Help and advise needed!

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  • Post
    • September 3, 2014 at 3:39 pm
    Maddix07
    Participant
      Hello all! I am new here. I am 25 years old. I went to the dermatologist yesterday to have a mole checked. She looked at it for a long time and had her student that was training look at it. She said it wasn’t worthy of a biopsy at this time but I need to keep an eye on it. I am still very worried about it. I caught notice of the mole over the past few months. It is a round brown flat mole with a black dot on one end. The black dot is what scares me. Should I trust the dermatologist and wait it out or see someone for another opinion.
      Thank you!

      Also is there anyway I can post a picture of it?

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 3, 2014 at 4:34 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Posting a picture isn't all that helpful.  Pictures don't diagnose, only biopsies do.  You are on a melanoma board and everyone will tell you to get it biopsied to play it safe.  What I suggest doing is take that picture you have and check it monthly against the mole.  If it changes at all, have it removed.  If it stays the same, it's probably fine dot and all.  For me, change is the #1 criteria for removal.  In the end, you have to trust YOUR gut feeling, not any doctors. 

          • September 3, 2014 at 4:34 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            Posting a picture isn't all that helpful.  Pictures don't diagnose, only biopsies do.  You are on a melanoma board and everyone will tell you to get it biopsied to play it safe.  What I suggest doing is take that picture you have and check it monthly against the mole.  If it changes at all, have it removed.  If it stays the same, it's probably fine dot and all.  For me, change is the #1 criteria for removal.  In the end, you have to trust YOUR gut feeling, not any doctors. 

              • September 3, 2014 at 5:38 pm
              MacMac
              Participant

                I had what I thought was a pimple (I never had a mole there). After several months the "pimple" started changing color and became asymmetrical. My primary Dr said she didn't think it was anything but sent me to a Dermatologist anyway. The dermatologist didn’t' seem too alarmed but biopsied it be safe (I also have a great aunt that passed from melanoma). So imagine my surprise when I heard the word cancer. So yes any change please get it biopsied. Always better to be safe than sorry.

                • September 3, 2014 at 5:38 pm
                MacMac
                Participant

                  I had what I thought was a pimple (I never had a mole there). After several months the "pimple" started changing color and became asymmetrical. My primary Dr said she didn't think it was anything but sent me to a Dermatologist anyway. The dermatologist didn’t' seem too alarmed but biopsied it be safe (I also have a great aunt that passed from melanoma). So imagine my surprise when I heard the word cancer. So yes any change please get it biopsied. Always better to be safe than sorry.

                  • September 3, 2014 at 9:29 pm
                  A
                  Participant

                    I am sorry about your diagnosis. Could you please describe in detiles how this "pimple" looked for several months (color, shape etc, was the color disapeearing when pressing on it). What color did it have when become assymetrical? Any info would be appreciated to increase the awareness of "atypiclly" looking melanoma. Thanks!

                    • September 3, 2014 at 9:29 pm
                    A
                    Participant

                      I am sorry about your diagnosis. Could you please describe in detiles how this "pimple" looked for several months (color, shape etc, was the color disapeearing when pressing on it). What color did it have when become assymetrical? Any info would be appreciated to increase the awareness of "atypiclly" looking melanoma. Thanks!

                      • September 3, 2014 at 9:29 pm
                      A
                      Participant

                        I am sorry about your diagnosis. Could you please describe in detiles how this "pimple" looked for several months (color, shape etc, was the color disapeearing when pressing on it). What color did it have when become assymetrical? Any info would be appreciated to increase the awareness of "atypiclly" looking melanoma. Thanks!

                        • September 3, 2014 at 5:38 pm
                        MacMac
                        Participant

                          I had what I thought was a pimple (I never had a mole there). After several months the "pimple" started changing color and became asymmetrical. My primary Dr said she didn't think it was anything but sent me to a Dermatologist anyway. The dermatologist didn’t' seem too alarmed but biopsied it be safe (I also have a great aunt that passed from melanoma). So imagine my surprise when I heard the word cancer. So yes any change please get it biopsied. Always better to be safe than sorry.

                        • September 3, 2014 at 4:34 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Posting a picture isn't all that helpful.  Pictures don't diagnose, only biopsies do.  You are on a melanoma board and everyone will tell you to get it biopsied to play it safe.  What I suggest doing is take that picture you have and check it monthly against the mole.  If it changes at all, have it removed.  If it stays the same, it's probably fine dot and all.  For me, change is the #1 criteria for removal.  In the end, you have to trust YOUR gut feeling, not any doctors. 

                          • September 3, 2014 at 5:56 pm
                          CHD
                          Participant

                            Also, if a mole is significantly different from other moles on your body, sometimes that alone will warrant a biopsy (the "ugly duckling" criteria).  I had one like this on my back that was removed and turned out to be nothing.  There is a lot to be said for peace of mind and there is no reason you need to settle for one dermatologist's opinion if you are worried.  Some dermatologists are not averse to removing unusual-looking moles for a patient who is worried, and there seems to be a lot of variation from one derm to another.

                            • September 3, 2014 at 5:56 pm
                            CHD
                            Participant

                              Also, if a mole is significantly different from other moles on your body, sometimes that alone will warrant a biopsy (the "ugly duckling" criteria).  I had one like this on my back that was removed and turned out to be nothing.  There is a lot to be said for peace of mind and there is no reason you need to settle for one dermatologist's opinion if you are worried.  Some dermatologists are not averse to removing unusual-looking moles for a patient who is worried, and there seems to be a lot of variation from one derm to another.

                              • September 3, 2014 at 5:56 pm
                              CHD
                              Participant

                                Also, if a mole is significantly different from other moles on your body, sometimes that alone will warrant a biopsy (the "ugly duckling" criteria).  I had one like this on my back that was removed and turned out to be nothing.  There is a lot to be said for peace of mind and there is no reason you need to settle for one dermatologist's opinion if you are worried.  Some dermatologists are not averse to removing unusual-looking moles for a patient who is worried, and there seems to be a lot of variation from one derm to another.

                                • September 4, 2014 at 3:38 am
                                Lil0909
                                Participant

                                  When in doubt, cut it out!  My (former) dermatologist didn't want to remove a mole I was suspicious about.   9 months later I insisted she remove it….. now stage 3a… go with your gut, it's way better to be safe than sorry! 

                                  • September 4, 2014 at 3:38 am
                                  Lil0909
                                  Participant

                                    When in doubt, cut it out!  My (former) dermatologist didn't want to remove a mole I was suspicious about.   9 months later I insisted she remove it….. now stage 3a… go with your gut, it's way better to be safe than sorry! 

                                    • September 4, 2014 at 3:38 am
                                    Lil0909
                                    Participant

                                      When in doubt, cut it out!  My (former) dermatologist didn't want to remove a mole I was suspicious about.   9 months later I insisted she remove it….. now stage 3a… go with your gut, it's way better to be safe than sorry! 

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