is it recurrence?

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  • Post
    • September 20, 2015 at 2:52 am
    Remi
    Participant
      Hi
      I was diagnosed just over a year ago with 0.4mm VGP no miotic rate which was all removed and I had a year of quarterly check ups. I was discharged in June and haven’t given it much thought since until this weekend as I have a red spot growing in the middle of my scar and can feel it as a tiny raised bit. Can you gets spots on a scar? Should I be concerned our would it be black if it was recurrence of melanoma?
    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 20, 2015 at 3:57 am
        ET-SF
        Participant

          What you describe is the sort of thing ET's dermatologist told us to watch for and report to him (immediately).  You should have it exmined.

          And yes, melanoma can be red.  It can also be purple, blue, pink, and even flesh-toned.  Do a search for "amelanotic melanoma."

          The spot definitely deserves a look.

            • September 20, 2015 at 7:13 am
            Remi
            Participant
              But Is it possible to have a normal spot on scar tissue? It seems so small I worry they will think I’m a melodramatic ttime waster. if you can put a photo on here I could show you.
              • September 20, 2015 at 5:59 pm
              ET-SF
              Participant

                Good question.  I think the answer might easily be "yes."  I say that because ET's melanoma developed inside a scar where she was poked in the arm by a stick (that went deep into the subcutis).  Hers is a very weird case, I grant you.  But it did happen.  Many doctors are quick to tell us the poke in the arm from the stick would not have "caused" melanoma, and I agree.  However, I suspect there was something about the wound that (1) stimulated a damaged melanocyte to divide and (2) perhaps encapsulated that melanocyte enough to protect it from attack by the immune system.  This is only speculation on my part.  There are isolated case histories in the literature of melanomas secondary to an injury.

                • September 20, 2015 at 5:59 pm
                ET-SF
                Participant

                  Good question.  I think the answer might easily be "yes."  I say that because ET's melanoma developed inside a scar where she was poked in the arm by a stick (that went deep into the subcutis).  Hers is a very weird case, I grant you.  But it did happen.  Many doctors are quick to tell us the poke in the arm from the stick would not have "caused" melanoma, and I agree.  However, I suspect there was something about the wound that (1) stimulated a damaged melanocyte to divide and (2) perhaps encapsulated that melanocyte enough to protect it from attack by the immune system.  This is only speculation on my part.  There are isolated case histories in the literature of melanomas secondary to an injury.

                  • September 20, 2015 at 5:59 pm
                  ET-SF
                  Participant

                    Good question.  I think the answer might easily be "yes."  I say that because ET's melanoma developed inside a scar where she was poked in the arm by a stick (that went deep into the subcutis).  Hers is a very weird case, I grant you.  But it did happen.  Many doctors are quick to tell us the poke in the arm from the stick would not have "caused" melanoma, and I agree.  However, I suspect there was something about the wound that (1) stimulated a damaged melanocyte to divide and (2) perhaps encapsulated that melanocyte enough to protect it from attack by the immune system.  This is only speculation on my part.  There are isolated case histories in the literature of melanomas secondary to an injury.

                    • September 20, 2015 at 7:13 am
                    Remi
                    Participant
                      But Is it possible to have a normal spot on scar tissue? It seems so small I worry they will think I’m a melodramatic ttime waster. if you can put a photo on here I could show you.
                      • September 20, 2015 at 7:13 am
                      Remi
                      Participant
                        But Is it possible to have a normal spot on scar tissue? It seems so small I worry they will think I’m a melodramatic ttime waster. if you can put a photo on here I could show you.
                      • September 20, 2015 at 3:57 am
                      ET-SF
                      Participant

                        What you describe is the sort of thing ET's dermatologist told us to watch for and report to him (immediately).  You should have it exmined.

                        And yes, melanoma can be red.  It can also be purple, blue, pink, and even flesh-toned.  Do a search for "amelanotic melanoma."

                        The spot definitely deserves a look.

                        • September 20, 2015 at 3:57 am
                        ET-SF
                        Participant

                          What you describe is the sort of thing ET's dermatologist told us to watch for and report to him (immediately).  You should have it exmined.

                          And yes, melanoma can be red.  It can also be purple, blue, pink, and even flesh-toned.  Do a search for "amelanotic melanoma."

                          The spot definitely deserves a look.

                          • September 20, 2015 at 9:38 am
                          JC
                          Participant

                            My WLE scar from 4 1/2 years ago has changed color many times, sometimes due to weather or hot or cold showers or whatever, sometimes more purple, sometimes more pink, i think scars change over time.  Anything of concern, get checked, but I would not overly worry.

                              • September 20, 2015 at 11:22 am
                              Remi
                              Participant
                                Thanks for replies I am going to call on Monday. I agree my scar seems to look a different colour and shape everyday but the bit that worries me is slightly raised red spot in the middle. prob fine but I need to put my mind at rest x
                                • September 20, 2015 at 11:22 am
                                Remi
                                Participant
                                  Thanks for replies I am going to call on Monday. I agree my scar seems to look a different colour and shape everyday but the bit that worries me is slightly raised red spot in the middle. prob fine but I need to put my mind at rest x
                                  • September 20, 2015 at 4:07 pm
                                  liberty04281
                                  Participant
                                    I would be worried too, not because of the color. but because of the raised spot. It should be definitely checked.
                                    Good luck!
                                    • September 20, 2015 at 4:07 pm
                                    liberty04281
                                    Participant
                                      I would be worried too, not because of the color. but because of the raised spot. It should be definitely checked.
                                      Good luck!
                                      • September 20, 2015 at 4:07 pm
                                      liberty04281
                                      Participant
                                        I would be worried too, not because of the color. but because of the raised spot. It should be definitely checked.
                                        Good luck!
                                        • September 21, 2015 at 8:47 am
                                        stars
                                        Participant

                                          I think after melanoma, both patients and doctors can be alot more cautious than they normally would – I'd get anything and everything checked so its either found early OR I get peace of mind. Good on you for getting it checked – you are doing the right thing.

                                          • September 21, 2015 at 8:47 am
                                          stars
                                          Participant

                                            I think after melanoma, both patients and doctors can be alot more cautious than they normally would – I'd get anything and everything checked so its either found early OR I get peace of mind. Good on you for getting it checked – you are doing the right thing.

                                            • September 21, 2015 at 8:47 am
                                            stars
                                            Participant

                                              I think after melanoma, both patients and doctors can be alot more cautious than they normally would – I'd get anything and everything checked so its either found early OR I get peace of mind. Good on you for getting it checked – you are doing the right thing.

                                              • September 20, 2015 at 11:22 am
                                              Remi
                                              Participant
                                                Thanks for replies I am going to call on Monday. I agree my scar seems to look a different colour and shape everyday but the bit that worries me is slightly raised red spot in the middle. prob fine but I need to put my mind at rest x
                                              • September 20, 2015 at 9:38 am
                                              JC
                                              Participant

                                                My WLE scar from 4 1/2 years ago has changed color many times, sometimes due to weather or hot or cold showers or whatever, sometimes more purple, sometimes more pink, i think scars change over time.  Anything of concern, get checked, but I would not overly worry.

                                                • September 20, 2015 at 9:38 am
                                                JC
                                                Participant

                                                  My WLE scar from 4 1/2 years ago has changed color many times, sometimes due to weather or hot or cold showers or whatever, sometimes more purple, sometimes more pink, i think scars change over time.  Anything of concern, get checked, but I would not overly worry.

                                                  • September 20, 2015 at 9:15 pm
                                                  Momofjake
                                                  Participant

                                                    My sons Mel was removed from his scalp. A month or so later a doctor moved his hair aside after a lump grew behind his ear. The scar had bluish discoloration around and on it. His Mel color is bluish. Our doctor said its common to return around the original site. 

                                                    I guess you should get checked soon. Good luck!!

                                                    • September 20, 2015 at 9:15 pm
                                                    Momofjake
                                                    Participant

                                                      My sons Mel was removed from his scalp. A month or so later a doctor moved his hair aside after a lump grew behind his ear. The scar had bluish discoloration around and on it. His Mel color is bluish. Our doctor said its common to return around the original site. 

                                                      I guess you should get checked soon. Good luck!!

                                                      • September 20, 2015 at 9:15 pm
                                                      Momofjake
                                                      Participant

                                                        My sons Mel was removed from his scalp. A month or so later a doctor moved his hair aside after a lump grew behind his ear. The scar had bluish discoloration around and on it. His Mel color is bluish. Our doctor said its common to return around the original site. 

                                                        I guess you should get checked soon. Good luck!!

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