8 Months pregnant...probable melanoma...scared

Beckaree · New User Joined: 07 Jan 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Australia

I am almost 34 weeks pregnant.
I have just been to the skin cancer clinic and had a suspicious mole checked. The doctor agreed it looks very suspicious and has ordered a biopsy.
I cant get in until Wednesday for the biopsy and even then the results my take a while. I am very nervous and worried about what could happen to my baby. I am on bare minimum health coverage and so I can't call my ob-gyn to ask about it as a lot of people would.
The spot is just below my panty line, right where my baby's head is.
I had a miscarriage in March of last year and have safely made it this far in my pregnancy, I could not bare to lose her now.
Is there anyone who knows anything about these situations?
I know there is not much that I can do but it would help if I had an idea of what may lie ahead should the results be positive.
Thanks a lot.
Laughing

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Sorry to hear about this. It is very good that you are in the final stages of pregnancy. If indeed this is a skin cancer and you need treatment for it, there is a chance that the doctors may consider delivering the baby sooner than usual. At this stage in the pregnancy your baby is already very well developed and should not have any problems.

But that is a lot of "ifs", so please try to remain calm and be reassured that your baby will almost certainly be well.

best regards,
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

hhmv73a · Experienced user Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 95

if the lesion is melanoma, the location of it is not that important for the safty of your baby. melanoma is usually treated by surgery followed by adjuvant treatment. physicians may try to find a sentinel node using radioactive material and that may affect the baby. the surgery itself (usually a local excision) is not too dangerous to the fetus.
if radiation is indicated (usually not), then you should wait until the baby is delivered.
what matters is the depth of invasion.
discuss with your physician about the diagnosis first, and must inform him/her about the pregnancy.
good luck,

Jay

J. Jay Lu, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncoogy)

cfknc · New User Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 4

Try not to worry yet since you don't have the results. I was pregnant when I had a biopsy done and the lab result came back "severe" precancerous. So it wasn't a melanoma yet. I did have to go back and have more of the tissue removed. But my pregnancy was fine. Unfortunately for me the scar was on my growing belly and now without the belly my scar is horrible! But it's okay. You'll be okay. Stay positive.

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