Melanoma??

[Froody]

I have a strange question. I was in to see a surgeon about gallbladder surgery, and he asked about a black spot on my stomach. I looked and sure enough I did have a small (1mm) round slightly raised black spot on my stomach that was not there a week or so ago. I had not noticed pain, bleeding, itching to the area. He said he felt it should come off, and will take it off when he does my gallbladder surgery. Now comes the strange part. The spot was becoming slightly more raised each day, and two days later it just flaked off. I was looking at it (already convinced it as cancer), rubbed my finger over it (to see if seemed ulcerated), and it just came off. The skin under is normal, with a tiny pinprick sized hole.(no bleeding at present). Does melanoma do this?? Just flake off and leave healthy skin? What do I tell the Dr. when he goes to do the gallbladder surgery and mole removal. He thinks he found a suspicious mole and nows it gone. A friend of mine suggested I have a biopsy of the area, but I'm not sure why (or exactly where it was). Should I get a biopsy of something? Just wondering what to make of this,and if I should keep worrying its cancer. Thanks!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Not sta=range at all--happens all the time.  When a black spot appears suddenly, it's usually because of minor, unremembered trauma (a scratch in your sleep, etc.)  Then the scab or bruise flakes off, and the doctor can't find it.  If you can't see it, it isn't there.  Skin cancers don't burrow underground and hide.  Forget about it, and good luck with your gallbladder surgery.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Froody]

Thank you. I was so worried, but I feel much more relaxed now!