Need urgent help & advice

Coco-Cat

I've had what I thought was a spot on my upper back for a few weeks, but it's recently got a bit more swollen and started 'tingling' and bothering me a bit. I can't see it (even in the mirror) so I asked my husband to have a look at it tonight and he said it's brown and it's a mole than a spot. I'm obviously rather concerned about this and was wondering if anyone had any experience of anything similar, or if any of the forum docs are out there I'd really appreciate some help and advice.

I am planning on making an appointment with my GP as soon as possible on Monday, but would like to know what to expect because I am quite anxious.

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

I would imagine they would either

A: Make a record of the size and shape etc and get you to monitor it

or

B: Some sort of tissue sample for the labs

I have a mole on my arm that changed shape so I went to the docs but it turned out I had knocked it and it had cut

[Deleted User]

CC, my hubby had a "spot" on his back for ages and as you discribe is starting to get bigger and off to the docs he went and anyway it was a cyst and it was easily removed in the docs surgery under local ant. it is likely to be a hair folical thats become infected, but its better to be safe than sorry and try not to worry.

All the best.

[Deleted User]

Hi Coco

my mums just had a few moles removed - 1 was very obviously a problem and that was removed and biopsied and she then had a little more skin around it removed - that is now fine and no further problem

she has also just been back with a couple more that were suspicious looking and they were removed and found to be ok

she is now all clear and will be checked in 3 months time

dr should have a look and if they are unsure will send you to a specialist who will be more able to tell by looking whether it needs treatment

they often seem to remove any that they want to check out under local anaesthetic and it doesnt seem to be a major procedure

hope its all ok

Coco-Cat

Thanks guys. That's very helpful and made me feel a bit less worried.

Muttley

I have enough moles on my back to make a dalmatian dog envious. I see my GP once every couple of years when one of them starts itching, and he gives me the all clear. It is relatively rare for a mole to go malignant, but you're doing the right thing in seeing your GP.

You might find this relevant:

http://www.themoleclinic.co.uk/

[Deleted User]

GO TO DOCTORS NOW!"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It may be nothing so does not hurt to go!

Have been there with Moles and lumps all come back Neg. but sooner rather than later should be the rule.

Promise you should do it now!

[Deleted User]

Coco
if your GP is concerned youll be off to a skin clinic within 2 weeks, and the thing will be removed
most are nowt to worry about, and peeps always play safe, so dont worry if you do end up in skin clinic

Unknown

I had monitored a mole for a couple of years as it tingled in the summer. But in December it seemed to become more prominent increased diameter, was itchy and looked like a basal cell carcinoma. It was removed 2 months later with a 6mm 'apple corer' in about 5 mins. Luckily it wasn't malignant. But I feel so much better for having it and the concern removed.

Coco-Cat

Thanks everyone for your help. I promise that I will contact the doctor first thing on monday morning and get an appointment.

[Deleted User]

goody!! You look just like my cat treacle:)

candy ollier

i had one that was ok, the doctor said to look for ABCD

which was

Area - is it growing
Border- is it getting irregular
Colour - is it getting lighter or darker
D...... - something else i forgot

candy ollier

Discharge - is there anything oozing out of it?

[Deleted User]

Hi Coco Cat

I had a mole on my knee which was slightly raised and very dark about the sizw of my small finger nail, I went to doctors to stop my sister fussing that I should get it checked out.

Glad I took her advice because I was referred to a specialist within a couple of weeks, it was then removed and found to be malignant. This all happened within the space of six weeks, I am just coming to the end of my 5 year check ups when I shall be given the all clear.

Skin cancer is completely treatable if caught in its early stages, once it starts to spread to the lymph glands it can move around the body very quickly.

So please get it checked out ASAP, skin cancer is on the increase every year in this country.

runnerbeen

Have had 2 moles removed in last 10 years as they changed shape and itched. Both came back all clear. If in doubt "whip em out!"

[Deleted User]

(((((((Coco)))))))))
better to have it checked.

It could be something simple as you could have caught it or got a touch of sunburn on it.

[Deleted User]

Hi. I'm a GP and work in dermatology too.

Agree with the comments from the others - best to have it checked. If it does need removing it's a minor procedure under local anesthetic and usually takes 10-15 mins.

The 'D' stands for diameter as most melanomas are larger than 6-7mm. However this is the least relevant of the ABCD criteria as lots of normal moles are >1cm.

Coco-Cat

Hi all. Many thanks for your support and advice. I went (as promised) to the GP first thing this morning. I've actually got 2 moles on my back which look as though they have been rubbed and become lesions. Ironically the doctor thinks that my running kit has been rubbing them and is the main cause of the irritation!

He's going to take them off under local anaesthetic, as runningdad described, in about 5 weeks time and send them for analysis to be on the safe side. But he really doesn't think that there is anything to worry about, particularly as I don't spend lots of time in the sun and there's no history of skin cancer in my family.

But it has put my mind at rest and will ease the irritation, so I'm hugely grateful for all of you encouraging me to go to the GP.