Malignant Melanoma?? (LONG)

saramae87 · September 2011

During my pregnancy with Sophia, my belly button popped out and I noticed a mole on my actual belly button- it's light in color, almost skin-colored so I thought nothing of it. Then after Sophia was born I noticed a lump behind the upper part of my belly button (about the size of a nickel) and assumed perhaps it was a hernia from pushing so hard during delivery. Anyway, I decided to have it checked out a couple of weeks ago and my doc ruled out a hernia and mentioned "Malignant Melanoma"... Say what!??? He explained that during pregnancy, your hormones can progress the growth of tumors/cysts etc... hence his worry for possible cancer. I guess this is why it is so dangerous for pregnant women with cancer to continue the pregnancy- he explained that pregnancy hormones progress cancer therefore making it incredibly dangerous to carry on with pregnancy.

Growing up in Southern California, I recall loading up on baby oil and dark tanning lotions- sun block was for the fair-skinned to prevent burns. That's the way I was brought up... plus we didn't know what we do now about tanning and it's dangers.

My GP ran blood work and nothing alarming showed up there so now I have an appointment next week with a surgeon to check out this "lump". I don't know if they'll biopsy it right away or run other tests first. After googling Malignant Melanoma, the mole I have looks nothing like the moles that typically occur with this disease so I'm not sure what to think.

At 24 years old and having just became a mother, its certainly scary to hear "possible cancer" and "malignant melanoma"... I can only remain optimistic. My husband keeps saying, "I am sure you are fine." Which I realize is his attempt to put me at ease but dude, really!!?? I love him for keeping his cool and trying to be reassuring but it'd be nice for his emotion-less self to share in my concern as well. I'm sure he's concerned, his passive attitude just isn't helpful in this situation however!

Vent over. I'll keep you all updated.

elisbu · September 2011

I found a small skin cancer after DD was born also.

That is scary and I would push for the surgeon to do a biopsy right away. better yet, are you seeing a derm? If not, I would call one tomorrow and make an appointment.
I really hope that because it's light in color it's not melanoma, but one of the easier cancers to treat...or not cancer at all!!!!

Good Luck and keep us posted!

Lisa Frank · September 2011

Just a referral to a surgeon? Why no consult with a dermatologist?

My Dad is a derm, and I would highly suggest getting an appointment with a well-respected derm. ASAP.

saramae87 · September 2011

Lisa Frank:
Just a referral to a surgeon? Why no consult with a dermatologist?
My Dad is a derm, and I would highly suggest getting an appointment with a well-respected derm. ASAP.

I was given the number for a derm as well. But have only made an appointment with the surgeon for the lump behind my belly button thus far. Once that appointment is over with, I will see the derm.

lyndsaynicole · September 2011

I don't have any advice or anything, I just wanted to say good luck and I'll say a prayer for you!

Lisa Frank · September 2011

saramae87:
Lisa Frank:
Just a referral to a surgeon? Why no consult with a dermatologist?
My Dad is a derm, and I would highly suggest getting an appointment with a well-respected derm. ASAP.

I was given the number for a derm as well. But have only made an appointment with the surgeon for the lump behind my belly button thus far. Once that appointment is over with, I will see the derm.

See the derm FIRST. The surgeon would be your last bet. You need to have the lump/mole biopsied by someone that knows what they are doing.

That's my best advice. Good luck, I'll be thinking about you!

meaganrn · September 2011

Meh, not sure this is the best advice. Cannot tell you how many referrals my DH gets for things derms have hacked out poorly. (No offense, your Dad may be amazing but most derms can diagnose, biopsy, shave, etc but they can leave some pretty hideous scars). With the mass she'll need it out regardless likely (even if biopsy showed normal cell structures she'd need to follow it for years so most people would rec removal right off, no need to bother with a biopsy). I don't think it's the worst idea for you too see a surgeon. I WOULD highly recommend you see a plastic surgeon for scarring purposes, but I'm biased.

sparkymcgeee · September 2011

That's scary to hear! Hopefully it's nothing. Keep us updated.

You have inspired me to go get a mole I developed during the pregnancy looked at. It's been on my to do list but I think it just got bumped up.

Lisa Frank · September 2011

meaganrn:
Meh, not sure this is the best advice. Cannot tell you how many referrals my DH gets for things derms have hacked out poorly. (No offense, your Dad may be amazing but most derms can diagnose, biopsy, shave, etc but they can leave some pretty hideous scars). With the mass she'll need it out regardless likely (even if biopsy showed normal cell structures she'd need to follow it for years so most people would rec removal right off, no need to bother with a biopsy). I don't think it's the worst idea for you too see a surgeon. I WOULD highly recommend you see a plastic surgeon for scarring purposes, but I'm biased.

Seriously? :headdesk:

If it's malignant melanoma, you kind of need to know that.

And I believe you are seeing crappy derms, and I feel it's bad advice to tell her not to have it biopsied. Are you serious or was that a typo?

In the case it is malignant melanoma, she may see a Mohs derm/surgeon who is part of the derm practice (my Dad's partner is one of the best in the country).

NeverEnoughTime · September 2011

thinking of you

meaganrn · September 2011

You're attitude is a little odd. I mean, my mom is a CPA but I don't give people tax advice KWIM? Anyways, what I meant by don't bother with a biopsy is that a surgeon should just remove the whole thing and send it to pathology (since it seems to be attached to a mass). I didn't say, 'have it removed and don't bother finding out what it is'...Also, for what it's worth, Mohs has a much lower curative rate for Melanoma (it's mostly recommended for Basal cells and some squamous cell cancers). Since it is, once again, attached to a mass, probably not the best idea.

meaganrn · September 2011

And I forgot to add that I hope it's nothing serious OP!

Lisa Frank · September 2011

meaganrn:
You're attitude is a little odd. I mean, my mom is a CPA but I don't give people tax advice KWIM? Anyways, what I meant by don't bother with a biopsy is that a surgeon should just remove the whole thing and send it to pathology (since it seems to be attached to a mass). I didn't say, 'have it removed and don't bother finding out what it is'...Also, for what it's worth, Mohs has a much lower curative rate for Melanoma (it's mostly recommended for Basal cells and some squamous cell cancers). Since it is, once again, attached to a mass, probably not the best idea.

My attitude is odd? Okey dokey then.

I simply suggested that the OP see a derm if a GP thinks it might be skin cancer. I mean, that's their related field. Sending her straight away to a surgeon seemed odd to me. I would have said the same thing even if my Dad wasn't a derm.

And your Mom is a CPA? Cool, so am I.

Kristysyr · September 2011

I had a Melanoma while pregnant with my son. I had it removed while I was 7 months pregnant. I was lucky in that it was small and was able to have a deep and wide excision.

I went to a specialist at NYU Dr. Richard Shapiro. He worked with pregnant women before. While I think your doctor is right that pregnancy could have made this happen-if that is what it is- there are no good studies to say that this is true.

My Melanoma was a rare form called Desmoplastic. It was on my upper back and it was painful, most melanoma is not symptomatic. It also did not look like a regular melanoma it sort of looked like a scar.

I see that you are from Texas and there is a really good research hospital for Melanoma there...you'd have to look it up if it comes to that...I feel that you go where they do the research! I have had nothing but wonderful care.

My melanoma did not spread but I did have to have 20 treatments of radiation as it is a type of melanoma that if anything it comes back to the same area. So the radiation was to keep this from happening.

I know it is scary but keep a positive attitude. Before I knew how big the melanoma was that I had several "break downs".

hugs!!!

Kristy

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