Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect

@jc76 my dermatologist said skin mapping is making a map of where they all are to track them better. Location and diameter and depth. Size progression and where spreading speed etc.

@blc1951
Looks like you are getting good medical care. Did you have a past history of skin burns and excessive sun exposure?

I agree with being stressful. Hard not worry about. It seems like my skin cancer are really getting worse (more of them) and can't figure out why the changed from BCCs to SCCs.

I just learned what the in situ meant as I researched my last SCC surgery. If going to have SCC you want it to be in situ. I just had two surgeries for SCC. One was done via MOHS and the other cut and cauterized. Seems one was in situ and the other deep growing.

If you don't mind answering, what is skin mapping?

I am 74 years old and female. I have had a few SCCs and five melanomas, all in situ, until last week. My sixth melanoma is a recurrence from the first one in 2018. It is invasive and I am awaiting instructions from my melanoma doctor. Since this is the holiday week, he is out, but last Friday he ordered the slides so he could make a plan. I see a local dermatologist at least twice a year, and the director of the melanoma institute at Northwestern Medical in Chicago twice a year, thus my skin checks are every 3 months, plus I have skin mapping every year at Northwestern. I expect to hear something at the first of the week, hopefully Monday, but as you can imagine it. has been a very stressful holiday. Praying and keeping my fingers crossed.

@blc1951
Tell us what you would like us to know and how we can help. We all have different experiences with skin cancer, diagnoses, types, treatments, success.

I am 78 and grew up in the sun. Now paying for it 40 years later. I am still having to deal with skin cancer coming back and back. Seems now my skin cancers are SCC not BCC like in past. Have had a lot of MOHS surgery but my last one on my hand was first one I had stitches done. And wow had no idea what others experiences when MOHS surgery requires stitches.

Now just had another biopsy on same hand, same area that biopsy showed SCC. So now another MOHS surgery on January 7th. Poor hand has not healed from first MOHS but can't let the new one go and get bigger and deeper.

Before I forget go on the abbreviations post so you can review all the abbreviations used as it can be overwhelming to understand what is being said sometimes.

@blc1951 May I offer my welcome. I am a mentor here, and have been a patient myself at Mayo for slightly over a year now due to metastatic melanoma that was diagnosed in November of 2024 when I had been started on immunotherapy.

There are folks on here who have treated for various types of melanoma, from stage 1 (in situ where it's more superficial involving the outer surface of the skin) to stage 4 like mine where it has affected more distant organs, such as the lung in my case. In addition, there may be people who have just undergone biopsies and awaiting results and those who are supporting loved ones undergoing such care.

Can you tell me a bit more about your background with melanoma?

How do I introduce myself on this group?

@wrightvillebeach Hello and good day to you. I have a similar situation. I am 7yr Ovarian and Uterine cancer survivor, both early stage 1. Cat scan for hernia found the hernia and a 21x15x7 cyst. Have been doing well till early July a growth on my left shoulder was confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma. That was removed early, but found another on my right shoulder confirmed as melanoma. That was removed and my dermatologist used “women’s purse stitches “. It did heal well. But recently had 2 more SCC removed on my arms. My Dermatologist requested I see my Gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy and a deep eye exam. I had 3 retina surgeries so did that right away and passed their test too, Now it is every 3 months visiting with my Dermatologist. I am very grateful I met her! I wish all of you safe travels on this crazy trip. I have learned a lot. PS. I am 78 years old

@wrightvillebeach, how did surgery go? How is recovery?

I have not gotten the written path report. It is my understanding she will cut to get a clear margin under lidocaine numbing with stitches involved. I will update after Tuesday.

@wrightvillebeach I had also been told by a dermatology PA that a rapidly growing reddened area on my cheek was essentially "nothing to worry about" but she biopsied it "just to be sure" and it did come back positive for a more aggressive type of melanoma so that goes to show one cannot always say for certainty merely by looking at a skin lesion what the pathology may be. I'm glad you sought the advice of a new dermatologist and will be having treatment this week. May I ask what the treatment will be - is it a Mohs procedure?

Also, I'm a bit confused by the results of the biopsy: "stage 1 superficial.3." Perhaps the 3 was added unintentionally? Stage 1 superficial is generally regarded as highly curable with low risk for metastasis or recurrence. That said, now that you have been diagnosed with a form of skin cancer, it's important to be mindful of check for changes in moles or new growths, and follow the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving changes in size, shape, or symptoms like itching. Other signs include firm red bumps, scaly patches, or shiny, pearly bumps

This guide is also helpful: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20377605

Can you let me know after your procedure on the 25th how you're doing?