Pre-Melanoma - and Phototherapy (psoriasis) Risks

Hello,

Looking for info.  My father passed away about 6 weeks ago - from melanoma - it was in his brain.  He had several melanomas over the last 30 years, and each was surgically removed - clear margins etc.  Anyhow - about 2 years ago - i had a mole on my arm that turned dark - i had it removed and was told it was dysplastic nevi.  Now, about a 4 weeks ago - had a mole removed, was told it was pre-melanoma and a clear margin cut.  Last week, rechecked and another mole was found on my leg, again revealed to be pre-melanoma - having a clear margin removed next week. 

I am stressing.  Is a pre-melanoma GOING to be a melanoma - if it isn't caught in time??? Aren't there any other tests to find all of these?  Seems scary to me - that my only line of defense is what I see and hopefully anything I miss - My dr sees?????????? WOW.....Can a mole go from ok to pre-melanoma between visits??????  As long as all of the pre-melanomas are "caught" before they are classified as an actual melanoma - does that prevent me from the risk of the melanoma moving thru the blood - possibly to the brain - as happened to my dad??? I am not finding enough information on this online....Any feedback will be appreciated.  Honestly, I was a bit taken aback - when this second one was found - weeks after the 1st one.  

Sidenote - I also have psoriasis - as the only treatment that has ever worked for me - is phototherapy....i know this has to increase my exposure and risk for the melanomas.....anyone else out there - being treated for psoriasis with phototherapy - and having problems with melanoma???

Thanks!

Hi,

I had a mole removed about 4 years ago, I was told the cells were changing but it was not a Melanoma. I had more flesh cut out and was told everything was clear, 2.5 years on l had Melanoma in 2 lymph nodes in my groin,same leg that I had the mole removed from. The doctors tell me that the original mole I had removed must have been a Melanoma and it was not diagnosed correctly. 

All I can say is keep an eye on any changes occur in your body as it could be Melanoma. Good luck

Linda P

Hello,

Thanks for the reply - and I apoligize for not writing sooner - has been a hectic week.  I am scheduled on Tuesday - to cut a clear margin on the "pre melanoma" that appeared on my leg.  I am so scared of melanoma - I can't even tell you. 

Best of luck to you in your treatment.  Please let me know how you get along! 

Thanks!   Sue

Thanks for your reply - and I apologize for being so long to reply.  I am trying not to stress - but its easier said than done.  I guess its because I am painfully aware of what melanoma can do.  I just don't want to deal with it - however, I intend to be diligent - probably to excess.  It's just hard to imagine - that in 2009, visual observation - is the best defense - i am afraid that I will miss one. 

Thanks again, trying to chill - scheduled for Tuesday - to have clear margin cut on pre-melanoma on the leg.  I am curious to speak with my doctor more - and see what she recommends.

I see you are registered as a caregiver - good luck to you and yours!

Hi

Did you find any further information / link with Melanoma and Phototherapy?  My son, aged 13 was diagnoised with a Melanoma in January.  My son was born 8 weeks premature, and spend some time under phototherapy lights.  He now has another 3 watch moles.  It was only "Mother Instinct that picked up the melanoma.  Doctor thought he was too young so it would be nothing.  It was on his back in a spot that is always covered. 

Hope all is going well for you

Did you try to keep track on your moles using mole-mapping solutions, such as MoleMax? Some dermatologists can offer you this service which helps to keep track of your moles.

Contact me if you need for information.

Assaf