Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect

Ginger, I've also had several basal and squamous cell CAs but it took a diligent plastic surgeon to point out the pinkish lesion I thought he could laser had suspicious irregular borders and suggested I see my dermatologist. The PA there didn't share those concerns but agreed to do a biospy; thank goodness as it was melanoma. I also wound up having a WLE with adjacent tissue rearrangement on my face, and now subsequent metastatic melanoma. Agree: Can't underscore the importance of sun screen enough!

Hi. My name is Amy. I have had a few scares with moles. I have had 2 severely atypical nevus, 1 in situ and one melanoma. This was very scary. It was located behind my ear. I would have never seen it. Thank goodness I go in for my every 6 month rechecks or I think that it would have been a bad outcome. Luckily the margins were clear with no residual melanoma identified. Do you know that if you have Parkinson’s that you have an increased risk of melanoma? I have PD.

Yes, research has shown that people with Parkinson's disease (PD) have a higher risk of developing melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Studies suggest that individuals with PD are approximately 2 to 4 times more likely to develop melanoma compared to the general population. The exact reasons for this connection are not fully understood, but several theories exist:
Shared Biological Pathways: Both Parkinson's disease and melanoma may involve abnormalities in certain cellular processes, such as melanin production (related to skin pigmentation) and dopamine metabolism (linked to PD). For instance, the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in melanin synthesis, might play a role in both conditions.
Genetic Factors: Some genetic mutations or variations, such as those in the LRRK2 gene, have been associated with both PD and an increased risk of melanoma, suggesting a possible genetic link.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain environmental factors, like pesticides, has been implicated in both PD and melanoma, though this connection is less clear.
Medication Effects: Levodopa, a common treatment for Parkinson's, has been investigated as a potential contributor to melanoma risk due to its role in dopamine synthesis, which is chemically related to melanin. However, evidence linking levodopa directly to melanoma is inconclusive, and the increased risk appears to predate medication use in many cases.
Interestingly, the relationship may be bidirectional—people with melanoma also appear to have a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life. This suggests a complex interplay rather than a simple cause-and-effect relationship.
That said, while the association is well-documented, melanoma remains relatively rare even among those with PD.

Interesting that you think melanoma is relatively rare. My dad is one of 15 children that all got some form of cancer. Now the children and grand children have skin cancer including melanoma. I have had 3 cases of it plus many other forms. My brother recently died from a melanoma on his back. My son has had 4 cases of melanoma along with my nephew. It is called the curse in our family.

I am 82 years old and have multiple health problems. One that has developed over the last year is Basal Cell. They are multiplying. I have one just under my eye that needs further removal. I have to see a surgeon to get this done because my dermatologist isn’t comfortable doing it. I am worried it will be a deforming result. What would happen if i didn’t do anything further. It was cut off but dermatologist thinks it needs further removal

@delia2250yahoocom For me, I would rather have the skin cancer removed than worry about a deformity. You can ask your dermatologist what would happen if you do not have the basal cell spot addressed, as they know you and your history.

As an aside, two days ago I had biopsies taken of two suspicious spots, contained within each eyebrow. The area on my left eyebrow previously had a Mohs procedure for squamous cell. The right eyebrow has an area we have been trying to freeze off, but it will not go away. Am I concerned about losing more than half of each eyebrow? Not really. At 72, each scar, wrinkle, and gray hair has been earned!
Ginger

Thanks Ginger, at 82 years old I shouldn’t be worried about it either. I already have two scars on my face from childhood. I just don’t want my eye to be deformed. I think a plastic surgeon is going to do it so it shouldn’t be too awful.
Thanks for your advice
Delia

@delia2250yahoocom
At Mayo Clinic Jacksonville most of our dermatologists are trained as surgeons. Only a couple area trained to do MOHS surgeries.

I am going to comment on MOHS as I have had around 10 of them. MOHS requires a specially trained surgeon. The procedure happens after a biopsy reveals skin cancer. The surgeon removes the known area of cancer and then margins to make sure it gets all cancer. The removed tissues go to pathology to determine if the margins are clear of any sign of cancer.

If margins are clear surgery is over, and surgeon will come back and close area with either stitches or pressure bandages. All mine got pressure bandage. If the pathology review shows and sign of cancer is left the surgeon will return and take more tissues and the same pathology review goes on until the areas around your skin cancer are clear of any skin cancer.

If you had had this type surgery you would not be coming back for more surgery as you can see. It is why I prefer MOHS. What I see from your post is your dermatologist may not be an experienced and trained surgeon. I would seek out one that is and go over all the types of treatments that can be done for skin cancer.

If you don't do anything per your question what my dermatologist tell me that most skin cancers (not all now) are slow growing and low incidence (not all including melanoma) of metastasis. However, BCC, SCC, will continue to grow and grow and can grow into bones, muscles, etc. which requires more in depth and serious surgery.