Melanoma and Colon Cancer

[Andrea1976]

Well - 2016 is my worst or the luckiest year. Not sure yet. I go to a Cancer center in Dallas because of my malignant colon polyp. According to the guidlines my polyp was low risk and I didn't have to have any other treatment - just removal during colonoscopy.
I had done all available genetic testing for panel of cancers from colon, melanoma to breast cancer. My mom had breast cancer so the Cancer center set me up for increased monitoring with breast cancer surgeon. I will be monitored by MRIs. During 1st visit the breast cancer surgeon noticed a mole on my breast. Asked me about it and I replayed that I have been going for regular check ups to a local dermatologist. Well, the surgeon set me up with the Cancer center dermatologist. And my mole ended up being stage 0 melanoma. I had the surgery last week and will have a pretty big scar. I am shocked that my old dermatologist never pointed out my mole that I have had for more than 10 years. At this point I have transferred all my doc to the Cancer Cancer for preventive check ups. I have heard that there is a connection between colon and melanoma. But my surgical oncologist said I was tested for it and nothing came up. My mole looked nothing like a typical melanoma. It was about 4 mm, flat, round. The only thing it was very dark.

[esk2poo]

There are a couple of us two time losers on here but stage 0 is great. MOHs surgery resolved mine and now it's just 6 month check ups for that. I had my melanoma diagnosis before colon.
Good luck,
Allen

[Andrea1976]

Thanks. My understanding is that stage 0 is not invasive. It's really precancer but it could develop into Cancer. Still shocked my old dermatologist never was even concern about the mole. I am pretty sure it was precancer the whole time. Looked the same for over 10 years.

Happy to hear you are doing well.

[Utwo]

During 1st visit the breast cancer surgeon noticed a mole on my breast. Asked me about it and I replayed that I have been going for regular check ups to a local dermatologist. Well, the surgeon set me up with the Cancer center dermatologist. And my mole ended up being stage 0 melanoma. ... I am shocked that my old dermatologist never pointed out my mole that I have had for more than 10 years.

It was not too aggressive if it was stable for 10 years. It looks like your dermatologist was right. Anyway stage 0 melanoma should not be of any concern.

I had the surgery last week and will have a pretty big scar. ...
It was about 4 mm, flat, round.

Do not worry about a "big" scar. Anyway "4 mm" is not that big.
In my experience women tend to exaggerate importance of these scars.
Selection of a different swimsuit model is the most serious impact of this scar on you, unless you want to be a Playboy model, but in this case they would properly photoshop this scar out.

If you need to worry about something, you may focus on your colon cancer.
By the way, is your CC Stage 0 or Stage 1?
What is your TXNX score?
It's quite possible that you even do not need to worry about your CC.

[Andrea1976]

Thank you. Congrats on catching your CC so early! I am stage 1 in CC. It was a stressful situation since I had the Pedunculated low risk malignant polyp. Cancer on the top of the polyp but stalk 2 cm clear of Cancer and dysplacia.
NCCN and UT Southewestern Cancer center said surgery not indicated. I only post to have annual colonoscopy. But pushed for annual blood and MRI.

I kind of accepted my faith with CC but this new Melanoma scare brought new worries. My son is blond, blue eyes and we lived in Florida and California before TX. He is almost 13 and I have taken him to see pediatric dermatologist several times because of his dark moles. Now I al terrifed for him. To make the situation worse - I am taking my kids to beach for TG since I don't have any family in the US. My doc says I don't need to cancel my vacation. Just to be smart about sun block, shade etc...

[Utwo]

I had the Pedunculated low risk malignant polyp. Cancer on the top of the polyp but stalk 2 cm clear of Cancer and dysplacia.

Were you officially told that it was Stage 1?
Are you sure that this is not Stage 0?
2 cm of clear margin with pedunculated polyp seems like Stage 0 for me.

[Andrea1976]

I am not sure to be honest. I think if you look at NCCN guidlines it is under stsge 1. I think all cancers in situ / like my Melanoma are stage 0 / precancer / high grade dysplasia in colon etc.

[Andrea1976]

What type of polyp did you have?

[Utwo]

I had a sessile polyp that was removed through colonoscopy with kind of clear margines.
As a result of uncertainty about the margines, hemicolectomy was recommended for "prophylactic" purposes.

[Andrea1976]

Ok, great that all is clear!

I know I should be happy that potential bad mole was removed and that's it. Also opportunity for my children to be screened on regular basis.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm glad your melanoma was caught early!*hugs*

[Andrea1976]

Thanks!!! Congratulations on clear scans!!! You must be so happy.

Well, with my Melanoma. It seems that it's not as unusual especially with women. I was told that some Melanomas 0 progress to Cancer and some don't. Still happy that it was removed.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I am very happy that my scans were clear! I'm glad your melanoma was removed. I have lots of freckles and am very fair skinned. Also one of my blood pressure medications makes me much more sensitive to the sun so I have to slather on the sunscreen during the summer.

[Ron50]

There was an interesting story on the news in Australia today. Researchers at the Olivia Newton John cancer clinic in Melbourne have conducted successful tests to Identify and stage melanomas via a blood test. Apparently the results are available in as little as six hours and appear to be very reliable. One of the first test subjects was a young mother with a twelve month old baby. She was suspected of having a melanoma. The test confirmed it and put it at stage 4. Scans showed numerous small mets throughout her system. Because they were identified early she still has a fighting chance. The blood tests will gradually become available Australia wide as labs are set up.. PS glad you caught yours early , I have many friends in oz that have suffered from melanoma , I have even been to the Queensland institute of medical research in Brisbane and seen it growing in a petrie dish. They were doing some ground breaking research on immune therapy as a treatment. Ron.

[Andrea1976]

Thanks Ron!!!

That is very interesting. Thank you for letting me know. I have read that not all melanomas stage 0 / in situ / non invasive develop into invasive Melanomas. I read about half do. I think giving the fact my was stable was so long and still small 0.4 mm. I wonder... My dad had many similar looking moles - he had dark skin. Well, I am glad it was removed. I don't have any other moles like that but my son does. So taking him to see a specialist soon.

Great to read your story that you are doing so well!