malignant melanoma

Hi... Thanks in advance.

I have fairly light skin and moles cover my body, head to toe.  Until that of late 2006, i never seen sunlight.

Planning to see a dermatologist because I have marks resembling that of malignant melanoma.  

I am an avid blood donor (O+).  Is it possible to detect metastatic melanoma through the blood?

good idea to remove ALL my moles?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Melanoma has an irregular border, is asymmetrical, uneven color and increasing in size. If you notice changes in the mole's/mark’s color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it. You also should have it checked if it bleeds, oozes, itches, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.
For mole removal, many procedures of mole removal like by shave or deep elliptical excision, excision with cauterization (a tool is used to burn away the mole) and laser removal are there. Your dermatologist may choose excision with or without stitches, depending on the depth of the mole and the type of cosmetic outcome desired.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.