Q
: 1
12/28/2009 |
I had a wide incision done on stage I malignant melanoma almost a year ago. This spot is still sore and very itchy. I also noticed that I have more moles in that area than I did before surgery. Is this normal?
It's possible that this may be a reaction to the suture material, however, I would have this evaluated by either your dermatologist or your surgeon.
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Q
: 2
11/30/2009 |
My husband was recently diagnosed with three 4x4 metastatic melanomas in his arm. I was told that your medical center may perform limb perfusion or infusion. What is the difference and do you offer either of those?
If I understand correctly, your husband must have a history of melanoma and has developed a recurrence with multiple lesions in the arm. We do isolated limb perfusion at our center and not infusion. The difference is the way the vessels are accessed and the type of perfusion. Your husband should also have additional imaging with a brain MRI and a PET/CT scan (if he hasn't already) to make sure he does not have disease anywhere else.
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Q
: 3
09/24/2009 |
I recently had a small lump removed from my scalp and tested. The doctor said it was pre cancer. What does that mean? Should I be worried?
Pre cancer is a lesion that has developed some abnormalities in the cells and that would eventually develop into a cancer. Many people who have had sun exposure develop these lesions. I think the most important thing is to get close follow-up from a dermatologist because other lesions could develop. I usually recommend seeing a dermatologist every 6 months until no new lesions are identified and then on a yearly basis.
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Q
: 4
08/21/2009 |
My 14-year-old son has many moles that fit all 5 areas of criteria for melanoma. The first one that was biopsied was ruled as severely precancerous and there are four others scheduled for biopsy. All of this has been done through a physician assistant specializing in dermatology. She seems to be competent and has great manner with my son. Should I start taking him to a dermatologist or should I consider seeing an oncologist? When he was younger, I took him to a dermatologist who performed full body scans, but found nothing and said follow-up was not needed.
I would recommend starting with a dermatologist with at least yearly evaluations if not more frequently. I would also consider continuing with the full body scans. Removal of any atypical appearing skin lesions should also be performed.
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Q
: 5
06/24/2009 |
I have a squamous cell carcinoma on my leg. It was first frozen off, at my request, but it did not clear up. A recent biopsy showed that the squamous cell carcinoma was still present. I'm going to a plastic surgeon to have it cut out and a skin graft. What do I need to in this stage?
Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the 3 major types of skin cancer. It does not spread outside of the local region that often, but there are multiple tumor characteristics that can increase the risk of recurrence and spread (size, type and depth). If you have an excision and the margins are clear, I would recommend close follow-up, at least on a yearly basis, with a dermatologist. This way if you find any new lesions or have a recurrence, it can be detected and treated early.
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Q
: 6
05/29/2009 |
In late 2007 -2008, I noticed a light black vertical line down the left side of my thumb nail. I figured it was just a bruise. After reading all of the information online about melanoma, I'm scared. From what I've read, the only way for a dermatologist to know it's Melanoma is to do a nail biopsy of the matrix. Several articles state that after this procedure is done, that the nail will never grow back and if it does, it's ruined because the of the damage done to the matrix. Is this true? Any new procedures for this?
To diagnosis this as melanoma, a biopsy of the nail matrix would need to be completed. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how that would affect further growth of the nail. I would, however, recommend that you see a dermatologist to have this evaluated. If this is a melanoma, early diagnosis is key and often leads to a cure of the disease.
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Q
: 7
03/30/2009 |
I have been diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma on my right calf. I also suffer from a cardiovascular disease that causes a fluid buildup in my legs. What type of skin cancer treatment would be the least invasive to my leg and still be effective in treating the cancer? I am very concerned that any procedure that opens up the skin will result in fluid leakage that would hinder the healing of the surgical site.
I would still recommend the surgical excision. You may have an increased risk of wound breakdown, however, measures can be taken postoperatively to potentially decrease your risk of wound complications.
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Q
: 8
02/18/2009 |
This Web site says that if you notice any changes in old moles or the appearance of new ones, then you should have them evaluated promptly by a physician. What defines prompt? My boyfriend noticed a lesion 4 months ago that fits the 'ABC's' of melanoma. He's made an appointment with a dermatologist but the appointment is a month away. Should he try to be seen sooner?
There is no standard amount of time from when a person notices changes in a skin lesion to when they should have it evaluated, but I would recommend seeing your physician within one month.
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Q
: 9
12/07/2008 |
I recently had some skin cancer removed. Is there a certain amount of time that I should wait before having a massage so the sites don't become aggravated?
I am unaware of any time frame that exists that would limit you from being able to get a massage after having skin cancer removed.
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Q
: 10
11/05/2008 |
I was diagnosed with basil cell carcinoma. My dermatologist removed it using a scalpel and then he cauterized the wound. I subsequently got a keloid in that spot. Is there a chance I could have a recurrence of the cancer under the keloid? Should I get a biopsy or a second opinion?
It is possible that the cancer could come back under the keloid. A good option may be to see a plastic surgeon and have the keloid removed.
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Q
: 11
10/27/2008 |
My wife has a family history of melanoma and she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on her face 4 weeks ago. She has had the spot for about two years, but recently it has been undergoing daily changes (losing edges, spreading). The soonest we could schedule Mohs Surgery is one week from now, is that too long to wait?
I believe that waiting another week will not make a significant difference in the progression of your wife's caricinoma.
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Q
: 12
09/17/2008 |
I had surgery to remove a metastatic melanoma brain tumor, followed by one massive radiation treatment. One of my doctors has recommended Temodar for further treatment. I am having difficulty facing that treatment and am wondering if this medication would even be helpful. I will be having CT scans and brain MRIs every three months. Is this something I should do or was the surgery sufficient treatment?
Although I am not a medical oncologist, I do think that the recommendation for the postoperative chemotherapy is reasonable. Even though the brain metastasis has been treated, it is likely that you still have microscopic parts of the disease remaining that may respond to the chemotherapy. I also agree that you need close imaging follow-up.
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Q
: 13
07/14/2008 |
I am a 39-yo caucasian female who has recently had a bout with a malignant spreading melanoma, Clark's level IV and a little under 1mm depth. My doctor removed a large portion of my abdomen but didn't do any other test. The pathology report showed margins were all clear. Should I go for another opinion? My skin cancer doctor suggested a chest x-ray and liver enzyme test which were normal. I just don't won't to overlook anything at this point.
It sounds like you had a thin melanoma. With a Clark's level of IV, I would also consider evaluation of the lymph nodes with sentinel lymph node biopsy for staging. I would have your doctor refer you to a surgical oncologist who would be able to further evaluate the characteristics of your primary tumor and decide whether this additional intervention should be performed. I also agree with the chest x-ray. Please make sure an LDH level was obtained with the liver enzyme panel. If not, this should also be sent.
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Q
: 14
07/14/2008 |
Why is Levadopa contraindicated in people with melanoma?
There appears to be an increased incidence of melanoma in patients with Parkinson's disease, but it is unlikely that this is related to the use of Levodopa. It was originally thought that because Levodopa is a substrate of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin, that the use of Levodopa may induce the development of melanoma. I believe there is no clear evidence in the literature to support this.
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Q
: 15
07/03/2008 |
I am 35 years old and have been diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer. It is located on my face and has been there for a couple of years. I have been to a dermatologist who did the biopsy, and she has recommended that I go to a plastic surgeon to have it removed. The earliest I can get in is in 3 months. I am a bit concerned that in the meantime the skin cancer will advance to internal organs. Where exactly does squamous cell skin cancer normally advance to, and should I be worried?
Squamous cell cancers do not tend to spread to other areas of the body unless they are very large, neglected lesions or very aggressive. It sounds like this lesion has been there for awhile. If this was going to spread, it would generally go to the lymph nodes in the neck first. I think 3 months is a little long to wait, now that you have a diagnosis. I would try and find someone who can do the surgery in the next month.
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