CancerCompass message board discussion started by Sapphire1963 on 7/12/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,14289,0.htm Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello, I went to my dermatologist with my husband, was wearing shorts and my dermatologist saw a small black mole on my thigh. She took it off and had it sent to see what it was. She called me to come back in to remove it as it was pre-cancerous melanoma. After she stitched me up she did a thorough check and did 2 other moles. 9 stitches total, 3 stitches in each area. Oh other 2 were in the middle of my back between shoulder blades. My question is does this mean I have melanoma? and if it were you, would you have your thyroids checked? And is this a stage? I'm not concerned at this point as I know nothing on this as pre cancerous. Sapphire1963  Sapphire1963 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT HI,If they didn't tell you had Melanoma- you don't. BUT- I would be very diligent about going to your Derm at least every 6 months to have your moles checked. The only way to beat Melanoma is to catch it early!!!! I would maybe call your derm back and ask her what she thinks you should do. Don't freak out though- it sounds like you are ok. Cooper1 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hello!Have you examined your dietary lifestyle and its potential cancer risk? I would try to eliminate acid forming foods like processed animal protein, starches, unfiltered water  and refined sugars.  Here;s a good article on the alkaline diet - http://www.nutrition2000.com/prostatepH.htm I also strongly suggest inducing your bone marrow to accelerate production of stem cells with a product called StemEnhance.Listen to what doctors  are saying - 212-990-6436 recording.Read more - http://bwhit17.stemtechbiz.com/    Watch the video link at bottom right!   http://bwhit17.stemtechbiz.com/product_1_sub.aspx http://www.afa101.com/   More good info - www.wecarenewsgram.com Bwhit17 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/12/2007 Sapphire1963 wrote:Hello, I went to my dermatologist with my husband, was wearing shorts and my dermatologist saw a small black mole on my thigh. She took it off and had it sent to see what it was. She called me to come back in to remove it as it was pre-cancerous melanoma. After she stitched me up she did a thorough check and did 2 other moles. 9 stitches total, 3 stitches in each area. Oh other 2 were in the middle of my back between shoulder blades. My question is does this mean I have melanoma? and if it were you, would you have your thyroids checked? And is this a stage? I'm not concerned at this point as I know nothing on this as pre cancerous. Sapphire1963 Did your doctor actually send the specimens out for a biopsy? Since you had so many, she should have sent some out to a pathology lab. I don't think your thyroid has anything to do with melanoma, but if you think it does ask your doctor to send you for a thyroid ultrasound, which will definitely show if you have nodes. Merely taking your blood and testing your thyroid hormone levels is inadequate. I've been there. Kbcns7 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/13/2007 Kbcns7 wrote: On 7/12/2007 Sapphire1963 wrote:Hello, I went to my dermatologist with my husband, was wearing shorts and my dermatologist saw a small black mole on my thigh. She took it off and had it sent to see what it was. She called me to come back in to remove it as it was pre-cancerous melanoma. After she stitched me up she did a thorough check and did 2 other moles. 9 stitches total, 3 stitches in each area. Oh other 2 were in the middle of my back between shoulder blades. My question is does this mean I have melanoma? and if it were you, would you have your thyroids checked? And is this a stage? I'm not concerned at this point as I know nothing on this as pre cancerous. Sapphire1963 Did your doctor actually send the specimens out for a biopsy? Since you had so many, she should have sent some out to a pathology lab. I don't think your thyroid has anything to do with melanoma, but if you think it does ask your doctor to send you for a thyroid ultrasound, which will definitely show if you have nodes. Merely taking your blood and testing your thyroid hormone levels is inadequate. I've been there.I misspoke on my previous message. I meant to say did your doctor send your specimens to a pathology lab, not a biopsy.  Kbcns7 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT I work for a dermatologist.  With your family history it would be prudent to have a yearly examination.  What you refer to as a precancerous melanoma is probably a "melanoma in-situ" which tends to be more on the surface, however, as with all melanomas if untreated has the potential to go deep into the vascular area and spread.  Many doctors will go back and insure clear margins, taking from .5 up to a cm of surrounding tissue even with in-situ's.   I would want to follow up with my derm to see what the biopsy results were for the other two moles removed on your back.  Don't assume if you haven't heard that they are okay.  Today, doctor's are so busy and reports etc. can get filed etc. assuming the patient will come back and the results can be discussed then.  I have my own personal horror story about that.  Pending your results ask the doctor what if any other follow up tests or treatment is necessary and when they want to see you back.  Also my derm is big on applying sun screen and not just when you plan on being in the sun.  Sun from a car window etc. can get you.  Unfortunately the sun today has damaging rays.  Melanoma is not aways found in areas with sun exposure, however,  particulary true if you have a familiar history of melanoma.  Good luck! Leemg Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT