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A diagnosis of skin cancer or finding a suspicious spot can be frightening. Experts from the Skin Cancer Foundation and members can help you through the maze of diagnosis and treatment.
For more information:
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Health Center
Precancerous Lesions and Skin Cancer
Blog - Cancer Realities
For more information:
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Health Center
Precancerous Lesions and Skin Cancer
Blog - Cancer Realities
Melanoma diagnosis
BOSLDYK posted:
I had a suspicious mole on the right side of my face close to my chin and went to the dermatologist
to have it looked at . . he said he didn't think it was skin cancer but that he thought he should still do a biopsy and send it off to be tested by a pathologist . . unfortunately, the test results have shown it truly is skin cancer that is melanoma . . I have an appointment w/a plastic surgeon to have the melanoma removed . . I am terrified because on top of skin cancer it is on my face . . my doctor told me that it is thin . . minimally invasive . . in Stage 1 . . w/0.2 depth . . My concern is getting rid of this
cancer but also how much will be taken off my face and the results in appearance of my face afterwards?? Can I expect a big scar or will there be minimal cutting away and minimal scarring since my melanoma is both thin and not too deep?? Help!! I am terrified . .
6 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Melanoma diagnosisI had a suspicious mole on the right side of my face close to my chin and went to the dermatologist
to have it looked at . . he said he didn't think it was skin cancer but that he thought he should still do a biopsy and send it off to be tested by a pathologist . . unfortunately, the test results have shown it truly is skin cancer that is melanoma . . I have an appointment w/a plastic surgeon to have the melanoma removed . . I am terrified because on top of skin cancer it is on my face . . my doctor told me that it is thin . . minimally invasive . . in Stage 1 . . w/0.2 depth . . My concern is getting rid of this
cancer but also how much will be taken off my face and the results in appearance of my face afterwards?? Can I expect a big scar or will there be minimal cutting away and minimal scarring since my melanoma is both thin and not too deep?? Help!! I am terrified . .
Annie_WebMD_Staff responded:
Hi Bosldyk, Those are great questions to ask your plastic surgeon at your consultation. Since your skin cancer is minimally invasive ask what kind of surgery you can expect. I would suggest making a binder to keep copies of all of your biopsy and pathology reports as well as getting copies of the procedures and diagnoses so that you can keep track. Write down your questions in a journal to bring along with you at your consultation so that you don't forget what you want to ask. Please take things one day at a time and don't go borrowing trouble -- even though that's hard to do when you are thinking the worst. Please click on the Programs For You link at the top of this board to read more about Skin Cancers and Melanoma in particular. Be sure to be vigilant about protecting your skin from now on. Good luck with your doctor's visit and let us know how you do! - Annie
Report This| Share this:Melanoma diagnosisHi Bosldyk, Those are great questions to ask your plastic surgeon at your consultation. Since your skin cancer is minimally invasive ask what kind of surgery you can expect. I would suggest making a binder to keep copies of all of your biopsy and pathology reports as well as getting copies of the procedures and diagnoses so that you can keep track. Write down your questions in a journal to bring along with you at your consultation so that you don't forget what you want to ask. Please take things one day at a time and don't go borrowing trouble -- even though that's hard to do when you are thinking the worst. Please click on the Programs For You link at the top of this board to read more about Skin Cancers and Melanoma in particular. Be sure to be vigilant about protecting your skin from now on. Good luck with your doctor's visit and let us know how you do! - Annie
Little2Roses responded:
Hello,
I just found out that my father has skin cancer. My parents wont give me much information which I think is the scariest part. All my mother would say was it's not the worst but not good either. I believe it was found on his right back shoulder. My father was a brick layer and was out in the sun everyday, most of the time without sun block I'm sure. I'm just really scared and confused for him. I know he is having surgery on the 21st of October. Any inside help is greatly appreciated. 
Jessica
JessicaReport This| Share this:Melanoma diagnosisHello,
I just found out that my father has skin cancer. My parents wont give me much information which I think is the scariest part. All my mother would say was it's not the worst but not good either. I believe it was found on his right back shoulder. My father was a brick layer and was out in the sun everyday, most of the time without sun block I'm sure. I'm just really scared and confused for him. I know he is having surgery on the 21st of October. Any inside help is greatly appreciated. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/sad.gif" align="top" border="0">
Jessica
ErikHoopingarner responded:
Hang in there. Worry about clearing the ailment first. Scar relief and other treatments are awesome nowadays and this will be fine I just sense it from what you are saying here.
I got a diagnosis today of melanocytic nevus on my scalp in my hairline (Male). I keep a shaved head so not thrilled cuz they are gonna have to go really deep on next round but better to clear it out and be safe.
Keep in touch, hang in there. Hit me any time.
I got a diagnosis today of melanocytic nevus on my scalp in my hairline (Male). I keep a shaved head so not thrilled cuz they are gonna have to go really deep on next round but better to clear it out and be safe.
Keep in touch, hang in there. Hit me any time.
Report This| Share this:Melanoma diagnosisHang in there. Worry about clearing the ailment first. Scar relief and other treatments are awesome nowadays and this will be fine I just sense it from what you are saying here. <br><br>I got a diagnosis today of melanocytic nevus on my scalp in my hairline (Male). I keep a shaved head so not thrilled cuz they are gonna have to go really deep on next round but better to clear it out and be safe. <br><br>Keep in touch, hang in there. Hit me any time.
Annie_WebMD_Staff responded:
Hi Little2Roses, There are three main types of skin cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma Melanoma You can look up each of these types of skin cancer by using the WebMD search engine or clicking on the Programs For You area to get to our Skin Cancer Center. Please don't go borrowing trouble though. Once your dad has surgery the tissue will be sent to pathology so that it can be looked at to determine what kind of cancer it is, whether it's invasive and from there whether your dad is cured or whether there is more treatment needed. It's difficult but please take things one day at a time! Good luck! - Annie
Report This| Share this:Melanoma diagnosisHi Little2Roses, There are three main types of skin cancer. <a rel=nofollow href=http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/basal-cell-carcinoma>Basal Cell Carcinoma</a>, <a rel=nofollow href=http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/skin-cancer-non-melanoma-treatment-health-professional-information-nci-pdq-squamous-cell-carcinoma>Squamous Cell Carcinoma</a> <a rel=nofollow href=http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/melanoma-guide/melanoma-skin-cancer-types>Melanoma</a> You can look up each of these types of skin cancer by using the WebMD search engine or clicking on the Programs For You area to get to our Skin Cancer Center. Please don't go borrowing trouble though. Once your dad has surgery the tissue will be sent to pathology so that it can be looked at to determine what kind of cancer it is, whether it's invasive and from there whether your dad is cured or whether there is more treatment needed. It's difficult but please take things one day at a time! Good luck! - Annie
Watercolor6900 responded:
You would be surprised what a good plastic surgeon can do. You face should look fine and the plastic surgeon will get a clean margin. My best friend had surgery on her neck, and the surgeon told her to buy vitiam E capsules and put a small hole in them and put the vitiam E on the scar daily and you cannot see the scar and a plastic surgeon did not do the surgery. I think you will be more than pleased with your out come. Best to you.
Report This| Share this:Melanoma diagnosisYou would be surprised what a good plastic surgeon can do. You face should look fine and the plastic surgeon will get a clean margin. My best friend had surgery on her neck, and the surgeon told her to buy vitiam E capsules and put a small hole in them and put the vitiam E on the scar daily and you cannot see the scar and a plastic surgeon did not do the surgery. I think you will be more than pleased with your out come. Best to you.
tluv responded:
They had to go pretty deep to remove my Melanoma from my bicep(you could have fit a can of chew in the hole-depth/circumference). They used some newer burn patient technology to regrow skin tissue in the hole. The hole almost completely filled up with new tissue and I have a slight dip. I have my scar and was told that a plastic surgeon could make it look better, but I keep the scar as a reminder of what I went through and what I survived. It's my "battle wound" and I wear it proudly!
Report This| Share this:Melanoma diagnosisThey had to go pretty deep to remove my Melanoma from my bicep(you could have fit a can of chew in the hole-depth/circumference). They used some newer burn patient technology to regrow skin tissue in the hole. The hole almost completely filled up with new tissue and I have a slight dip. I have my scar and was told that a plastic surgeon could make it look better, but I keep the scar as a reminder of what I went through and what I survived. It's my "battle wound" and I wear it proudly!
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