always melanoma?

[littlewinnie]

I wrote a while back about a mole that had bled, but I had to wait a while before I could get it checked.  I went to the Dermatologist today, and he seemed a bit concerned because the mole had a black spot on it.  

The mole was on my abdomen, and I'm a one-piece girl (light skinned and freckled) so it hasn't ever really gotten sun exposure.  I explained it as raised, about the size of an eraser, dark brown, with black flecks/little lines on it.  I saw the portion that was a little darker when he showed me with the light on it.  I"m afraid I never paid a ton of attention to it before the bleeding episode, but I don't remember it seeming to have changed colors.

I went on-line and looked at a bunch of pictures of melanomas and none looked like my mole, but I'm still so worried that I'm shaking.  He shaved it off and is sending it to the lab, but it will be five-seven days before the results.

I guess my question is, are all multi-colored moles melanoma?  

My Dermatologist is a really mild-mannered guy, so he didn't seem super alarmed and just had a wait-and-see approach when I asked if I should be worried.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I guess no one can tell you for sure until you get the biopsy report back, which ought to be Monday.  Having said that, I very much doubt that this mole is a melanoma.  Many moles are multi-colored, and this one sounds small.  I think the most it will be would be an atypical mole that the doctor will recommend for removal, just as a conservative precaution.

Relax.  The odds are on your side.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[jensd]

I just heard back from my Dermatologist and both moles were fine.  I just wanted to thank you for relieving my anxiety about all of this.  I am definitely going to start paying more attention to my skin!

Thank you again!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Great!  Thanks for the update.

Dr. Rockoff