Recurring Melanoma

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Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with Melanoma stage 3C in 2014 on my lower leg which had spread to my nymph nodes, I had a total lymphadenectomy carried out along with CT and MRI scans which found I also had thyroid cancer and early stage liver cancer so after a full thyroid removal and 60% of my liver cut away - These additional cancers were not a spread of the Melanoma cancers they were 3 different cancers....!!  Since then I have been fine..... until now I have found a lump on my leg (the same leg as before) the lump is a small pea sized and firm to the touch it is very close to where my lymph nodes were.  I have read online (NHS Birmingham) that melanoma can come back as a lump under the skin on the limb that was effected initially.  I know I have to get it check out and I have a routine telephone appointment with the dermatology in 3 weeks, but I can't stop thinking about it and wondering whether I should do or say something now or would waiting 3 weeks be reasonable?  Has anyone else had recurring melanoma?  Thank you Jx

  • Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community. 

    I was diagnosed with melanoma four years ago and, whilst it's never recurred, my consultant always reminds me at check-ups to get in touch with my SCNS if I find anything that I'm concerned about and not to wait until my next appointment. Hopefully it'll be nothing but it might be best to get it checked as soon as possible. 

    It would be great if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

    Do let us know how you get on

    x

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  • Hi Joobee,

    I have had three pea sized lumps appear in my body during the last few years.  The first was a groin lymph node, removed with the adjacent one.  The second a lump in my wrist, which was melanoma.  The third in the bottom of my foot which was benign.

    If I were you I'd call your specialist at the hospital, because it may well not be something the dermatologist  deals with. Generally the NHS will want to see you with two weeks for mysterious bumps with your history.  Besides which its perhaps better for your head to know that its being taken care of and you have an appointment scheduled?

    Take care and let us know what you decide.

    J

    Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out and find it!

  • Thank you for your replies, I went to Doctors and have been advised that Dermatology have marked it as an urgent review and should be in contact soon, I will keep you updated. x

  • That's good to hear . Hopefully you shouldn't have too long to wait.

    x

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     "Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

  • Hi

    Good to hear you are going to be seen quickly - though I am sure time feels like an eternity right now.  

    Melanoma came back for me last October after 2 years.  Same as yourself, it was a lump under the skin.  It's been a bit of a twisty and turny road, after 6 months I am only half a dose of immunotherapy in.  That's because  my immune system took exception to immunotherapy and decided to go for health tissue instead.  I have had 3 surgeries though so that is positive,  The medical care has been outstanding.  I hope it is the same for you too.

    Sounds like you have had a really tough time.  What an awful lot to have to deal with.

    I hope it is not inappropriate to say 'thinking of you and hoping for a positive outcome for you'.  It is such a roller coaster of experiences and emotions. 

    Stay strong and everything crossed for you.

    BP

  • Hi

    Have you had a date through to see the dermatologist about the lump you've noticed on your leg?

    x

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  • Hi Latchbrook, I had my appointment and they arranged to remove the lump for biopsy and also another mole on my other foot, this was carried out 19th May and I got my results yesterday.  Unfortunately the lump is a nodular melanoma and a recurrence of the original melanoma.  The other mole they removed is a new melanoma.  So I am just waiting on a CT scan to see how to move forward with treatment.  Sorry I couldn't reply earlier but managed to lose my password and my emails were locked as well so couldn't re-set it.  I hope you are well.  x

  • Hi Bramblepie, thank you and yes unfortunately it came back as melanoma (nodular) of the original melanoma - also at the same time they took another mole from my other foot and that came back as a new melanoma!  So I am just waiting on a CT scan to see if it has spread at all.  Then they will decide on my treatment, but they did mention immunotherapy.  I hope you are keeping well. 

  • Sorry to hear your news  and there's no need to apologise for not replying earlier.

    I'm having a suspicious mole removed from my back and a BCC from my chest on Wednesday so fingers crossed that it's not another melanoma Fingers crossed

    Let us know when you have the date for your CT scan.

    x

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     "Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

  • Thanks Latchbrook, I will keep you updated and hope it all goes well Friday and fingers crossed for you too and also keep me updated.