Possible melanoma and something else

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MelodyGG
MelodyGG Member Posts: 3
edited January 2021 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi all

I'm so glad this group exists since I don't want to be in groups where people already have their diagnosis and upset them.

I've been concerned about a spot on my nipple for a couple of years and recently it has grown and gotten darker and sore. I saw the skin dr today and he thinks it may be melanoma and I need a biopsy to confirm.

I also had an ultrasound today for a small lump my dr and I felt in the same breast.

The tech said the tissue looks normal but then took some images that were behind my nipple and compared that to some behind my other nipple. The comparison pic has me worried because my normal looking breast looks clear and no colour in the Doppler, but the other one has some areas of darker shades and lots of colour came up in the Doppler.

I get my results back tomorrow if I go see the dr. But I'm sure I won't sleep tonight.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2021

    Hi MelodyGG, and sorry you find yourself here.

    Has your biopsy been scheduled for the possible melanoma yet?

    Try not to get ahead of yourself on the ultrasound. If the radiographer said it looked normal there would be no reason to tell you that if it wasn’t true. Don’t get hung up on trying to do your own comparison read between your breasts - as far as the distribution of tissue and fat in our breasts, we don’t have matching sets, plus, it takes radiologists years to learn how to read and interpret what they see on imaging.

    Which doctor do you go see today? Let us know what you find out.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited January 2021

    Hi Melody! Glad you found us and this forum! Just want to send support. Best with the appointment today! Please let us know how it goes....

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  • MelodyGG
    MelodyGG Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2021

    Hi and thanks for your replies.

    I had my biopsy on Monday and the melanoma dr said it doesn't look like something terrible but it's definitely good to check it.

    The ultrasound came back just saying I have dense breasts. No lumps were identified even though the dr and I could feel one but I know ultrasound isn't 100%

    Since the sat before this the skin on the same breast has been changing. I don't know if it's hormones or something but it's worrying. It's also gone pinkish. I've got shooting and burning pains in it too.

    I saw the dr for it but he brushed it off. :/

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2021

    You're saying a "melanoma dr" - does that mean a dermatologist? So he saw the 'changes' your talking about? What did he recommend doing in the meantime?

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited January 2021

    So you're waiting on biopsy results from Monday and the ultrasound came back with no concerns though you're still noticing changes occurring in the skin of your breast? As MinusTwo mentioned I too am assuming a dermatologist did the biopsy? And then assuming you had a radiologist (breast radiologist vs. general hopefully) reading the ultrasound... At this point you're waiting on biopsy results... if that shows something that may be your answer. If it doesn't then I'm hoping your doc is willing to pursue another evaluation method since the two of you can feel the lump and see changes... Please let us know when you get results and any next steps....

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2021

    I read that the possible melanoma and biopsy by dermatologist is a completely separate issue (and treater) from the ultrasound and palpable lum

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  • MelodyGG
    MelodyGG Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2021

    hi

    The dr who took the biopsy was a dermatologist at the cancer clinic.

    The radiologist was a general radiologist and I haven't been referred to a breast specialist. The dr seems to think I'm too young? I'm 38 but I know other in family who have had various cancers throughout their lives.

    And my GP didn't really give me anything to do about the skin changes in the mean time. It didn't sound like he wanted to pursue it.

    I think I'll wait for the biopsy results and then see another dr if it doesn't have answers.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2021

    I'm going to assume (dangerous to do I know) for now that you have a skin condition - possibly cancer. I understand it's unlikely that any GP would be out of his depth, but I'm surprised that the dermatologist didn't prescribe a cream or etc. But Melissa is right - melanoma is a skin cancer and NOT related to breast cancer. Although both can spread, the percentage of having both at the same time likely isn't very high.

    There are some VERY good treatments for melanoma now. Think Jimmy Carter. And lots of us have had squamous or basal cell skin cancers successfully excised with MOHS surgery.

    Please do let us know when you get your biopsy results.

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