Scared about Melenoma Possibility

[BonnieT]

I am in desperate need of advice. Here is my very big problem: Six weeks ago my husband felt a very small, rough, hard edged area on my back., When we looked at it, it looked like a 2 mm slightly raised very dark mole,which felt hard. I did the unthinkable, and proceded to pick at the area until the whole thing came off. The skin was very raw, but healed. I went to the Derm. and he biopsied the scar. I am awaiting those results.
I am so fearful that this was a late stage melenoma. I don't know what to do. If there was only scar tissue, would the biopsy still show malignant cells, or am I just a sitting duck? I am so afraid that this may be spreading to my lymph nodes already, and I don't know what to do. Please help.

[dorothybrown2]

i husband is an outdoor worker he has a severe discoloration on his arm, is looks as if hickeys have formed on his arm, it covers the entire upper forearm in clusters, we dont have insurance and he says there is nothing we can do does this sound like skin cancer?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Melanomas generally feel smooth, not rough.  You can't pick them off.  Check with your dermatoligist, but I think a negative biopsy presents all the reassurance you need.

Dr. Rockoff

[BonnieT]

The biopsy came back showing only scar tissue, from what I had removed. I am still very concerned. From what I have read, Melenomas do feel rough and hard edged if they are advancing. Do you have any suggestions?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Chill!

Melanomas are not rough and hard-edged.  And you can't pick them off--I can't imagine you could remove every last cell that way.  More than likely, it was a wart or something in that family, since those are rough and can be picked off.  I am sure the biopsy will set your mind at rest.  

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff