before my question.

I (33F) posted last year, when I first had a melanoma diagnosed early Stage 1 and was shave biopsied further for the margins.

This last skin check (almost a year since the above), I received 6 removals with shave biopsies, and 5 came back atypical. 3 are “severely atypical” and the other 3 are “early stage 1, but slightly more severe than last year’s” when I asked. These 3 will be surgically removed with 2” margins, so I’ll have stitches. All of these will also be biopsies.

My question is this: what’s the likelihood of this being an annual event? Should I be concerned that 5 came back problematic? I wear sunscreen year round (SPF 50), even though I now live in Minnesota, but that’s only been a habit the last few years. What else can I be doing prevention wise?

Thanks for your wisdom!

I had a melanoma in situ removed on my forearm a little over 6 weeks ago. The scar is still red/angry, itchy, very hard and hypertrophic. I’ve been doing scar massages with lotion every day but it hasn’t really helped. I’m just looking for any suggestions on things to try to help the healing process!

My husband had a suspicious mole biopsied today and the dermatologist all but confirmed that it is nodular melanoma. We will get the results on Tuesday. I just wanted to ask whether it possible that the melanoma has not spread yet? When the derm removed the lesion, he said he did not see any pigmentation below the skin. I'm not sure what that means, but he also said they still have to examine the lesion to see if it indeed cancer and then take things from there. For context, my husband has had the mole since childhood. It was always flat and dark brown. Since last April a round pink mole has developed on top of it. It is the pink mole that the derm says is nodular melanoma.

Recently (this afternoon) diagnosed with a melanoma in situ. Came here, to do some reading, but I'm seeing some acronyms I'm unfamiliar with: WLE & SLNB

I'm certain there are others.

Hello - my melanoma has mets to my liver 3 months ago and I’ve been on immunotherapy since. If it doesn’t work I’ll move to chemo

Has anyone survived this? I’m a young male

(Updated: Been switched to melanoma diagnosis.)

So my derm found a spot on my neck whose color she didn’t like. Not a raised mole, looked more like a sunspot. She shaved a portion of it and it came back as severely dysplastic nevi. Derm referred me out to the local hospital melanoma clinic. Derm said the biopsy didn’t show cancer, but they thought I should have the removal done at the melanoma clinic. So I was like, umm, glad it wasn't melanoma but why are you referring me out to the melanoma clinic. I got "We just think it's best for the rest to be removed there."

I was just told to show up at the clinic in a few weeks. That's it.

Since I haven't gotten a lot of feedback, is there anything I need to do to prepare for what I assume is a bigger removal? How long should I expect to be there and will I know that day whether it’s melanoma? And will they be able to tell if it has spread somewhere else?

Generally confused and a little apprehensive trying to understand all this without much input from my doctor. The switch by the derm from her office to the hospital has thrown me. TIA for any answers.

My shave biopsy site report said .4 mm thickness. It was 5 mm wide brown pappule. My question is from what we were told the cut a certain amount deep if it’s .4 mm or less and then they cut deeper if it’s .5 mm or more. Did we misunderstand that? Is it based off a different measure or is there no set incision cut size.

My husband has stage IV melanoma with brain mets diagnosed in October 2023. He has taken 9 immunotherapy infusions and 5 SRS sessions (in July). He is now taking targeted therapy since August. He had a brain MRI last week and it showed ‘no evidence of disease progression’ and before his oncologist moved him to targeted therapy, we were told the cancer in his lymph nodes was greatly diminished. We have another PET scan scheduled on Nov 18. Here’s what I don’t get: despite the doctors’ somewhat rosy outlook, my husband has absolutely debilitating fatigue, especially after 5 pm. He is sleeping in our first floor guest room because he cannot navigate the steps. I had to call the life squad because he slid off the side of the bed and couldn’t get himself up off the floor (and I couldn’t lift him). Of course he has cancer and cancer itself is fatiguing but through all of the treatments he endured, he never felt this bad.

I just don’t get it.

My 5 y/o son had a small pink/red round bump on his knee. We noticed it about a year ago. Our first check the derm said not to worry about it. I continued to research it and thought it might be a spitz. I got a second opinion and the second derm said we should monitor it, that it could possibly be a spitz. It grew slight in size (about 4mm at its biggest). We told the derm we wanted it to be removed so he did a shave biopsy.

We got the preliminary report last night and this is what it said:

ATYPICAL MELANOCYTIC PROLIFERATION

I have a history of melanoma (melanoma in situ at 32 y/o) I had it excised and had no other issues.

I am just trying to get some opinion on what this could mean. I know it's preliminary.

My partner was recently diagnosed with Stage 2B. The affected area is on his cheek just above the nasolabial fold. The surgeon told us he would likely not be able to smile on that side of his face after WLE is complete due to the location of the nerves. He had a very abrupt bedside manner and we are trying to figure out how frequently this actually happens, or if it was just a risk he needed to make sure we were aware of. Does anyone have any experience with this area? Thank you.

Initial biopsy states "invasive malignant melanoma."

Questions:

1. Based on your experience, would you go through the Cleveland Clinic's Melanoma Program or University Hospitals Melanoma Program??

2. Also, can you share any recommended doctors for invasive melanoma in the greater Cleveland area?

3. Anything else I should consider?

Hi all. My partner was diagnosed recently. I’m currently trying to get my family in the mindset that I am in. Where I’m very worried that certain care acts are going to be redacted. Trump wants to have previous conditions considered and have to pay more. How are we going to pay for all the healthcare costs?

Has this happened to anyone? I had my WLE in March and the melanoma scar extended to the edge of the excision, so now I’m scheduled to go back in for a second WLE on the same spot. Has anyone dealt with this before? I’m stressing, the appt isn’t until December due to my work schedule.

Hi, i just received my results.

Low CSD melanoma, Breslow 0,2 mm, Clark level 2, pT1a.

Will I be 100% safe? My melanoma has been removed by scalpel. I am 28 years old!!

Thanks..

Hello!

I am a student working on developing a digital health solution for oncology patients. I am working with a team of doctors, computer scientists and biomedical engineers to build a solution to help oncology patients manage anxiety related to selecting optimal treatment options and monitoring chemotherapy side effects. We are particularly interested in melanoma patients and would love to talk to you!

My mother and grandmother also got cancer and I know how hard this journey can be. I would love to support you and build a solution that could help you. If one of you is interested in talking more about his/her experience (physical/emotional/logistical difficulties) or just want to chat, I am here for you!

If you want to share good and bad things that you might have been through and/or would like to help others by contributing to building some useful solutions, feel free to answer that chat or send me a message (if it's possible on this platform?).

I wish you all a speedy and full recovery !

Hi! I’m Female 24. I just had my melanoma removal surgery. It was invasive malignant (atleast I think that’s how it’s pronounced?). Right on my hairline. They had to shave my hair and honestly, it was traumatizing. They had to cut a “credit card” sized chunk out of my head. I don’t know how to explain, but I feel so invaded. I feel like my body was violated. I look and feel like a monster. Not to sound shallow, but my appearance is very important to me. I’m sort of known for my looks, which I know sounds so vain. I try my best to look good because I am already clinically depressed and struggle with body dysmorphia. My hair is to my waist and has taken me years to grow. Now I have 16 stitches on my forehead and a shaved patch of hair. Black eyes and a giant goose egg between my eyes.

I didn’t expect this to be such a big deal, and I’m just feeling so alone. No one my age understands. It came at such a horrible time too. I’ve canceled dates, taken time away from work and have stayed inside my house because I’m so embarrassed. I know this may sound silly, but I’m just sad. I can’t even look in the mirror. I read my mom’s texts to my brother, and the way she described it made me feel awful. Here’s what it said:

“I’m here doing Lexi‘s melanoma surgery removal and it’s the most awful thing in the world. They had to shave off so much of her hair. And that incision and how deep this cut is is making me want to vomit. Holy crap this is awful. I just wanted to talk to someone who understood and would tell me everything’s gonna be OK.“

I’m not sure why I’m posting, maybe just to vent or to look for support. This is just really disheartening. Can anyone relate?

I cannot thank all of you ENOUGH for all of your kind words! I’ve been crying all day from the support. It truly means the world to me. It helps me to realize this truly was a life or death situation and I am glad to be alive.💗

I’m a hypochondriac and for some reason this has helped ease my health anxiety knowing there is actually something wrong (after my initial freakout) My story is unique and thought I would share.(although maybe not as unique as I think)

I started stretching more and more due to playing hockey trying to get more limber. I’m 35 so I’m entering old man age 😂

I had noticed a development of a raises bump when I was stretching one day, thought it was a tight muscle and went to get a massage. Massage therapist said it was not a muscle and said I should go get it looked at.

Fast forward a few weeks and when at the dermatologist (never been or at a thought in my mind to go ever) the doctor asked if I wanted a full body check while I was there. So she check my bump and it’s a lipoma. Wanted me to get an ultrasound on it and it came back normal fatty lipoma. I then agreed to the fully body check and she removed two moles and sent them for testing.

3 weeks later I get the call that they are melanoma just beneath the skin (caught early)

I am really trying to stay optimistic about the outcome or future but I think it has actually helped my anxiety (at least temporarily)

I think to myself what would it have progressed to if I hadn’t gotten that lipoma. Would I have ever been in a dermatologist office?

I’m now advocating for everyone in my life to go to a dermatologist to get a full body check. Catching it early is key and I’m hoping I was fast enough. 🫡🙏

Thanks for listening and letting me vent a bit.

This is quite a selfish post, so sorry in advance if anyone finds this insensitive.

My sister was diagnosed with Melanoma stage 2 back in May and it's been a rollercoaster ever since. She is being treated by the NHS but we are originally from Southern Africa, I hate to say it but I was always one of the ignorant people who thought skin cancer rarely affects dark-skinned black people.

I've been holding it together to be a support for her, but last week we found out the lymph nodes which were removed almost a month ago, had Melanoma and it has potentially spread. She broke down and the positive attitude she had has for most of this process faded away, understandably. She went some days without speaking to anyone and in that time, I sunk into depression - I literally don't know what to do with myself!

I kept messaging her (I'm out of the country) even though she wasn't replying, just so she knew I was thinking about her but I respected the boundary that she didn't want to communicate just yet. But I'm also struggling to process my feelings around it. We thought we were at the end of her treatment after her surgery but this just set up back 10 thousand miles.

Honestly, I just wanted to write this down in a space where other people are going through the same thing personally or with family and friends. This is the first time I've even thought about her mortality since we first found out.

They are saying she will now likely go for immunotherapy, so I'm researching all I can about it to best support her. Any resources others have found useful would be much appreciated.

Apologizes if this isn’t an appropriate sub for this question. A friend was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. He still needs to figure out a treatment plan with his doctors, but high likelihood he’ll be doing immunotherapy. To add to the matter, he and his fiancee are due with their first child in 2 weeks.

I want to do everything I can to support them through the treatment and having a newborn. I don’t know anyone who has gone through immunotherapy treatment and don’t have many friends who are parents. They are not in the same state currently, so I did offer to fly out and help them with day to day task whenever they need.

I’m not sure how to support them from a distance. Does anyone have tips on how to best emotionally support them? Additionally, is there anything I could send to help make their lives easier such as Doordash gift cards or a care basket to ease cancer symptomns/treatment side effects? Thank you in advanced for any suggestions.

I was just diagnosed with stage 0 in situ melanoma on my thigh. My dermatologist asked if I wanted her to do the excision which got me wondering, who did your excision surgery? Was it a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon or some other doctor? The more research I do, the more I'm realizing this is actually a surgery, not just the usual biopsy slice.

So my dad has stage 4 melanoma cancer, it has spread to his brain, lungs and liver. He’s had 7 surgeries, immunotherapy and radiotherapy but nothing seems to be working. The main area where the cancer is, is in his left cheek. Recently had issues with his kidney stone and that has knocked him about because the NHS kept delaying his kidney stone treatment, he was starved for 3 days just to get a stent put in. And he has been in agony ever since the stent. No painkillers were helping and it has caused him problems as he is very weak, not mobile and poor mental health.

I was wondering if there are any treatments that he could possibly get as he was also enrolled for a clinical trial but his blood tests weren’t a match for it? And would the NHS deny treatment because he is old and weak and would rather spend the funds on other patients that are fitter and have higher chance of survival? And what can I do.

Thank you for spending your time reading my post, any opinion or advice is greatly appreciated.

So my dad has stage 4 melanoma cancer. He tried immunotherapy and it didn’t work cancer still spread to his brain and lungs. The doctor just suggests radiotherapy but I’m wondering you can still do targeted therapy if you are BRAF negative? Or is there are any other treatment that he can try?

I’m looking for someone who has been through this who had a pathology result similar to mine. This is a biopsy result. I don’t have my surgical results back yet. I am worried I am going to die. I’m sorry if that is dramatic, for a group dedicated to those who are going through this. I just don’t know what to think because my dermatology clinic hasn’t been able to give me any answers. It’s like they think that if we just don’t talk about it, it will go away. I don’t know if I should have had an SLNB - they pushed me right into WLE and I fear given my pathology report that this was the wrong move, and they are minimizing the severity. I’m very scared and don’t want to go through this alone - I’m looking for someone to talk to.

Specimen received in formalin, vial labeled with patients name. 4 x 4 x 1mm skin wedge. Shave, tan, pigmented, margins not involved, not oriented. 1 piece tissue received. Tissue specimen grossed. 1 portion submitted in block DD24-051736-A - 1. All Microscopic Description: There is a poorly circumscribed, asymmetrical proliferation of melanocytes with severe cytologic atypia arranged in irregular nests and as single cells at the basal layer of the epidermis. Atypical melanocytes are identified at higher levels of the epidermis. The proliferation extends into the underlying dermis.

Immunohistochemical Findings: Immunohistochemical stains, including appropriate positive controls, were performed. The SOX 10 and Melan A stains highlights melanocytes arranged in nests and single units. Pagetoid spread is identified. PRAME highlights atypical melanocytic nuclei.

Comments: Atypical cells focally extend to the base of the specimen. Invasion to a deeper Clark level or Breslow thickness cannot be ruled out. Complete excision and appropriate treatment per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommended.

MALIGNANT MELANOMA, INVASIVE 1726 C43 62) SEE COMMENT. Type: Superficial spreading Breslow Thickness: At Least 0.4mm Radial Growth Phase: Present Vertical Growth Phase: Not Identified Mitotic Figures: 0 Ulceration: Not Identified Regression: Not Identified Melanocytic Nevus: Not Identified Predominant Cytology: Epithelioid Peripheral Margin: Positive Deep Margin: Focally Positive Stage: pT1a (At least)

They said the biopsy from my back, they did at my yearly derm check, is in fact Melanoma. They are going to do an excision next week. They said something about "early" and ".4" I dont recall cm or mm. I was a little stunned. It will be done in the Derm office and I go home. Will I need to take a couple days off? Should I tell my team at work? I feel so anxious of what is ahead. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Hi everyone,

I work for a charity in the UK who support those affected by melanoma, Melanoma-Me Foundation. We offer free counselling and support to those affected and their loved ones, we also host monthly online support groups as well as in person (Washington, North East)

Unfortunately we can only offer our services to those within the UK due to charity regulations, but our social media is open to anyone. We are all trained in the emotional impact of melanoma and work on raising awareness of this underrepresented cancer. We cannot offer medical advice as we are counsellors and not trained medical professionals.

For context, my best friend Tom Linton passed away due to malignant melanoma in 2020, aged 20. Melanoma-Me Foundation supported the Linton’s and I got to know about them, I’ve worked for the charity since February 2023.

If anyone is interested in accessing counselling or our groups, please get in touch. You can visit our website for our contact details, or to refer yourself through there.

Thank you!

This past weekend I had Covid and Flu shots in the opposite arm of my WLE (right arm two months ago) and my right arm has been sore and heavy all week together with the shoulder area. I have been wearing Scar sheets during this time and I’m wondering if I should continue to do so. Are scar sheets recommended when a SLNB has been performed?

My dermatologist is going to recommend someone but I’m also doing my own research.