Question 1

a normal brown mole turned red and throbbing with pus overnight. is it possible to get a mole infected or is it a deadly nodular melanoma?

Accepted Answer

It is possible to: irritate a mole, so apply some topical ointment and a bandaid and get in to see dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment. It may just be infected

Question 2

i have a red, bump (like a mosquito bite) skin cancer on my shin.  are all bumpy/elevated skin cancers the deadly melanoma type, or not necessarily?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: There are 3 types of skin Cancers: The most common is called a Basal cell carcinoma(this is what you are most likely to have). Melanoma is less common and it usually has a brown or black color to it. But the best way to find out what you have is to go see your doctor(PCP). A dermatologist may be most appropriate if you can get an appointment soon(in 2 weeks or less).

Question 3

what makes skin cancer deadly?

Accepted Answer

Depends on the kind: Melanoma is the kind of skin cancer that usually leads to death. It can spread to vital organs in a fairly aggressive fashion, thus the importance of preventing it by avoiding UV light exposure or at least early detection with regular skin screenings. Other types of skin cancers can kill if neglected but that is uncommon.

Question 4

is skin cancer life threatening?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can be: Melanoma skin cancer is very curable when diagnosed early but is quite vicious if diagnosed late.  Avoid excessive sun exposure or use sun protection. Make sure your doc does a skin exam yearly and point him to any new or changing skin lesion. This is specially true in high risk people: fair skinned, blonde/red haired, blue eyed folks and those with family history or history of sunburns.

Question 5

can a basal cell carcinoma skin cancer, if left untreated eventually invade and become life threatening? it is on shoulder now for 8 years!

Accepted Answer

Invasion of BCC: While this is very very rare there have been reported cases. The main reason to have it removed is that the larger it gets the harder it is to remove. The scar will be bigger and you will wish you had it removed when it was smaller.

Question 6

what is melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Skin cancer: Which arises from melanocytes, which are the cells in the skin which give it color.  For this reason, melanomas are often dark colored on the skin (but some are not). Search on the abcd's of melanoma to learn how to spot a melanoma (or see the image).  Melanomas are dangerous because even a small cancer can metastasize.  However, caught early enough, they are curable.

Question 7

is melanoma transmissible?

Accepted Answer

No: Cancer is not a contagious disease.

Question 8

what are the risk factors for melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: Melanoma risk factors include fair skin, history of sunburns, excessive uv exposure such as from tanning beds, living near the equator or at higher elevations, many (>50) moles or unusual moles, family history of melanoma, and weakened immune system.  We can reduce our risk by reducing sun exposure and observe sun safe practices.

Question 9

please im desperate i think i have a melanoma?

Accepted Answer

At your age unlikely: Although melanoma is uncommon in a woman your age you should have a physician look at the area in question

Question 10

what is "melanoma lymphoma"?

Accepted Answer

I don't know: It is possible that you have 2 very different cancers lumped together. Melanoma is one form of cancer and lymphoma another. They are quite different. On the other hand multiple myeloma is another type of cancer that is often confused with melanoma. I would be glad to revisit this question with you if you research the disease a little more. On the other hand, i may learn something new.

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Doctor answers about:

When is melanoma deadly

A member asked:

A normal brown mole turned red and throbbing with pus overnight. is it possible to get a mole infected or is it a deadly nodular melanoma?

A member asked:

I have a red, bump (like a mosquito bite) skin cancer on my shin. are all bumpy/elevated skin cancers the deadly melanoma type, or not necessarily?

A member asked:

What makes skin cancer deadly?

A member asked:

Is skin cancer life threatening?

A member asked:

Can a basal cell carcinoma skin cancer, if left untreated eventually invade and become life threatening? it is on shoulder now for 8 years!

A member asked:

What is melanoma?

A member asked:

Is melanoma transmissible?

A member asked:

What are the risk factors for melanoma?

A member asked:

Please im desperate i think i have a melanoma?

A member asked:

What is "melanoma lymphoma"?

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