Spreading melanoma!

[Caribou]

Hello everyone, I was just curious as to how fast melanoma can spread. My mom found 2 new moles on my dad's back, (he's 61 years old). He had a melanoma mole on his back before and he had it removed without any other treatment. I saw the moles myself and they are definitely new, but they don't look irregular, or discolored...that's what is so odd to me. He is going to the doctor about it soon, but I think that we saw the moles almost 2 months ago. I'm scared that he waited too long to get seen and it will be too late. Can anyone tell me how fast or slow melanoma takes to spread. I don't have any pictures of it unfortunately.
Actually I should say they are darker in color...sorry.

[jenkyleg]

Hi Caribou,

Only a doctor can know for sure, but like anything in the world of cancer, melanoma can spread quickly or slowly. I think it's a good sign if the moles aren't changing, growing, or failing the ABCD chest (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter as large or larger than a pencil eraser). That said, I think visiting the doctor is a good idea. I've heard that most new moles, even in an older adult, aren't cancerous, but given your dad's history with melanoma, catching these sorts of things early is the key. Push for a dermatologist's exam, if possible.

Lastly, be aware of the "ugly duckling" rule. If the moles look like your dad's existing moles (in color, shape, and size) then it's likely that they're nothing. Read about the ugly duckling rule and the ABCDs of skin cancer here: http://dcmf.ca/melanoma

Good luck! I wish you the best.

[LindaRK]

It's good that your dad is seeing his doctor about this - just make sure he stays on top of it.

My husband found a "melanoma" mole on his dad's back/shoulder area.  It was very irregular, puffy and angry-looking.  We were very adament about getting him to the doctor and he didn't do it in a timely manner .... he died within a year.

On the other hand - my mom had melanoma moles three times, from what I remember.  She had them checked, removed and she just turned 92 end of January. :-)

Melanoma isn't predictible, but if you stay on top of it and get it treated, I'm sure the outcome will be positive. We still regret that my FIL took this whole thing so lightly .......

[Moebearocka1980]

Obviously it is best to get any new or changing moles looked at in a timely manner. Even more important with a history of melanoma.

That being said, I had a mole on my lower back that did not follow the ABC's of what a normal mole is suppose to look like. I recently had it removed and it was a benign mole called an interdermal nevus. Proves that not all irregular looking moles are melanoma.

I wish your dad the best of luck.

[mollyfin]

I too have had irregular-looking moles that turned out to be no big deal. 

My uncle had metastatic melanoma and was supposed to have died.  That was over fifteen years ago.  He's fine and well and living the good life, retired with grandkids :)  Melanoma can be successfully treated.  And it sounds like your dad's original melanoma was caught very early.

It's smart to stay on top of it and get new moles checked out when you have a history of melanoma.  But what you're describing sounds like he doesn't have anything to worry about. 

[Caribou]

Thank you for the posts everyone.  I was first worried about my mother's health and now my dad's health.  I just wish that I would be the one to have all of this happen to.  Not because I want it to happen to me, it's just I would go as soon as I found a new mole, or noticed something out of the ordinary in general.  I'm just really worried because he actually forgot about it.  And when I told him he needed to get it looked at since it's been awhile he literally said "well maybe it's too late."

He said it with some sarcasm in his voice so he wasn't totally serious.  I just don't know why he is not taking this seriously.  I'm the only one who is badgering him about this.