My father has spent over two years being scrapped, biopsied and treated for basal and squamous cell carcinoma. Last September he developed a mass below the lower right side of his jaw and neck. It was biopsied and pathology confirmed melanoma. It now has been three excisions and radiation to stop the mass from returning. However, now we have another mass located on the other side of his body underneath his left arm. We were all diligent in assessing and treating his skin lesions. None of the lesions every identified melanoma. That is the reason for my question.
Answer:
Patients who develop non-melanoma skin cancer have a greater likelihood of developing melanoma also. It sounds as if your father falls into this category. Depending on the thickness of the melanoma, he could have been cured by the excision or it may have spread beyond the site where it developed. Given that something has developed in a different site, it is very important that this be evaluated. Widespread melanoma is a very serious disease although new data has recently emerged showing several new drugs can be effective at treatment. I would discuss these items with your doctor who will work with you and your family as to the best approach for diagnosis and treatment.
