Malignant melanoma

Sorry just read the rest of the thread, hope all continues to go well for you too, * kaycarly*. Mine didn't look like a typical BCC and I'd had it for ages the GP wasn't concerned about it but referred me anyway, I was shocked when they told me what it was. But it was easily removed and thanks to good stitching no one would ever notice.

Oops have one just seen this thread it must have started when I was on holiday, so glad all's well luckygirl. I know how relieved I was when the strange red mark on my face turned out to be a Basal Cell thingy, easily removed and no further problems since.

Glad that all is well - it is with my OH too - it was nothing to fret about - hooray!

I had a red spot on my cheek just under my eye which wouldn't heal despite my trying all sorts of creams. I mentioned it to the GP during an appointment for another matter and she said straight away "Oh it's Bowens" and froze it off. I had to go back for another freeze and it's left a white mark. She told me to be careful of sun exposure especially as the face and upper chest area are more prone to get Bowens.That was two years ago and so far no further problem.

Hoping for the best for you all.

Thank you. I had a punch biopsy last Saturday. Waiting for the results now. I never felt a thing and I have 2 stitches. Good news is - dermatologist doesn't think it's Basal Cell or anything serious but will wait for the results before I breathe a sigh of relief.

Thanks - I am not too worried about it to be honest but OH is - he is a retired doctor and a bit of me wonders if he knows something I don't. But - I think it is not getting any bigger and may even have faded by a miniscule amount. I am photographing it every day so he can see what is happening, as he cannot see it in the mirror. I am sure that they are just playing safe because of his higher risk with PD.

I've had two basil cells. The first one was removed under local anaesthetic, the next one, a year ago, was removed by prescription ointment supplied by GP, which removed it in six weeks. Basil cell is shiny skin with what look like little pearls in it. It's non invasive and easy to cure. Hope every thing is ok for your DH LG.

I had a melanoma removed 12 years ago. Three doctors (my sister, my GP and dermatologist) said it might or might not be, but to be on the safe side a biopsy was taken and my feet hardly touched the floor before I was at the Christie hospital in Manchester having a chunk of muscle taken from the back of my neck. I was very grateful for the speed and efficiency of the NHS. It was found to be a very thin melanoma, and hadn't spread to surrounding tissues. I am always very careful now about exposing myself to the sun (have quite a collection of sunhats) and boringly remind my nearest and dearest of 'what happened to granny!'

My mother died of Malignant Melanoma. It just seemed like an ordinary mole at first, but then grew and changed shape and started to weep. She left it too long before going to the doctor, and sadly cancer eventually spread throughout her body.
I've had 3 skin cancers, none of which have been malignant, thankfully. Because of my mother's experience I am very careful and never sunbathe without at least factor 50.

DH is very fair and has always been careful in the sun, but over the past 5 years he has had a variety of small lumps removed from his face, forehead and back of hands. Fortunately, he now has twice yearly apps. with a dermatologist and has cream to put on.

The important thing is to be vigilant, always put on factor 50 sun cream and get skin changes checked quickly.

Apparently, men are more susceptible to this type of sun damage because the don't put moisturisers and foundation on which usually contain sun block. Also, because they often have short hair the ears and skin around the ear are susceptible.
I hope it all is sorted soon and your worries are unfounded.

luckygirl I was fast tracked and had two removed under local anaesthetic just a few weeks ago. A biopsy showed it was Bowens, which is a squamous cell and should not turn into anything worse if treated, though they may reappear somewhere else.

It would be great if we had clinics like that here Pamela .

Just looked at Bowens, my psoriasis looks just like some of those lesions! Skin is such a big subject.
In Australia you can pop into skin clinics for a quick once over just to give peace of mind. Here if you want a bit of reassurance you have to go and 'waste' doctors time so tend to put it off. Even if you want to go privately you have to have a referral.
Sounds like you acted swiftly LG so even if it's a baddy your OH should be fine.

DH had a lump on his brow, appeared overnight almost. It looked like a tick bite but he went private to a plastic surgeon who removed it and did a biopsy. The small lump was b cell lymphoma which is most unusual. DH does not have a scar and his scans have been clear for a few years now. Most things caught early will be fine.

Just done that Anya - the illustration on the NHS website looks almost identical to the lesion that has appeared on my OH's face - very interesting - thanks for that.

My mum had two Basel cells removed one from her nose which left a whiter patch and one from her back when she was about 70 she lived on to 90 and she never had any further trouble Kaycarly please don't worry too much it seems really common and simple to remove

My OH has had two non-malignant skin cancers, a basal cell carcinoma and a squamous cell. Both removed under general anaesthetic because of the position on the face and near the eye. He went is as a day patient, had the op in the morning and (this being France) was allowed to leave when he had recovered enough to eat a three course meal.
He has never sunbathed and his dermatologist says it is down to skin type. He sees her twice a year for check-ups. The first was done by a maxillo-facial surgeon and the second by an ENT surgeon.

My DH had a very bad cough several years ago and I managed to persuade him to see the GP. Thank heavens I did, because in the course of the examination the GP found a suspect mole on his back and fast tracked him for a hospital appointment. It was removed under local anaesthetic, sent to the lab, and found to be a malignant melanoma. He was called back for a further check, and they decided to remove more tissue from the surrounding area, just to be absolutely sure that there was no trace remaining. He's had no problems ever since.
So try not to worry Luckygirl - even if it is an MM, it is highly treatable. Good luck

Kaycarly I had something similar on my chest for several years. 3 different GPs assured me it was eczema! When I was finally referred, the dermatologist said it was in the wrong place for eczema and was a basal cell carcinoma. I had it removed and all was fine. This was 14 years ago, I hoped diagnosis had improved since then. Good luck!

Both my sister and brother in law ( sun lovers) have had skin cancers removed from their face , both non malignant . This was several years ago. They now both use sun block and hats.

Thank you all this forum has been a tremendous help to me.
I have an appointment on 17th with a dermatologist for suspected Basal cell on my chest. Until I read all your posts I was terrified but have calmed a little now.
It's been on my chest for 2 years. My previous doctor said it was just a spot but I moved to a different surgery and my new doctor said he's 99% sure it's Basal cell.
It's a small, flat, round, pink/clear looking spot about the size of a pencil end. It doesn't bleed or weep but is itchy.
Thing is, I have never used a sun bed and I hate the sun but apparently the damage is done in early years.

Oh had a Basel lump on his head a few years ago and the specialist told us to go back in Sept after the holidays and he would be fine. They are mainly pre cancerous. Funnily enough he had two little spots removed from his face this morning - took all of ten minutes in the dermatologists office. No bleeding at all - not sore and not noticeable.

The 19th is not far off is it,, week after next. I think that counts as quick.
My DH had a small melanoma removed about 10 years ago. I spotted it on his back when he was sitting on the beach one day. He is very moley on his back - Irish skin with sun damage from his youth. It took weeks before he finally went to the GP.
He had it removed, diagnosed in the lab and then another minor op to remove a bigger area of skin. He has been fine ever since - and still has to be reminded about sunscreen and hat!
Apparently the doctors told him they were impressed that I had spotted it.
There are lots of photos on the internet if you want to know what they look like - a mole with more than one colour and uneven edges (dark bit in the middle for instance). It might bleed as it progresses.
www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Mole-slideshow.aspx

I think a basil carcinoma is the same as a rodent ulcer correct me if I m wrong

Although your DH has been fast tracked this is normal for a suspect melanoma
it could test non malignant

My sister has been fast tracked with 3 suspect melanoma and had them removed under local anaesthetic.
They were tested in lab after op and came back non malignant.

Unfortunately my doctors missed mine.
It took 3 visit s to surgery before I was eventually referred.
Things then moved quickly.
It turned out that it was a Basil carcinoma
I had it removed under local anaesthetic
After op I had to wait whilst it was sent to lab to be tested.
It came back as non malignant.

As the carcinoma had not been caught quickly, it was quite large and required a second op.
All clear now.