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The type of removal procedure for a melanoma is something that needs to be done by a dermatological surgeon (a skin doc who does that kind of stuff). Yes, an internist can remove the suspicious area for biopsy BUT if it is positive for melanoma your mom will need to have further removal of surrounding tissue (it's called a MOHS procedure) to have it tested to find out what stage it is.
I've had basal cell cancers removed by 'freezing' by my family doctor in the past. But a melanoma should NOT be frozen off and any area that is suspicious for a melanoma should be surgically removed and biopsied.
It's also surprising that basal cell carcinomas that have been frozen off can lie just under the skin and still there. That's what happened to me. We found it out when I did a regimen of Carac Cream on my face. All the frozen off areas ended up coming back and were finally eradicated by the cream.View Thread

If I were you and I was worried, I would go to see the doctor if your symptoms are worrying you. From what I was told after my melanoma was removed, the spot where they removed it would not grow back because 'they got it all' BUT that once you've had one, your chances for another are much higher. I would imagine that you've probably researched this on the internet (I sure did!) and if there is something troubling that matches something you read, it wouldn't hurt to get to the doctor and find out what's what.View Thread


Never thought I'd be hoping for an autoimmune disorder diagnosis but after the melanoma diagnosis, Dupuytren's would be a welcome diagnosis. What is weird is that the lump and the developing cords are by my index and middle fingers instead of my ring finger and pinkie where Dupuytren's most often happens. Then again, the index and middle finger were most affected by the skin graft surgery. Anyway... when I find out, I'll let you know. There may be someone someday who has the same thing and would read this.View Thread

All went well. My face really was a wreck but it looks just fine now.
So I thought I was finished with this for a while. However, this evening I noticed a lump on the palm of my hand that is just opposite where the melanoma was removed on the top of my hand.
Ugh. I'm hoping it's just a ganglion or something simple. Just 'venting' here... like they say... it's always something.View Thread

I found a lotion that has both zinc and titanium in it. And it's a generic so it is reasonably priced. It is the CVS brand and it is similar to a product that Eucerin makes. I put it on under make up and it works great. It does whiten my skin a little bit because it is a block but if I rub it in well, it practically disappears. From everything I've read - and asked about earlier on this thread - this is the best kind of combo sun block. Just to be safe, I also use a moisturizer with sunscreen under the sun block if I know I am going to be out in the sun for any length of time. The CVS block is thick but manageable. I don't think I would have the patience to use it on my body at the beach because it takes time to apply it. For on the face it's really a great product.View Thread

I'm now three weeks post-treatment and things are looking very good. The Carac cream was caustic but it also uncovered areas that I had no idea were 'infested' with keratoses and basal cell. I'm very happy with the results (I considered photodynamic therapy and would have gone that route if it hadn't been out-of-pocket-after-insurance expensive). My doctor said that she would send me to the place that does the photodynamic therapy but that I should check my insurer first.
If I were to do it over again, and would have had the high copay amount, I would opt for the photodynamic therapy. But I got through the Carac cream OK. My doctor doesn't prescribe pain meds during its use because over the 21 days I would have ended up having to up the dose and risk addiction. I found that by using 75 mg of Benadryl that I could sleep like a baby at night and get some respite from the itching etc.View Thread

Best of luck to you. And remember to get your skin screening done several times a year!View Thread
But if I were you (and if I was a guy as well), to ease my mind I would make an appointment with a urologist. Urologists have 'seen it all' and probably would be able to tell you if it is anything to worry about. If you don't know of any urologists, they are the same doctors who do vasectomies and perhaps you know someone who had one and was pleased with the choice of urologist he made.
So my feedback would be to make an appt. with a urologist and get a good checkup.View Thread
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