Abnormal mole on child. Don't know what to do?!
Question: Recently I took my son (8) to the dermatologist to have a mole looked at. The mole is larger than a pencil eraser, oval, a few shades of dark brown to black in the center (raised), a lighter brown surrounding it (flat) with uneven borders. The texture is slightly rough. I'm not sure if he had this mole at birth, but it definitely appeared within his first two years of life.
The dermatologist said it has a few of the characterists of a melanoma, but that melanoma is extremely rare in children. He believes it to be a dysplastic nevi (abnormal, but benign, mole). He advises that it should be removed. He'll remove it now if I want, but prefers to wait a year or two to avoid giving my child any trauma.
I am so very torn. Since it has to be removed anyway, my mind would be greatly relieved if it were removed now.
What would you do? Wait, or get it over with? Also, would you have it biopsied just to be on the safe side?
Answers: Recently I took my son (8) to the dermatologist to have a mole looked at. The mole is larger than a pencil eraser, oval, a few shades of dark brown to black in the center (raised), a lighter brown surrounding it (flat) with uneven borders. The texture is slightly rough. I'm not sure if he had this mole at birth, but it definitely appeared within his first two years of life.
The dermatologist said it has a few of the characterists of a melanoma, but that melanoma is extremely rare in children. He believes it to be a dysplastic nevi (abnormal, but benign, mole). He advises that it should be removed. He'll remove it now if I want, but prefers to wait a year or two to avoid giving my child any trauma.
I am so very torn. Since it has to be removed anyway, my mind would be greatly relieved if it were removed now.
What would you do? Wait, or get it over with? Also, would you have it biopsied just to be on the safe side?
At eight years old, getting any kind of operation however minor will be unpleasant and unless he is an exceptionally mature child it will probably upset him as he won't fully comprehend the situation.
But kids tend to forget pain fairly quickly. However if it is cancerous, and it spreads the consequential operations and chemo/radiation therapy would be pretty traumatic.
I've known 12 people with cancer - it is unimaginably horrible and I'd do anything in my power to prevent any child of mine going through that hell.
Do it now. I honestly do NOT understand why the doctor is even providing the option of waiting. Here where I am, in Australia, we virtually have an epidemic of melanoma and doctors take it very seriously. Even only slightly suspect moles are removed as soon as possible. Melanoma can spread through the body extremely aggressively and without warning.
I know that it is unpleasant prospect to put your child through that kind of procedure, but the alternative is infinitely worse.
Do it now hon.
Edit: Generally all moles are biopsied after removal to determine their nature.
if he advised it to be removed then i would do so. the trauma of a having a mole removed will be nothing compered if the worse were to happen. i would really get this over with and have it removed for SURE.
My family has a history of melanoma. It can occur at a young age, it is just much less common. Do you live in a very sunny area? Or have skin cancer in the family? I would get it biopsied personally.
I would have it taken off right away and yes he should have it tested. My daughter has had skin cancer already but had it taken off and is doing well. Most likely he is fine but don't take a chance.
A mole with strong possible melanoma tendencies should be taken out right away.
Children are stronger then you think. You holding back due to your own fears. You don't want to wait and worry about the "Shouldda's"
Have it removed now. You'll feel better once it's done, and even though it is probably a congenital dysplastic nevus, it's wiser to take care of it now before it has a chance to become cancerous.
I have a similar mole that I've had since i was that age - same diagnosis. It's never been removed, never caused me problems and my mom used to joke that it was a distinguishing mark as an identifer. Not really that funny of a joke, but leaving it would have a distinguishing mark on him too.
I'd leave it - why unneccessary surgery - then or now?
I have a family history of melanoma and would get it removed as soon as possible. There's no advantage to waiting.
At age 8, he's plenty old enough to understand that this could be a problem and the only way to know for sure, is to remove it.
My aunt waited too long to long to have a mole removed and it killed her. If she had had her suspicious mole removed when her doctor first wanted to, she would still be here.
I don't understand why you wouldn't have it biopsied? If it is melanoma, you need to know. If its not, that will give you piece of mind.