- They look different to other melanomas. Their appearances are not well known in the community or EVEN among health care providers
- They grow more quickly. Nodular melanomas comprise only 10 to 15% of all melanomas but account for 60 to 70% of deep melanomas
- Nodular melanomas grow more quickly in depth than other types of melanoma. From the outset nodular melanomas are developing increasing life-threatening potential.
- It is likely that they vary in rate of growth but that some may take only 6 to 8 weeks! to develop significant life threatening potential
- The ABCD’s are of no help for Nodular Melanoma. Nodular melanomas have no appreciable flat phase.
- In contrast to the ABCD features, nodular melanomas are symmetrical, have a regular border, are generally one colour and should be detected when they are only a few millimeters in diameter. These features are not well known.
- Any lump on the skin that is still growing after a month should be assessed medically.
- One in five cases of nodular melanoma is ultimately fatal.
"Do the ABCDs, but also trust yourself, because in my experience patients are the first ones to notice something is wrong," Leffell said. "If patients are worried about a spot and the doctor doesn't want to biopsy it, find another doctor to biopsy it. The patient is the customer." Quote from Dr. Leffel at Yale
Info from presentation by VICTORIAN MELANOMA SERVICE and article from My Health News
All of these were fatal
 Courtesy of Melanoma Education Foundation, all rights reserved |
| Picture from skincheck.org Please see their site for more info on nodular melanoma! |
Hi Pam,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad a friend lifted this up. I have a blog post dedicated to melanoma bloggers and have added yours (I'm stage 3b, blog, and also admin Melanoma Prayer Center on Facebook). Prayers on your journey. http://letsgivethanks.blogspot.com/2012/01/they-dare-to-care.html
I have just last week been diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma (nodular) and sceduled for surgery in 2 weeks. I am concerned about t the delay since mine started growing right after Christmas. I initially thought it was a skin tag but then thought it was a wart. I am thinking of getting a second opinion or fiinding someone who can do the surgery sooner. ??????
ReplyDeleteHi Carol can you add me..I was just.diagnosed with nodular melanoma last week
ReplyDeleteHi Meghan! I am not sure who Carol is but if you want to keep up with my posts you can put in your email address in the box half way down the page and on the right, where it says: "Follow by Email". If you are on facebook, you can also like my page for the most up to date info. It is at www.facebook.com/MissionMelanoma or you can follow the link closer to the bottom of my blog on the right.
DeleteWe are in the process of waiting for results for my 4 year old granddaughter. She had a small mole show up in Dec and we were referred to a derm and finally got in Feb. The doctor said to wait that it looked normal and come back in Sept near her bday. The mole has grown and we changed doctors and last week, the immediately did a punch biopsy and now we wait. I am praying it is benign as she is so young and now we wish we made the doctor in feb remove it. Is there a way I can send you pictures of her mole from Dec, Feb and now Sept. The waiting is the hardest and lot's of prayers. Lisa Praying for you and your recovery.
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