Worrywart
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Hi, sorry to read of your dx. did you get the second opinion back? I agree that it is odd when the further margins result in the depth remaining the same – however, I have seen that happen quite a bit. With a mitotic rate of 7, I’d request an SNB anyways – bc if not you might always wonder! Good luck.
You can never be sure without a biopsy, but I don’t see anything I would worry about in those pics. Good luck.
Yes, that means you have to wait until after full excision to determine the depth of your lesion. Your mitotic rate is relatively low, so it doesn’t seem like an extremely aggressive lesion. That actually surprises me and I think there is a possibility the subtype (nodular) will be changed after complete excision. Who read the initial path report?
Hello, I am sorry to hear of your dx! It sounds like you had an in situ, or noninvasive melanoma.
Get a copy of your path report, get a second opinion on pathology if it’s not too late, get to know your skin and watch for change, and protect your skin from further damage.
Hi Michelle, Your story sounds really similar to mine. My sister noticed my mole at Thanksgiving, and I blew her off. But an inner voice told me to make an appt. I thought only fair skinned red heads got melanoma. And I also assumed it was always raised and scary looking, whereas mine was a flat freckle like lesion.
It was caught early which is great. Watch your skin for change and keep up w our derm visits.
Take care!
Melissa
dx July 2008 with melanoma in situ
Just breathe. It will be fine. It is obvious you love your mother very much! 
It doesn’t look scary to me, BUT if it is worrying you it is important to listen to your inner voice and have it removed. Good luck!
You need a second opinion on this pathology. They intersected the mole, so if it is cancerous an accurate depth may have been compromised. I’d have your slides from your WLE AND from the original biopsy sent to a center of excellence. Good luck and don’t worry….best case scenario it is jsut atypical. Have your slides sent to an expert such as Dr Mihm. He will, as will many,speak with you directly on the phone. Once the slides are sent for a second opinion you will be able to speak directly to the pathologists (that has been my experience). Radial Growth phase is very low risk, but I agree, with .7 and clarks 4 that seems a bit unusual. So first things first – a second opinion on pathology. Then get the SNB if you feel it would put you at ease. Where was the mole? I take it it was in an area with ‘thin’ skin (due to clarks 4)?
Hi there, Get a second opinion on your pathology – not because I think you have anything to worry about (because I don’t) but because i think it’s important in all cases of moles that *could* be melanoma. Second opinions generally come back quicker than first (that was my experience). Hopefully the next report will just say atypical….and then you’ve got absolutely NOTHING to worry about.
First of all, what was the depth of your melanoma? That gives you a better indicator of risk. With that said, none of us know what the future holds. Asking how long you plan to work seems ridiculous. It gets easier with time! This is an atypical mole that was getting close to becoming malignant. Focal (in one small area) there is pagetoid spread (upward spread) which is a characteristic of melanoma in situ. The wide excision will take care of it, and your mom should now be alerted that she is higher risk and needs to protect her skin from the sun and do regular skin checks to watch for new or changing moles. Also a good idea to watch the excised area for pigment regrowth. I wouldn’t worry though, sometimes its good to get a warning! Hi there, The only detail that could be a negative is the regression – just because sometimes regression can mask true depth…BUT since your was only partial, that is highly unlikely. It’s a double edged sword, bc regression also means that your body had recognized and was attacking this cancer. Keep that immune system strong through exercise, eating a healthy diet and keeping stress low.
