Suspicious Mole, could it be Melanoma?

Dear Doctor, I noticed a mole on my outer right hip area about a year ago. It could have been there longer, not sure. It was mostly very dark brown w/ a small lighter brown ring around it. The dark spot mostly to one side. Size of the mole was approx. 3mm in diam. overall. Border relatively even. Last week I noticed that the darker brown area developed a scab at some point. The "scab" was just ever-so-slighthy raised above other area of the mole, & looked very dark brownish, almost blackish-red. The scab/dark area was approx 1mm. I had noticed no overall growth in the mole, but "CHANGE" frightened me, so made appt. w/ PCP. He looked at it for 3 seconds & asked when I had a day off work to schedule for removal. Removed the following day, June 12, 2007. While there, & before he removed it with a punch I believe it's called, I asked him if he was sending it to path. to examine for Melanoma. He said yes, then told me of a guy at his church that he(doc) discovered a Malignant Melanoma on his face, and then said to me "yours doesn't look like that, though." When he made this comment, he hadn't seen my mole since the day before. He never said what he thought it was if not Melanoma, I just wanted to get the procedure over with, I never thought to ask. After my own research, & looking at pictures of Melanomas, I am especially fearful what I have is infact Melanoma. I am writing to get your opinion since I am on pins and needles until the results come back this week...

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Your description sounds like that of a mole, not a melanoma.  Biopsy results should take 2 days to come back, not a week or more.  Call tomorrow and insist that you get them.  Then relax.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[tmb123]

Thanks Doctor.. You put my mind at ease for the moment. I did call Monday (yesterday) morning to get the results and was told my doctor had the day off. Called again today three times and was told that he is very busy and that he will call me when he has time. I asked if someone else could tell me, and was told that they are too busy too. The suspense is driving me nuts! It's after 6pm now, so I know I won't hear anything until tomorrow, if then.

[KatWoman41]

please please make sure you get a second opinion.  I'm 40 yrs old and these have started cropping up on me in the last few years

Regards  

Kathleen

[ms.dew]

i have the same concern. mine's on the face, on the right side of the nose. i'm very worried co'z it's growing (i think) and sometimes i get pimples there as well. should i have it removed...?

[tmb123]

Results came back after 9 long agonizing days!!! I think they had the results sooner, just took them forever to inform me. Anyway, all came back ok. Just a normal mole.

[mrs.needs answers]

I have a dark brown mole in my hair line by my ear. Lately I have had a tingle or pain that covers the whole side of my head, including my check, neck and forehead. It eveb aches when I blink. I sometimes get a sharp pain that feels like electricity shoot out from where the mole is.....Should I be concerned about Skin Cancer or a Melanoma?      Please Advise!!!!

[sprstar]

I would say that every suspicious mole should be checked out just to be safe.

Five years ago I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. It was stage I and I had a sentinel node biopsy and surgery to remove the mole and surrounding tissue. Tissue was labbed and came back clear of cancer cells.

I had this mole for awhile, noticed the changes and ignored it. I was a sun worshiper and  had it not been for me promising my mother to get it looked at only God knows what the outcome would have been.

I just noticed another suspicious mole that hurts like heck and will need to get it checked out.

I am happy for your positive outcome remember to  use protection in the sun (tanning beds are just as dangerous)

[23aiden23]

A related discussion, LOL was started.