Skin cancer ( MELENOMA )

**diavalo13666** · 17-03-12, 08:48 AM

Well this is just a heads up for people who dismiss having a checkup
and think that everything is ok.

There are various types and most look like what every one describes and looks like the pictures they show on the net and in commercials

BUT

There is one in particular that looks nothing like a melanoma and and is over looked by your local gp and even misdiagnosed by a skin specialist until they
cut it out and have it tested.

it is Acral Lentiginous Melanoma it is a rare form in Australia and accounts for less than 5% and ALM is sometimes referred to as a “hidden melanoma” because these lesions occur on parts of the body not easily examined or not thought necessary to examine.

The reason i am posting about this is because my wife has been diagnosed with a level 4 melanoma which was not thought to be one until it was cut out this week only to be told that it infact was a malignant melanoma and that she will have to see the specialist in Brisbane next week to determine what course of action will need to be taken now and to determine if and how far it has spread.

They are saying she is lucky because it has not ulcerated yet BUT because it was 2.5mm deep that meant it has got into the blood system .

I have not posted this for any sympathy or alike but to try and make people aware of the issue and to take 1hr out of your week and go get checked out.
This disease does not discriminate so it does not matter whether you are 15 or 105 it can effect you so get yourself and the whole family checked is all i am saying.

**ozchips** · 17-03-12, 09:09 AM

thanks for the good post, I have had a number of skin cancers cut out over the years with a couple being malignant. I am currently using a cream called efudex for sun damage on myh arms which could easily turn nasty.
Skin cancer is something that needs to be taken much more seriously by both the Australian government and people.

**mandc** · 17-03-12, 09:09 AM

Thanks for the heads-up diavalo13666...I was not aware of this type of melanoma...sounds like a right bastard to diagnose.
All the best mate.

**diavalo13666** · 17-03-12, 09:14 AM

Yep my wife has also been using that same cream OZCHIPS , and yes mandc it is a bitch to diagnose because it is actually PINK in colour and commonly over looked because it is very rare to find on a person who is Caucasian.

it is normally found on Asian and people of African decent ( dark colour skin ) and even then rare aswell.

as i have pointed out i am only posting in the hope that people will take notice and get them selves checked out.It costs nothing but a few hours of your time to do so and in the end could save your life.

**porkop** · 17-03-12, 09:34 AM

I had a Type 2 melinoma the size of a 50c peice cut out of my stomach six years ago. Luckily, apart for a 100mm scar, I have had no further complications for that one and count my lucky stars that my GP was viligant.

This melinoma had always "just" been there. It wasnt till one day that I said to my wife, "does that look like its getting bigger" then the GP nearly shat himself and I was in surgery in 2 days.

This forced my daughters to take action on their various spots and marks and now, like me, they get regular skin checks and anything suspisious gets cut out.

diavalo13666 all the best to your wife and yourself.

**admin** · 17-03-12, 09:52 AM

I am seeing a specialist in 2 weeks in regards to a few suspicious ones I have with a view to removing them.I would also recommend to anyone if they have any concerns to see a specialist. GP's are fine, but you need someone that really knows their stuff. Ask your GP for a referall. And if you arent happy, seek a second opinion. Do as much online research as you can so that you have some understanding about what the specialists diagnosis means.

While we are at it, if you have any concerns about anything, see a doctor. Dont ignore problems, they wont go away. I have to see a specialist this week to have a biopsy in regards to a lump in my chest. It has grown to about 4 times its original size in 4 weeks and is painfull.
Fortunately I have private health insurance and will have it dealt with promptly no matter what it is diagnosed as. I feel sorry for people that have to wait in these circumstances.

**xnavyman** · 17-03-12, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by ozchips

thanks for the good post, I have had a number of skin cancers cut out over the years with a couple being malignant. I am currently using a cream called efudex for sun damage on myh arms which could easily turn nasty.
Skin cancer is something that needs to be taken much more seriously by both the Australian government and people.

I also use efudex and for the more stubborn bastards I use Aldara cream.

I also have had a lot cut off my legs and back because of spending a long time in the tropics without a shirt and only wearing shorts.

The Navy nowadays are all covered up, no exposed skin. Too late for most of us old salts.

I advocate getting checks on any sores, moles etc that change colour, itch or become irritating. The sooner the better.

Great post diavalo, very imformative and gives everyone a heads up on these insiuous buggers. Good luck to you and your wife.

**marty 17** · 17-03-12, 10:08 AM

+ 1 for Sanity's suggestion of a specialist to see regarding skin cancers etc as a Dermatologist is trained in this field whereas most of the Skincancer clinics you see around the place are just GP's trying to get an earn as they make more money cutting out a few skincancers than general GP practice.

Like a bounty every one they cut out is more money for them.

**diavalo13666** · 17-03-12, 10:22 AM

Yes as sanity mentioned get a referal for a specialist

BUT

for tanya it was one that went miss diagnosed by her GP and also the last skin specialist she saw.
this time it was a new specialist and he asked us what we wanted done because in his opinion it was
not a melanoma , we said look just cut it out its been there near on 3 yrs .

Well looks like he misdiagnosed it aswell because it was cut out on Wednesday and then Thursday
we got a call at 8pm to be at his office first thing Friday.

Now we are booked into see the No1 in the field in Australia next Friday to see where we go

So when seeing the specialist and he say hmm that one should be ok , if you are a little each way about ot just say look id feel comfortable with it cut out and you will have peace of mind and a small scare

**mango** · 17-03-12, 10:58 AM

this is the reason we dont want daylight saving in QLD.

**xnavyman** · 17-03-12, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by mango

this is the reason we dont want daylight saving in QLD.

I knew there was a reason for me wanting to get rid of daylight saving here in Tassie.

**iwacelect** · 17-03-12, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by mango

this is the reason we dont want daylight saving in QLD.

IMHO the scary thing is, he's serious!!!!

That sort of thinking is common up north

**toyboy11** · 17-03-12, 05:30 PM

Iv'e had a Melanoma cut out, fortunately for me it wasn't 1mm deep. Apart from that Iv'e had about 12 mm cut out of the top of my ear, noticeable to me but not so much to others.

Basil cell, keratoses and squarmious cancers one on the eyelid one on the nose and so on, i'm going to see my dematologist in 2 week for my 6 monthly checkup.

**vnboost** · 17-03-12, 06:29 PM

My 26yo brother inlaw passed away in dec 2011 from subungual melanoma under the thumbnail, looked like when you hit your finger with a hammer, very sad.

**Fernbay** · 17-03-12, 08:16 PM

I'm constantly astounded by the number of roofers, builders, renderers I see on job sites with no hat or shirt on

I hope it all gets sorted OK for your missus diavalo13666.

**Godzilla** · 17-03-12, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by vnboost

My 26yo brother inlaw passed away in dec 2011 from subungual melanoma under the thumbnail, looked like when you hit your finger with a hammer, very sad.

Geez under a thumb nail and so young? Very unfair....

I had a growth on my right temple that i had checked out 8 years ago and was told to keep an eye on in case it changed and start to grow.

Well it did, about 3 months ago i had it removed and found out it was not cancerous.

Total relief knowing it was nothing but i do remember my younger years driving with the window down in summer with my arm hanging out and having the sun burning on my temple.

Any cancer is not a good cancer, i really hope your wife gets through this OK Diavalo.

I just found out a week ago my sister has cancer, she just gave birth to her second child a few months ago......

**xnavyman** · 17-03-12, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Godzilla

Geez under a thumb nail and so young? Very unfair....

I had a growth on my right temple that i had checked out 8 years ago and was told to keep an eye on in case it changed and start to grow.

Well it did, about 3 months ago i had it removed and found out it was not cancerous.

Total relief knowing it was nothing but i do remember my younger years driving with the window down in summer with my arm hanging out and having the sun burning on my temple.

Any cancer is not a good cancer, i really hope your wife gets through this OK Diavalo.

I just found out a week ago my sister has cancer, she just gave birth to her second child a few months ago......

Sorry to hear about your sister GZ, I lost my sister last 18 months ago to the insiduous pancreatic cancer that had got to her liver She was only 60.

I found out from the surgeon that she probably had the cancer for up to 10 years. It isn't until the pain strikes that you know about it and by then it is too late.

As has been said GET IT CHECKED!!!