A very scared newbie- atypical mole
Hello, this is my firtst post. I hope to find new friends here and good advice too.
I'm writing for my husband – 55 years old, no smoker, fair complexion, green eyes, history of sunburn in the childhood. No melanoma in his family.
He had his moles recently checked with digital dermoscopy and the dermatologist said he had a papular erythematous mole in his back that had to be surgically removed because it's atypical and it has changed since his last examination (about 2 years ago: that mole was already there). It was dark pink, round, elevated and had a regular shape. It was sometimes itchy (for ex. When sweating).
I wonder if the dermoscopy could indicate a possible diagnosis (the doctor didn't tell or write anything about that). I know it has to be confirmed by the results of the hystological exam, of course, but not having any idea of what it could be is very stressing.
I am awfully scared because I've read on Internet about nodular melanoma. My husband had acute promyelocitic leukemia many years ago (diagnosed 9 months after our wedding), he won the battle against that monster... and now, going again through such a nightmare?
So you can understand I really needed to vent and to get any possible help.
Thanks for your attention and for this forum and website.
All the best, Celia
Thank you for sharing your husband's (and your) journey. I agree that melanoma can be quite a challenge and concerning. I am also encouraged by the active role you are taking and how informed you are. Your proactive stance will go a long way in this. Please keep us updated on how he is doing. Scott skincancer.net team member
Thank you for your reply, Scott! So... mine are well-founder fears?
I don’t think Scott was trying to tell you that your fears are well founded! I think he was saying that melanoma is scary and not saying anything specific about your husband. It’s easy for our imagination to run away with us and for sleuthing on the internet to make it worse. If it is melanoma, then it can be treated… but it could also NOT be melanoma so best not to jump ahead. I’d stay off the internet (on this topic anyway) unless you are looking for some guidance on calming breathing exercises. By the way, I also had leukemia (a different kind) and once you’ve been hit, it’s understandable to be super jumpy! Ronni (skincancer.net team member As a melanoma survivor myself, I am always a little concerned about any kind of reoccurrence. I try not to let fear change me and try to use any anxiety to make me more diligent. I was not referring to your description of your current situation in my encouragement about being proactive. Being proactive in a general sense is a good stance in dealing with any skin cancer concerns. Most of the time my worries are much worse than my reality in every part of my life. I try to deal the facts as they present themselves. Scott skincancer.net team member
Thank you, Ronni, for your kind and wise words. You're right, having been a caregiver for oncological patients makes me super nervous. I'm sorry to read you also had leukemia. Please keep us in your thoughts, while we wait for the lab results. Thanks again to you and Scott.
Hello Scott and Ronni,
my husband has just had the pathology report. It says it was an intradermal melanocytic mole, nothing to be scared of. No further investigations needed, only the usual annual check.
My fear was caused by the fact the dermatologist told about an "atypical mole", so I thought she had seen something strange during the mole check.
But she asked the pathologist about a "suspected" atypical mole. A single word can make a huge difference...
I thank you from the botton of my heart for your encouraging words. They mean so much to me, really.
All the best, Celia and husband Mark
...I know you are both more than relieved! Congratulations on the path report results!
You are so right--one word in a report can ignite a firestorm of worry. I am glad things have turned out positively! Please know we are here for you any time!
April, SkinCancer.net, ModeratorCelia, Thank you for the update. It's true that terminology can make a huge difference in all of this. When I am not sure what is meant when a doctor is using "physician speak", I will ask clarifying questions. "Hey doc, what exactly is atypical about my moles?" Since, I am an atypical person, I would expect everything about me to be atypical, even my moles. Please keep us updated about Mark. Scott skincancer.net team member
