Sometimes I think I was put on this planet just to be a warning to others...


See the harmless looking dot on the sole of my foot? Turns out it's melanoma. Foot-melanomas are particularly insidious in that they often don't get recognized until it's too late. Thankfully mine is tiny, the dermatologist thinks he can cut it out and no further treatment will be needed.

Check your feet!

-Blast

Looks like if fails B & C. How about A and E?

Glad you found it small!

Yikes! Who knew?!?!?!?!?

I am sure I'm not the only one who immediately examined their feet and that of loved ones. Forewarned is forearmed.

Dang. Looked at my feet so fast I pulled something elsewhere.

Thank goodness you caught it. Best wishes.

And thanks for the reminder to the rest of us to beware.

My wife is a medical assistant at a dermatologists office here in FL. She's got over 20 years in the field, and I'm always getting checked. PLEASE make sure the doctor looks you over thoroughly, even if it means momentary embarrassment. Better that than the treatment, trust me. There are numerous things to watch for, one mainly being a sudden change in any moles or dark spots, should they grow or suddenly become hard or flaky. Check ALL over, or have significant other do it, especially your back. Noses, ears, top of head, arms, all areas regularly and repeatedly exposed to full sunlight should be regularly checked. Wifey says melonoma is one of the only skin cancers that hereditary. Best of luck and PLEASE keep us informed.

OMG. how is melanoma look different from aging spot?

Holy crap! (neurotically checks feet) Thanks for the heads up Blast. Wishing you fast and full recovery for your removal.

A BIG THANKS for the information Blast (says the now barefoot man at his computer). I have now just discovered 2 marks on my left foot that meet 2 of the points you listed. I have a doctors appointment soon for my lingering concussion symptoms and I will have him check my foot "marks" then.

I spent a lot of time outdoors and my kids tease me about the permanant brown line across my forehead where my hat ends.

Hope all is well with you Blast and terrific that you caught this at such an early stage. What made you check out your feet in the first place?

Thanks again, MIKE

A speedy recovery to you Blast. And thanks for the warning.

Good luck on getting it removed and the removal being the end of the story.

They don't - that's the problem.
Generally anything raised above the skin is a concern.
Moles on hands an feet often get ignored as age spots.

Well good catch. You never know when that could hit you.

I had a friend with the same issue several years back. For years he had a tiny small black spot on the side of middle toe. Went for dermatologist visit, who immediately removed what he could, sent him to a plastic surgeon the next day for complete removal.

A couple of days later the dermatologist called to tell him it was full blown melanoma. If it had "broken loose" there would be nothing he could do to help him.

And yes, I went for a full checkup and continue annually.

Dermatologist also told me Bob Marley died from melanoma on his foot.

Go get checked. And slather on the sunscreen.

I was at the doctor's one day. He asked me how long I had had the freckle on the palm of my hand. It is about one and one-half mm across. Me, being clueless, answered "I dunno". He informed me spots on the palm are not common. It can be an early warning for cancer he said. Now I check it very often to see if it changes. Hand, foot, who knew?

OK.... You are getting it removed properly, not via any of the Blast-prefered techniques (fire, chemicals, explosions, attack cats), right?

I get my moles checked annually. I'm paranoid about them.

Blast- That may or may not be a melanoma. I would be most comfortable with a doctor that told you that it was suspicious looking and in need of removal but not that it is definately one thing or another. This must be done with appropriate technique of course. Only the final pathology will tell the tale. Good luck. I hope it all turns out ok.

Added: I have seen many junctional nevi that look like this.

So after spending several hours on the internet, there does seem to be a lot of similarity between the appearance of melanomas and junctional nevi(s?). As it is, I really hope you are right, Tom!

The spot on my foot is 7mm across at the widest, usually it has to be over 6mm before it's considered a melanoma (from what I've read). I'm hoping that this means that if it is a melanoma it is a small, young one. I go in on Aug. 24th to have it cut out. Hopefully the doc will let me bring a camera.

-Blast

You are in Houston, why not head for M.D.Anderson?
If anyone can tell you what is going on, it is those folks.

+1 on M.D. Anderson. They caught stuff our local MD missed.

I'm glad you caught it early! Glad to hear the dermatologist thinks it's a quick fix. Good luck with the procedure.

Hey Blast,

Welcome to the skin cancer club. Us white boys that grew up in TX often have a problem with that. Fortunately, mine was just a basal cell carcinoma, which isn't terribly aggressive.

I got a cool scar on my back to show for it, and an annual appointment with my dermatologist for the rest of my life.

Hope your surgery goes well, and it doesn't keep you off your feet too long.

Greg

Thanks for the heads up Blast. I've been mainly watching my neck, ears, forearms (areas that are most exposed to the sun.

I knew it could crop up anywhere but like a dummy I only look at the "hot spots"

Glad you caught it small.

Okay, due to popular (not to mention sick and twisted) demand, pictures of my foot surgery are now up on my blog.

-Blast, a bloody example to others

ouch

they cut they eyeball out

Glad they got it Blast.

Good catch!

Glad to hear that your surgery went well Blast.

I wish you a speedy and easy recovery!

Mike

Good wishes to you, Blast.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. The report came back clean, as far as the lab can tell the doc managed to remove everything. There is much joy in the Blast household!

-Blast

That is great news .

Pete

Hooray!