Skin cancer question?

The other day my girlfriend saw my mole on my back and told me that it looked different and that i should see the doctor. Well the doctor checked it out and performed a biopsy on it. I will get the results in 2 weeks. My question is does skin cancer develop from the mole that was removed? What exactly is skin cancer? Thanks.

Skin cancer question?
I had malignant melanoma from a mole that I had removed back in 99. I was totally terrified while I waited for my original results.





When the phone call came I was at work and although I tried not to cry I just broke down. To me hearing the big C was like hearing a death sentence. I was told that they would have to cut deeper to make sure that all the cancer was removed and then I was sent to the hospital to have a sentinel lymph node test completed (they remove some of your lymph nodes to find out if any have cancer).





When the lab gets your biopsy, they will not only check to see if it is cancerous but they will also shave the mole into layers to see if the bottom layers are cancer free. If they are, then they know that they got it all. Since most doctors don't want to dig all the way down the first time, there is a chance that your doctor may have to go in again in the same location. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt anymore than the first time.








Since your mole is on your back it's not very close to any lymph nodes, which is good because the cancer can spread through the lymph glands.





The sites listed below can explain better than I can about what exactly it is, what I wanted to tell you is that it is not the end!!





Although I have to continue to get blood work and x-rays completed twice a year ( there is something funny showing but they are not sure what it is and so far for 8 years it hasn't grown so they don't want to go on), I have never needed chemo or any other type of treatments.





Melanoma is the most deadly form and I'm fine so even if you do have cancer it could just be Basal Cell Carcinoma, which is the most common and is not deadly. And if the mole was caught early (which is sounds like) there is even less to worry about.





Although you will probably stress for the next 2 weeks--try not to--I probably cried enough for both of us--and i didn't even need to.
Reply:Your mole could be a basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma or a melanoma; very smart to go to the doctor. Skin cancer is nothing to fool around with, especially if you are fair skinned like blonds for example. It is just like other cancers in its fast growth and deadliness, even skin cancer kills people. The worst thing a person can do is get sunburned and that includes tanning booths. Your girlfriend sounds like a keeper, take care of her, she is doing a great job of taking care of you.
Reply:Too answer your question, skin cancer will not develop in that spot where they removed the mole, especially if they got all of the cells out. Skin cancer is what it sounds like, cancer of the skin. There are three types of skin cancer, Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma and then there is Melanoma. Squamous and Melanoma are the only ones that can spread to other parts of the body and be potentially life threaten. Basal Cell can just be very disfiguring. You also have to keep in mind that there are Atypical (Dysplastic) moles out there too. Those are just abnormal moles that look weird, kinda like a Melanoma but are not cancer at all. The best way to describe an Atypical mole is, and this is how I explain it to people at work, skin cancer is black, b9 moles are white and Atypical mole are grey, so they look funny like a skin cancer but are probably not one or will ever turn into one. If you do end up with one of these Atypical moles, don't be scared just make sure they removed all of it and be seen every 6 months for a complete skin exam.





Take it from me, I work in dermatology, skin cancer is serious if left untreated, but if caught early and treated then you have nothing to worry about, just maybe a scar and acne from all the sunscreen you will be lathering on ;)
Reply:It could be skin caner, you did the right thing by getting it looked at right away because if it is cancer the sooner the better. I had skin cancer almost 2 years ago, I was lucky it was basal cell (meaning it does not spread past the skin). Melonoma is the most dangerous but also the least common form of skin caner, this type spreads (usually quickly) to other parts of your body. If you have the basal cell form of cancer your doctor will completely remove it in the office, its a bit scary but knowing that the cancer has been removed it the best feeling. Keep your expose to the sun limited, people who have had basal cells are far more likely to have melonoma in the future.