Malignant melanoma

It sounds as though you've had the same as I have Flanet, although mine have been closer together.

My breast cancer was diagnosed in 2022. I had lobular cancer and two lesions were found. Initially, I was advised to have a mastectomy, but in the end I opted for a substantial lumpectomy and a breast reduction on the other side, so they more or less match. I had radiotherapy and take an oestrogen blocker, which does have some side effects, including hair thinning and bone thinning.

I've got over that now, so the melanoma diagnosis was a blow. There's going to be an MDT meeting on Monday to finalise my treatment plan, but I was wondering in particular what kind of scar I'll have (I already have quite a long scar from the biopsy) and whether I'll have radiotherapy and/or have to take any more drugs. I know I'll have at least two more appointments with scans after the op because the consultant told me.

I had melanoma 17yrs ago, 6inch scar on leg plus lymph nodes in groin removed,, check ups every few months,for 6 yrs scans,, pet scans,,still here to tell the tale,,, it is scary but letting you know it's not all doom and gloom. Wish you well.

Wishing you well Growstuff my husbands first scar was around 3 inches or probably a little less the second op was around 5 to 6 inch scar. As I said his was 2a so also offered sentinel lobe biopsy from what our cancer nurse told us this was offered from 2a and above.
As his second op was clear of cancer all the treatment he will have going forward is a Lymph node scan and regular check ups at the hospital. If the Lymph node scan is ok he will require no further treatment.

Thanks for all the positive comments. I know it's been caught very early, so I'm not too worried about the long term prognosis. I should know next week what treatment is being planned, but I guess I'm impatient. I should be grateful for all the scans I've had over the last two years, considering that the NHS is short of scanners - I just wish they were being used on somebody other than me!

Had two MM, one on my leg and another on my arm. Had deep very intensive surgery and nasty scars especially on my leg who hey who cares when you are still alive. Leg was stage 2 and arm was well sorry can't remember.

Had to have check up's every 6 months in just my undies where the Consultant checked me over. Am very fair, blue eyes and lots of moles and very much an outdoor girl. Father had two MM on his back and sister one on her leg.

Follow ups carried on for 5 years but then diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and the MM agreed to extend my visits for another 5 years.

So grateful to be still alive and seem to have got through it all but not nice, you just have to get on with it. And so sorry to read of some sad cases on here.

Sorry to hear you have had this diagnosis - always a shock and obviously very triggering due to your breast cancer . . My 15 year old daughter had a dodgy mole and despite a family history of melanoma (red hair ) she did not get great treatment - had a biopsy - inconclusive - 3 years later at 18 (in the middle of first year at uni) it was a Stage 1B malignant melanoma so she had a very large excision - 10 cm. No skin graft. No other treatment available at that time other than regular checks for 5 years . It hung over us all like the sword of Damocles and I don’t need to tell you how much guilt I felt . Affected our mental health versus badly. My daughter is now approaching 40, with a beautiful little boy, and has had no re occurrence. Her scar is a fine white line that she wears as a badge of honour as a cancer survivor.
You will be absolutely fine . Do not spend time worrying about this - you caught it early. You will be monitored. There are very many new treatments now. Live your life and put this firmly behind you - compartmentalise it to a tiny space - if you can’t manage this then seek some help.

Thank you marymary62. I can't put the melanoma behind me just yet because I haven't even started treatment and I understand I'm due for a whole-body scan to see if I have any other suspicious 'moles'. I don't have irrational health anxiety, so I have no problem 'managing' my diagnosis. I know this melanoma has been diagnosed early, so I'm not expecting it to be life-limiting. The reason I posted was because I don't really know what to expect in terms of treatment and was wondering if people had experience of a 1A lesion. Generally, I'm quite positive and pragmatic about my health and try to do what I can to inform and help myself. Nevertheless, I'm at a stage when I'm beginning to think that I should have a season ticket for all the scans I've had (for breast cancer, bone density and neuropathic pain) over the last couple of years and there are times when it gets me down a bit. There's an MDT meeting about me tomorrow, so hopefully I'll know this week what treatment is planned.

Thank you everybody for the informative and positive posts.

All the best Growstuff I hope that your treatment goes well and is not too traumatic. Please do update us on your progress.

I don’t have any experience of or advice re melanoma - just posting to wish you well. Sending hugs. X

I have no experience growstuff but couldn't pass by without sending supporting hugs to you for whatever lies ahead
Stay strong and do keep in touch with your GNet 'family' - we are here for you x

I understand I'm due for a whole-body scan to see if I have any other suspicious 'moles

That sounds very reassuring, growstuff.

DH has had a nurse practitioner peering at various moles, freckles etc through a magnifying glass but not a scan.

Allira

^I understand I'm due for a whole-body scan to see if I have any other suspicious 'moles^

That sounds very reassuring, growstuff.

DH has had a nurse practitioner peering at various moles, freckles etc through a magnifying glass but not a scan.

Are you sure it was just a magnifying glass? My dermatologist uses one that picks up suspicious moles in a different light.

I think it's called a dermatoscope. The doctor looked at my back with one when he did the biopsy, but when I was given the results last week, the consultant said that I would have a scan - not sure if it's MRI or CT. They're going to decide today whether I need to have a lymph node removed and tested. I've already had one removed when I had breast cancer.

growstuff, is the melanoma totally coincidental to the breast cancer, please?

I'd assume there is no connection?

My SIL, BIL ( in Australia) and 3 people I know have had the same problem, all had successful ops with no further treatment apart from check ups.

My SIL had it on her back and had quite a large scar but apart from that she was fine.

These instances were all between 15 and 20 yrs ago, I’m sure treatment has moved on since.

Just spotted that your appointment is for today, wishing you well and sending you a virtual hug.

BW for today growstuff. 🤞

MissAdventure

*growstuff*, is the melanoma totally coincidental to the breast cancer, please?

I'd assume there is no connection?

I don't know. I had lobular breast cancer, which is known to metastasise in strange places. The dermatology consultant is aware of my breast cancer history. She didn't say whether she thought there is any connection, but did imply they'd be making extra sure there's no metastasis.

I was reading a scientific paper about a possible correlation. A mutation in the BRAF gene is common in skin cancer patients and is connected with the loss of a protein called e-cadherin. Most lobular breast cancer patients have a loss of e-cadherin, which is why their cancer cells don't form a lump. I had genetic testing after my breast cancer was discovered, but I don't know whether I'll be tested again. I'll ask the consultant when she contacts me.

Oopsadaisy1

Just spotted that your appointment is for today, wishing you well and sending you a virtual hug.

It's not actually an appointment, but the multi-disciplinary team is meeting today to discuss my future treatment. The consultant said she'd ring me as soon as she has any information, but I don't know when that will be.

Yes, I've been reading that lobular cancer can spread to strange places, rather than the "usual" ones.
Wherever, whatever, hope its quickly dealt with.

I hope you get good news soon, and that the treatment starts promptly. It does sound as though it’s been caught early enough for a complete and speedy recovery 🤞

Best wishes. The waiting for results is horrid. Hope you get a call today with a plan. X

I wish you well and didn’t mean to sound at all dismissive, I hope this all turns out ok for you, it sounds like you have a good medical team and will be well looked after.