Pictures of pinhead size melanoma?

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  • Post
    • September 2, 2014 at 2:17 am
    Exhausted
    Participant

      Hi,

      I have a very dark brown mole that is literally 1mm in diameter that I've had for years that I am a bit concerned about.  My dermatologist has no concern, but I started searching the internet and found multiple stories of people talking about "pin head sized melanoma" which are getting me a bit worried.  However, I can't seem to find any pictures to compare.  Does anyone here have pictures, links to pictures, or experience with a literal pinhead sized melanoma?

      Thank you!

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 2, 2014 at 2:28 am
        LuckyMan51
        Participant

          If it really bothers you ask him to do a shave and send it to pathology for biopsy. I am sure he would do it if you request it but if he doesn't a different dermatologist certainly will. Why lose sleep over something you can control and get an answer to quickly. It probably is nothing but just shave it and get a good nights sleep and get a weight lifted off your shoulders. Worst case you are a little neurotic but best case you are very diligently watching your skin for any changes. I'd bet most stage IV people, like myself, wish we were all a bit more diligent in self inspection in case we could have caught something early. Good luck. 

          • September 2, 2014 at 2:28 am
          LuckyMan51
          Participant

            If it really bothers you ask him to do a shave and send it to pathology for biopsy. I am sure he would do it if you request it but if he doesn't a different dermatologist certainly will. Why lose sleep over something you can control and get an answer to quickly. It probably is nothing but just shave it and get a good nights sleep and get a weight lifted off your shoulders. Worst case you are a little neurotic but best case you are very diligently watching your skin for any changes. I'd bet most stage IV people, like myself, wish we were all a bit more diligent in self inspection in case we could have caught something early. Good luck. 

            • September 2, 2014 at 2:28 am
            LuckyMan51
            Participant

              If it really bothers you ask him to do a shave and send it to pathology for biopsy. I am sure he would do it if you request it but if he doesn't a different dermatologist certainly will. Why lose sleep over something you can control and get an answer to quickly. It probably is nothing but just shave it and get a good nights sleep and get a weight lifted off your shoulders. Worst case you are a little neurotic but best case you are very diligently watching your skin for any changes. I'd bet most stage IV people, like myself, wish we were all a bit more diligent in self inspection in case we could have caught something early. Good luck. 

                • September 2, 2014 at 2:29 pm
                Exhausted
                Participant

                  Thanks for the thoughts, I might just do that.

                  • September 2, 2014 at 2:29 pm
                  Exhausted
                  Participant

                    Thanks for the thoughts, I might just do that.

                    • September 2, 2014 at 2:29 pm
                    Exhausted
                    Participant

                      Thanks for the thoughts, I might just do that.

                    • September 2, 2014 at 3:26 am
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      Has it changed? Is it new?  If you've really had it for a long time and it hasn't changed, then chances are it is fine.  Melanoma doesn't tend to just sit there and not change for years.  But if it is different from all your other moles and has changed, then tell that to your derm.  The internet is a great place to increase your worry, so best not to spend a ton of time researching.  Sounds like you already are doing the right thing by seeing a derm!

                      • September 2, 2014 at 3:26 am
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Has it changed? Is it new?  If you've really had it for a long time and it hasn't changed, then chances are it is fine.  Melanoma doesn't tend to just sit there and not change for years.  But if it is different from all your other moles and has changed, then tell that to your derm.  The internet is a great place to increase your worry, so best not to spend a ton of time researching.  Sounds like you already are doing the right thing by seeing a derm!

                        • September 2, 2014 at 3:26 am
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Has it changed? Is it new?  If you've really had it for a long time and it hasn't changed, then chances are it is fine.  Melanoma doesn't tend to just sit there and not change for years.  But if it is different from all your other moles and has changed, then tell that to your derm.  The internet is a great place to increase your worry, so best not to spend a ton of time researching.  Sounds like you already are doing the right thing by seeing a derm!

                            • September 2, 2014 at 8:00 am
                            Patina
                            Participant
                              Get a biopsy and a good nights sleep.

                              I had a dark mole removed almost 2 years ago. I had had it for as long as I could remember, more than one dermatologist had seeseen and it was melanoma. Lucky to have seen a good dermatologist then.

                              I am on the forum for my Mom, not me. She has stage IV and was diagnosed 1 year after me and about 2 years after my sister. We were lucky we caught it early.

                              She is doing great. Looks like a fast response and a durable one. Go ipi!

                              • September 2, 2014 at 8:00 am
                              Patina
                              Participant
                                Get a biopsy and a good nights sleep.

                                I had a dark mole removed almost 2 years ago. I had had it for as long as I could remember, more than one dermatologist had seeseen and it was melanoma. Lucky to have seen a good dermatologist then.

                                I am on the forum for my Mom, not me. She has stage IV and was diagnosed 1 year after me and about 2 years after my sister. We were lucky we caught it early.

                                She is doing great. Looks like a fast response and a durable one. Go ipi!

                                • September 2, 2014 at 8:00 am
                                Patina
                                Participant
                                  Get a biopsy and a good nights sleep.

                                  I had a dark mole removed almost 2 years ago. I had had it for as long as I could remember, more than one dermatologist had seeseen and it was melanoma. Lucky to have seen a good dermatologist then.

                                  I am on the forum for my Mom, not me. She has stage IV and was diagnosed 1 year after me and about 2 years after my sister. We were lucky we caught it early.

                                  She is doing great. Looks like a fast response and a durable one. Go ipi!

                                  • September 2, 2014 at 2:34 pm
                                  Exhausted
                                  Participant

                                    How big was it and what did it look like?  What finally made you get it cut off?

                                    • September 2, 2014 at 2:34 pm
                                    Exhausted
                                    Participant

                                      How big was it and what did it look like?  What finally made you get it cut off?

                                      • September 2, 2014 at 2:34 pm
                                      Exhausted
                                      Participant

                                        How big was it and what did it look like?  What finally made you get it cut off?

                                        • September 2, 2014 at 2:30 pm
                                        Exhausted
                                        Participant

                                          It hasn't changed and it's not new, it's been there for years.  However, it does seem a bit different than my other moles.  Darker and more solid borders.  Also, you're absolutely right about the internet increasing worry!

                                          • September 2, 2014 at 2:30 pm
                                          Exhausted
                                          Participant

                                            It hasn't changed and it's not new, it's been there for years.  However, it does seem a bit different than my other moles.  Darker and more solid borders.  Also, you're absolutely right about the internet increasing worry!

                                            • September 2, 2014 at 2:30 pm
                                            Exhausted
                                            Participant

                                              It hasn't changed and it's not new, it's been there for years.  However, it does seem a bit different than my other moles.  Darker and more solid borders.  Also, you're absolutely right about the internet increasing worry!

                                              • September 9, 2014 at 3:08 am
                                              Exhausted
                                              Participant

                                                If you are are intrested, it came back as moderately atypical.  That's pretty good compared to some of the alternatives of course, but does make me a bit paranoid of my other moles.  Anyway, thanks again for your advise!

                                                • September 9, 2014 at 3:08 am
                                                Exhausted
                                                Participant

                                                  If you are are intrested, it came back as moderately atypical.  That's pretty good compared to some of the alternatives of course, but does make me a bit paranoid of my other moles.  Anyway, thanks again for your advise!

                                                  • September 9, 2014 at 3:08 am
                                                  Exhausted
                                                  Participant

                                                    If you are are intrested, it came back as moderately atypical.  That's pretty good compared to some of the alternatives of course, but does make me a bit paranoid of my other moles.  Anyway, thanks again for your advise!

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