Red scabby bump on inner thigh

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

Hello all,

Last year, shortly after giving birth to my son, I noticed a small red bump on my inner thigh. Over the course of one year it has grown in size, shape, and colour. It NEVER even occured to me that it might be skin cancer. At first I thought it was a wart, but warts don't last over a year.
It is a raised reddish hard slightly scabby bump.

My risk factors include:

Memberships to tanning salons starting at age 17. I burned many, many times all over my body because I tanned naked. I went on and off for about 3 years. Stupid I know, but I was young and didn't know better. It was 14 years ago.

I've had many sunburns from natural sunlight.

I love long distance jogging. I would jog one hour a day. I never wore sunscreen or a hat because I never thought cancer would happen to me.

I have way more than 50 moles on my entire body.

I have melasma on my forhead. (Not sure if that's a risk factor or a sign)

My question is: Does it matter if the mole is not the size of a pencil eraser? It's about half the size of one, but it started out smaller than that.

I'm seeing my doctor on Saturday.

Thanks for reading!

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

I want to add that I'm 31 Y/0. Smile

HaoleBoy · Senior User Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 108

Tina, you're doing the right thing in going to the Doctor..... to answer your specific question about the size of the mole -- yes, melanoma can be smaller than the size of a pencil eraser (mine was)....

But before I terrify you, which is hardly my intent, take some heart in the fact that melanoma is rare compared to all of the other possible skin issues which could explain this lesion....but while it is rare, its incidence is increasing significantly in the U.S. (I believe it is the most proliferating malignancy in America right now)...

Some things about the ABCD criteria which derms preach,.... mine didn't fit the criteria.... mine looked like a wart (primary was on the bottom of my left foot's 2nd toe -- which was subsequently amputated), it was mostly skin color, but had some very faint tan color in it early on -- like alot of normal skin, it was symmetrical and the borders were not jagged on irregular, and its diameter was smaller than a pencil eraser....

The Melanoma International Foundation doesn't advocate the use of the ABCDs, they advocate seeing a derm if there is "change" in a mole -- ANY CHANGE.... and my "wart" was definitely "change"... it wasn't there before and I don't have very many moles on my body (hardly any)....If I knew then what I know now, the appearance of a "wart" would have led me to see a derm pronto and to [u]demand[/u] a biopsy of the lesion.... But then, a year ago, I had never heard of anyone getting melanoma on a toe before or on the bottom of one's foot.....

[b]Your lesion qualifies as "change"[/b].... so you're doing the right thing.... One more thing, [b]insist that your derm (or if it is your Primary Doc, insist that he refer you to a derm) do at least a punch biopsy of it ....[/b]....With your history, it is far better to be safe than sorry and melanoma is nothing to mess around with....

[u]Do not let anyone do a shave biopsy of the lesion [/u](if they biopsy it, ask if they intend to perform a shave, an excisional, or a punch).... If it is in fact melanoma -- a BIG IF at this juncture -- then a shave biopsy can compromise determining the lesion's all important depth/thickness; a vital element of information for determing stage of disease, treatment protocols, and elgibility for trials....So a punch biopsy or an excisional is the best biopsy procedure....

BTW, my "wart" was missed by one podiatrist and a dermatologist, and wasn't picked up until I went in to see a 2nd podiatrist about 7.5 months after I first noticed its existence....The lesion didn't exist (or at least not visibly so), one year before my melanoma wide local excision (WLE), and yet 2 different docs missed it after I had pointed it out to them ... Both of them said it was a wart; one refused to do anything about it and the other didn't want to go the expense of biopsying it.... So the moral to this story is that the only SURE WAY to determine if it is melanoma or not is to biopsy the rascal.....Better to error on the side of safety than to end up Stage IIA like me (30 % chance of this "wart" killing me within 10 years).... or worse....

Tina, wishing you the best and hopefully we won't be seeing or hearing anything from you in the future on this Melanoma Cancer Forum -- meaning you're totally healthy, mel is not part of your story and you're living and enjoying life as a young 31 year old should....

Best of luck tomorrow....

Haole Boy aka Hawaii Bob
Stage IIA
WLE + SNB (negative) 21 August 2008
No Evidence of Disease (NED) 10 months +

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

HaoleBoy,

Thanks for your reply! It means a lot to me. It was the first thing I checked this morning.

I'm really sorry about your battle with cancer. You are seriously brave!! You all are! Dealing with this is true strength. My God mother and grandfather whom I've never met died from cancer a few years ago. I was in my early 20s at the time, and practically ignored her because I didn't know how to act around her. It was very selfish of me, but I was always worried I'd say the wrong things to her, and at the time I was dealing with manic depression . I felt horrible after she passed away. I should have spent more time with her. She came to me in a dream to tell me she was fine. She looked so beautiful. Her skin was perfect and her was done up in a behive like they did in the 60's.

Anyway, I appreciate the advice. I wouldn't have known to ask for a puch biposy. That was actually something that was keeping me up last night. I couldnt figure out how they would determine the depth of the 'thing' if they just took out a small piece. I was worried that they'd have to cut out a large piece of my leg to find out that information.That clears things up big time. Thank you.

In the meantime, I'll continue educating myself about cancer. My ignorance made me wait this long. I may be able to help others take it (possibilty of cancer) more seriously by sharing my 'scare' story.

Tina

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

I saw my familty doctor yesterday, and without even taking a close look at the "mole", he dismissed it as being a result of pregnancy. I had a baby one year ago today. The "mole" shouldn't still be there. Anyway, I asked for an appointment with a demitologist and I'm waiting for the referal. I'll except nothing less than a puch biposy. I could have walked out of there believing everything was fine, and left it at that if it were not for the information I've been reading on this forum.

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

I recieved my referal today in the mail..I'm so relieved that it's schedualed for July 28th and no later!

HaoleBoy · Senior User Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 108

[quote="TinaF"]I recieved my referal today in the mail..I'm so relieved that it's schedualed for July 28th and no later![/quote]

Tina, I'm glad you got the referral....I had my derm visit today (regular protocol for me at my stage is once every 3 months)...all clear..... I hope you get the closure you want .... A short word of advice, don't be hesitant to communicate what you want looked at ( I like my derm but I had to tell him to palpate my groin lymph nodes and I also told him I wanted him to check out my WLE scar -- mel likes to come back on the scar line it seems)

.... I also recommend that you look this Derm up in the yellow pages and see how much prominence his ad gives to cosmetic dermatology vice medical dermatology.... Also, I wouldn't say anything about giving birth to a child a year ago.... I don't think it is relevant; make sure he is thorough -- head to toe, palms, soles of the feet, and then convey your concerns about that one specific lesion .... If he balks for any reason on a biopsy (no shaves, be prepared for an excisional if the lesion is too big for a punch), then ask him if he can guarantee you that it isn't melanoma .... Most of them have heard about how sneaky mel can be at times if they haven't experienced it firsthand.... Also ask the nurse or check out his diplomas to see if he is board certified as a dermatologist..... Some derms can be self declared and not necessarily have taken any speciality training or residency in dermatology

If he doesn't check out your head through the hairline, and look at your palms and soles, then that will give you an idea how thorough or not he is .....

Good luck and God Bless

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

Thank you very much for the advice HaoleBoy.

I was looking through photos of nodular melanoma and I found a picture that resembles my "mole". (I'm not sure if it's a mole because there wasn't anything there before it appeared.) to a T!.

Now a waiting period of 5 weeks isn't feeling like such a short wait afterall.
I want to see a derm asap!

Is there someone on this forum who will take a look at the picture (my mole, not the internet one) for me? I'm not asking for a diagnosis, I just want other people to tell me what they think based on their knowledge and experience.

I'm pretty sure it is what I think it is, I just need to hear it from someone else.

PS..other risk factors include I live within walking distance to a Nuclear power plant and have been for 17 years. Also, my grandfather died from cancer, I think it was prostate cancer.

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

Saw a derm yesterday his exact words "I can tell you right now that's not cancer" He's going to do a punch biopsy anyway. I hope he's right 100% of the time.

HaoleBoy · Senior User Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 108

Tina, glad you're getting this thing addressed. BTW, I just had my 2nd punch biopsy in the last 10 months for a "thing" on my left calf (same side and leg as my primary tumor) and it came out benign.... Had the stitiches removed (3 stitches) a week and half ago; no big deal, one of those larger band-aides more than sufficient to protect the punch biopsy site.

.. So no recurrence !-- Thank God, since a recurrence would mean that melanoma was in fact in my lymphatic system (but hadn't reached the regional lymph nodes in my groin yet) and would've upstaged me to Stage III ...so holding steady at IIA....

Best wishes for a negative biopsy Tina !

Haole Boy (Bob)

brainman

Tina, this is great news! ***Happy Dance***
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Twitter: @JimHawkins54

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

Hi guys..thanks so much for caring, I wish I had more of that in real life lol.

My results came back negative. Even though I'm one of the "lucky ones", I don't feel that I'm off the hook. This experience has taught me to respect my body more, and by that I mean no more suntanning and using sunblock all the time. I think I'll consider my experience a blessing, or a warning.

Thanks for being here for me Smile

hennifersb · New User Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 3

Haoleboy..wish I would have been as smart as you and got mine checked earlier. Mine looked nothing like the melanoma i had been taught. Was on teh top of my left foot in between two toes. Actually thought it was a blister at first, then thought it was a wart (actually bought wart remover etc) finally went to the doctor said not a wart but not skin cancer..REFUSED to refer me to a derm..i hate HMO's . Podiatrist told me it was nothing to worry about..turned out to be melanoma and two doctors told me it was nothing..wish i would have acted more on my instinct..could have been stage 2..just found out lasat week i have stage 3a and not stage 2 Sad

TinaF · Regular Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 15

[quote="hennifersb"]Haoleboy..wish I would have been as smart as you and got mine checked earlier. Mine looked nothing like the melanoma i had been taught. Was on teh top of my left foot in between two toes. Actually thought it was a blister at first, then thought it was a wart (actually bought wart remover etc) finally went to the doctor said not a wart but not skin cancer..REFUSED to refer me to a derm..i hate HMO's . Podiatrist told me it was nothing to worry about..turned out to be melanoma and two doctors told me it was nothing..wish i would have acted more on my instinct..could have been stage 2..just found out lasat week i have stage 3a and not stage 2 Sad

[/quote]

Doctors like that need to be held accountable for their ignorance. They are dealing with human lives for God's sake. I bet they would have been more cautious if it were a family member they were dealing with. I'm frusterated and angered by your experience. How could he refuse to refer you to a dermatologist! A doctor who doesn't doubt himself is dangerous. Some of them are so full of themselves that they act like their diagnosis can never be flawed, in any way. It's Narcassistic thinking in away;God doesn't make mistakes, neither does he. I'm really sorry you didn't recieve proper treatment. I think doctors should take courses to keep up to date with current medical information. I've encounterd doctors who don't beleive that anti depressants such as Paxil can cause withdrawal symptoms. :-/

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