Hey Synth, you and I are on the same wavelength. Melanomas are no joke, and now that I'm getting older, i worry about these things too. Turned 50 last year, finally got the 'ole prostate checked and a colonoscopy done (all clear!) and this is next on my 'to do' list. I have a fair number of moles, and when I was younger I was in the sun quite a bit. Aging has made me wonder if I have any damage that is dangerous, so keep us updated and maybe I'll make that move to get checked as well.
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07:59 AM
Synthesis Member
Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
The doctor called them "Skin Tags"... Even the one that gets scaly sometimes, bleeds a lot, and in general is the size of Africa in an embarrassing spot... That was the one I was most worried about, as it "grew in" in a matter of a couple of months from nothing to a mole that sticks out quite a ways.
We have a history of melanoma in the family... Letting this go for as long as I did was a major no-no... But not having the insurance or funds was the hold-up. That and a general fear of what I'd find out.
Surgery Monday to remove a handful of these things. They'll get tested and we'll see what happens from there...
Have to schedule an appointment to have my knee looked at now... If he suggests a replacement, like the last three doctors, I may just have to do it. Ugh.
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08:01 AM
TheDigitalAlchemist Member
Posts: 12767 From: Long Island, NY Registered: Jan 2012
The doctor called them "Skin Tags"... Even the one that gets scaly sometimes, bleeds a lot, and in general is the size of Africa in an embarrassing spot... That was the one I was most worried about, as it "grew in" in a matter of a couple of months from nothing to a mole that sticks out quite a ways.
We have a history of melanoma in the family... Letting this go for as long as I did was a major no-no... But not having the insurance or funds was the hold-up. That and a general fear of what I'd find out.
Surgery Monday to remove a handful of these things. They'll get tested and we'll see what happens from there...
Have to schedule an appointment to have my knee looked at now... If he suggests a replacement, like the last three doctors, I may just have to do it. Ugh.
That's a relief - skin tags are a common thing. I removed mine with nail clippers ( Video of me doin' it) as for the knee, better to do it now (you're young and will heal) then to wait and have the rest of your body get affected by the weak part... but maybe there a less intense procedure you could get which could allow you to avoid total knee replacement.
What I would do: focus on getting weight off the knee. diet or lipo. lipo would be cheaper then replacing the knee. Dropping even 20-30 lbs (either via diet or lipo) could get you less likely to having diabeties too.
lipo is 5-10 grand, but knee surgery + the months of rehab is a LOT more. Dieting is free, but slower. that "drip diet" is like 2 grand, but it's more intrusive (walking around w/ a feeding tube in yer nose for two weeks- ugh)
Just glad to hear it wasn't the big "C" or nothing...
(and from what you described (location) there is NO big "C" involved...)
MUHWAHAHAHHAAAAA (I was making fun of the size of your "member")
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09:06 AM
Jun 24th, 2012
Synthesis Member
Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
Today, my evil twin, Manifred was excised with prejudice from my posterior nether regions.... Manifred was then bottled up and shipped off for lab studies to determine exactly how evil he is... Four stitches later and MY BUTT HURTS...
A few moments after that, the doctor then removed another one, located in my FRONTAL nether regions, very close to some very special equipment. This one also resulted in several stitches, but was not submitted for testing.
Novocaine has worn off. I hurt. Certain areas that naturally chafe are chafing... And they shouldn't be because they have stitches...
I have to work tomorrow. Ugh.
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07:05 PM
Doug85GT Member
Posts: 9970 From: Sacramento CA USA Registered: May 2003
Well, I have not heard a thing back from the Doctor...
I called last week, and the pathology results had not come in yet. Called today and spoke with Sarah at the clinic. She called Pathology..
The Pathologist has not signed off on the test yet. According to Sarah, he needs to "consult with his colleagues before issuing any data" and stated that I should call back in one or two days.
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04:56 PM
lurker Member
Posts: 12355 From: salisbury nc usa Registered: Feb 2002
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) [1] is a very rare tumor. It is a rare neoplasm of the dermis layer of the skin,[2] and is classified as a sarcoma. There is only about 1 case per million per year. DFSP is a fibrosarcoma,[3] more precisely a cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma. In many respects, the disease behaves as a benign tumor, but in 2-5% of cases it can metastasize, so it should be considered to have malignant potential. It occurs most often in adults in their thirties; it has been described congenitally, in children, and the elderly. It accounts for approximately 2-6% of soft tissue sarcoma cancers. Wikipedia...
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03:45 PM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) [1] is a very rare tumor. It is a rare neoplasm of the dermis layer of the skin,[2] and is classified as a sarcoma. There is only about 1 case per million per year. DFSP is a fibrosarcoma,[3] more precisely a cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma. In many respects, the disease behaves as a benign tumor, but in 2-5% of cases it can metastasize, so it should be considered to have malignant potential. It occurs most often in adults in their thirties; it has been described congenitally, in children, and the elderly. It accounts for approximately 2-6% of soft tissue sarcoma cancers. Wikipedia...
This sounds like what I had (and the name.) It was essentially what looked like a large pimple on my arm but when they removed it it was 1" deep and 1" wide. 95% under the skin. I have a very nice 3" scar from where it was removed. I watched him and we were both shocked at how much was below the skin. It's never good when a doctor says "wow!"
Benign but the doctor said I need to watch for them since they can go bad in some people.
[This message has been edited by TK (edited 07-31-2013).]
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06:06 PM
FriendGregory Member
Posts: 4833 From: Palo Alto, CA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
Eeep, I keep telling people that it is a matter of luck that we live to the next day. I have had a couple curiosities but, nothing as interesting. Please make sure you find some joy in your day, you know life may be shorter than the advertised numbers.
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09:50 PM
Jul 25th, 2012
FriendGregory Member
Posts: 4833 From: Palo Alto, CA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
Being referred to a surgeon to have a larger excision made. Spoke with the doctor in detail today.
Two separate types of cancer cells were found.
Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Cells and the Dermatofibrosarcoma cells.
Both have a relatively low chance of metastasizing, and when they do, it is unlikely that it is a distant occurrence from the source tumor, but more likely a local invasion of the surrounding tissues.
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04:19 PM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
Being referred to a surgeon to have a larger excision made. Spoke with the doctor in detail today.
Two separate types of cancer cells were found.
Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Cells and the Dermatofibrosarcoma cells.
Both have a relatively low chance of metastasizing, and when they do, it is unlikely that it is a distant occurrence from the source tumor, but more likely a local invasion of the surrounding tissues.
Its good to hear its not agressive, and tough to take I am sure. The word is scary, but it was found early Chris. From what you have told us it sounds like this is under control. Sorry to hear you have to have surgery. I'll pray for the best turnout.
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04:47 PM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
This sounds like what I had (and the name.) It was essentially what looked like a large pimple on my arm but when they removed it it was 1' deep and 1" wide. 95% under the skin. I have a very nice 3" scar from where it was removed. I watched him and we were both shocked at how much was below the skin. It's never good when a doctor says "wow!"
Benign but the doctor said I need to watch for them since they can go bad in some people.
So basically if one has a pimple that doesn't go away in a certain amount of time, go get it checked out? Amount of time being, like a few months?
Being referred to a surgeon to have a larger excision made. Spoke with the doctor in detail today.
Two separate types of cancer cells were found.
Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Cells and the Dermatofibrosarcoma cells.
Both have a relatively low chance of metastasizing, and when they do, it is unlikely that it is a distant occurrence from the source tumor, but more likely a local invasion of the surrounding tissues.
So they will just do the normal removal and check for margins?
So basically if one has a pimple that doesn't go away in a certain amount of time, go get it checked out? Amount of time being, like a few months?
I am not a doctor so I would treat anything with suspicion until you know otherwise but be aware all kinds of weird stuff is normal and harmless but if it's unusual for you, get it checked knowing the odds are it's benign. But if it's not, you caught it early. The hardest thing to do is decide you don't know what something is and get it checked out. No one wants to be a hypochondriac but when it comes to skin, you have to be. Your doctor can help you learn what to watch for and what you can rest easy about even if you don't remove it. In my case, it was different and I decided to ask the doctor. Keep in mind, I am 58 so I am getting all kinds of harmless stuff showing up.
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08:22 PM
Aug 3rd, 2012
Synthesis Member
Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
Received a phone call from the University of Minnesota today...
My primary care doctor who did the initial surgery to remove what at first appeared to be a mole referred me to the U of M...
Mayo clinic did the pathology... I have the pathologists' report at home. The Pathologist was scratching his head on the results as well...
I am being referred to the U of M to a dermatologist that specializes in Mohs Surgery, a form of surgery designed to allow full removal of all cancerous tissue and allow a 98% success rate...
Anyway, the doctor at the U told them to call me, and as we set the appointment on the phone, the woman on the line said "The doctor told me to call you and get you in here as soon as possible."
That scares me even more.... I didn't stress at all at the Tyler show/Camp Shipman... But now that I am home... Yeah. I'm tense now.
So I see the doc on Tuesday next week... Scared shitless again.
