Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect

Hi! I was looking for a place that specializes in Melanoma and Mayo came up . Has anyone had multiple melanomas? My first one in 2022 was staged pt2a. The other 3 melanomas were the last 2 months but they are in Situ. I get more off suspicious spots biopsied tomorrow. My dermatologist has never seen this before. I also had 3 severely dysplastic moles so far, 2 BCC's. I just feel like more is going on. The last Melanoma WLE was last Thursday the path report says changes in lesion after biopsy and it abuts the lateral margin. They will probably need to redo the wle. Anyone experience this? Do you think I need a second opinion why this is happening? I don't think the place I current go specializes in Melanoma. Maybe I need genetic testing or a scan? Maybe I am just paranoid.

@jc76: Thank you for being so proactive in inquiring about and then sharing this information with us! I'll also inquire about here in Phoenix when I have my appointment next month. Maybe they'll have a better idea as to timeframe by then. Thanks again!

I could not find the message from mentor about what if I could post what I found from going on Mayo Jacksonville portal so put this in new discussion even though it is a past one on the new 3-D scanner.

Posted below is the information I got back from Mayo Dermatology Jacksonville. I did get additional information on this stating Rochester was only Mayo that had it now.
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Thank you for reaching out with your questions. Currently, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville does not have the 3-D scanner, but plans are in place for its future acquisition. We do not have a specific time frame for when it will be available. Once the scanner is operational, the protocol for its use will be established, and patients will be informed on how to request this service.

jc76: you're quite welcome! I see you've been a tremendous health care advocate for yourself and others, and I gather you've been quite pleased with the care you've received from multiple specialties at Mayo Jacksonville over the years. You're going on 20 years there!

I may have gotten my clinics mixed up with the 3D scanner in dermatology: in going through some past correspondence, it appears it's Rochester that already has it, with Jacksonville due to get one next (if it hasn't already) and Phoenix also in line. I have my initial consult in dermatology coming up myself next month in Phoenix where I'm treating in oncology so will be finding out more first hand to pass along at the end of next month -- unless you learn more about it first, then by all means please do bring me up to date!

@grammato3
Does that help? Drastically! I really appreciate you passing it along.

Since I am a patient at Mayo Jacksonville since 2006 and been seeing a dermatologist there for decades now this is really good information.

I have the ability like all Mayo patients to contact their medical providers and asked questions, etc. I am going to asked my dermatologist about this and hopefully I too can be added to the list.

I want to thank you again for the excellent information and explanation.

@jc76: I'll step in here for a moment with this document that explains the overall technology of 3D imaging: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/radiology/sections/overview/ovc-20469630#:~:text=Patient%20consultations%20are%20an%20important,to%2Ddiagnose%20and%20complex%20conditions.

3D scanning is a relatively new advancement for use specifically in dermatology. The benefit of this type of imaging is it basically "maps" an individual's moles, spots, and any type of skin lesions to allow for earlier detection of skin cancer. The aim and results to date has been the reduction in unnecessary biopsies and improved identification of melanoma.

I believe Mayo Jacksonville has the 3D scanner in their dermatology unit, with Rochester and Phoenix approved for obtaining one by end of this year but I will need to verify on the dates.

Does that help?

@chanda79
I am at Mayo Jacksonville since 2006.
I have had so many BCC removed by MOHS can't remember them all. I had one SCC but no melanoma. I was seeing dermatologist every 6 months but had a change of dermatologist and said new protocol if you have not had melanoma your schedule is once a year.

The caveat to that is call for appointment anytime for a suspicious area.

I see you mentioned 3D scanner. I am not familiar with that. Can you add some information on that and what it is?

@tangledpuppet: I'm glad you're persevering; that is NOT the type of experience we like to hear about at Mayo and very out of the norm. There is definitely some helpful information on the site https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-melanoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20372371 with which you'd already appeared familiar and I do see a link there for appointments, my error for not realizing or inquiring if you were in proximity to one of the Mayo locations. If there a weakness in any of the links in any capacity such as you encountered, truly, we do need to hear about it in addition to you continuing to be a strong advocate for your daughter's care.

You'll note in the link provided above, there is also an a Melanoma Support Group that meets monthly online via Zoom calls held the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 central time. Led by a wonderful LCSW who is on staff at Mayo Rochester and Jacksonville, it is open to patients and their families - even those not actively treating at Mayo. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/melanoma-support-group-meeting-2-39ee06fe/

Absolutely, there is a lot of connection amongst those of us treating for melanoma as I'm finding out through my involvement in various groups. We're here to help one another through this challenge. Let me know when Leah been able to help you.

I have a lot to learn. I don’t know about 3D scans. I hope that provides helpful information for you. Jax = Jacksonville?

Thank you, if really was a bad experience. I did it through the “start a new appointment request “ that appears on this page (through Mayo) and requested Rochester,MN where she’s been à patient before. I should have taken a different route for a referral. The person handling those callbacks for opthamology was ignorant and just mean. She gave me another reason to cry. I appreciate your kindness so much.
Apparently there’s a person named Leah in charge of handling care coordinator for chorodial melanoma and our person at university of Iowa hospital will reach out. With rare disease I guess it’s a small world