Will the Air Force discharge me if they find out I have melanoma?

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It looks like I have melanoma. I would like to get it treated, but I am worried that the Air Force would discharge me for it. Would they? If so, would they offer any kind of severance package or disability, or would they just say GTFO and be done with me?
The Air Force wouldn't throw you out because of melanoma, they would treat this. If you had some other type of cancer then you may receive a medical discharge. You need to get this checked out before it becomes worse. Info from a 20 year retired veteran of the Air Force.  (+ info)

what does residual melanoma mean in a pathology report?

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I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Had a wide re excision that came back with residual melanoma. The primary tumor was 1.98 mm. Invasive. Nodular. What does it mean if there is residual melanoma?
It means that they found melanoma cells outside of the main tumor. It is one of the reasons they cut out such a large section.  (+ info)

Whats going on with incision site after I had a very large melanoma removed?

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8 months ago I had a very large melanoma removed from my lower calf of my leg. Recently the incision site has been itching not around the edges like if it were healing but on the inside where I cant scratch it. I know a growing melanoma will have a tendency to itch, is it possible that the melanoma is growing again in the same spot?
There isn’t enough information here to even guess. It is absolutely essential melanoma is removed with good clear margins and for this reason a re-excision should be done. Melanoma is probably the most unpredictable cancer there is and for this reason you should not take any chances with it. The safest thing for you to do is to get a copy of both operative reports and both pathology reports and take them to an oncology surgeon or a teaching hospital and get a second opinion.


EDIT: No surgeon is going to determine if the cancer was completely removed by imagining. They do not make this determination at all – it is done by the pathologist.  (+ info)

Is it possible to get eye melanoma cancer at age 16?

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I'm asking because i'm 16 and there is a family history of it.
I have a bump on my eye and the dr. said it loos like something is poking the iris out. what do you think? could i have melanoma? i just want some opinions or facts or something.

Thank you!
it is possible to be a hypochondriac at your age.  (+ info)

can i get a medical discharge from the military for having melanoma?

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i had a spot of melanoma removed last year but i am still afraid it will come back. and now i am suppose to deploy in october. i am afraid i won't get the medical treatment i need over there and i am increasingly worried whenever i am in the sun during training as well.
See a therapist. If they feel your fears put you, or your comrades in extra danger, you may get reassigned. Don't be afraid to speak up, You aren't going to do anyone any good by getting hurt or allowing another to because your mind is not where it should be. You have experienced a trauma and are trying to deal with it. Your fear is real, not imagined.  (+ info)

Has anyone had an toenail biopsy for subungal melanoma?

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I recently had one on Friday because both of my pinky toes are dark coloured and the dermatologist said that on the left one, the nail fold seems to have some pigmentation so he wants to make sure its not melanoma. I'm freaked out!!! I'm fearing the worst and I was just wondering if this happened to anyone. I thought my toes were like that because I used to wear exremely tight shoes but I guess the doc wants to make sure.
Its good you're getting a definitive answer to this. Its probably nothing, but even if it is, getting to it early is the key...  (+ info)

What does a skin cancer or melanoma mole look like?

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what does a melanoma or skin cancer mole look like? Is there a good chance of survival if you get it treated soon enough. How much time do you have to act? Just because the mole might be irregular does it necessarily mean melanoma? How big are they? Thanks.
Non melanoma skin cancers (basal and squamous cell) are much more common than melanomas.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skincancer.html

That is not to say that melanomas are not also rather common. Here are some melanoma photos and info to check out. A melanoma doesn't have to be nearly as large as those in these photos since they usually use large examples for online photos.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma

http://www.dermatology.org/molemelanoma/watch2.html

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ruth.livingstone/little/melanoma.htm

With melanomas there are three things that determine cure rate - how big, how deep and how soon you get a proper diagnosis and correct treatment. If you have any thoughts that a mole might not look right then you need to see a dermatologist immediately for a check up.  (+ info)

Melanoma rates have gone up fifty percent in recent years among younger women?

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But not younger men, or older women. Just younger women, and this trend has started around the same time tanning beds have become mainstream which are popular among young women. Scientists cant figure out why melanoma cases are exploding...apparently im the only who made this connection. Now do people realize tanning beds arent safe?
mm everyone knows - - they just dont care
all they care about is what looks good...

i get a really good fake tan though - - just a spray one and its 100% safe!

me and my friends want ot bring in::: "embrace the paste!!"  (+ info)

My husband has an itchy mole and turns out to be Melanoma. Does anybody know what kind of this melanoma?

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How fast this type of skin cancer grow? It start to itch around 1week before he went to see a doctor. Does anybody know whether it start to become melanoma when it start to itch or may be before it? Please help we are so concern about it.
There is more than one type of melanoma. The only way to be sure is by examination and likely biopsy by a doctor.

Best of luck.  (+ info)

What is the best treatment for vaginal malignant melanoma stage 2c ?

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i have a vaginal malignant melanoma. the tumor is 2.5 cm. with ulceration. I made a surgery where ovaries, uterus, the posterior wall of the vagian and the rectum where removed. my doctor said i am of high risk of recurrence. he told me there is no treatment available now except interferon and he is not really sure about its proficiency. the recommended dose he suggested is 3 million to be injected under the skin three times a week. Please help me if there are other treatments and ,if not, is the 3 million interferon dose effective or not. i did the surgery two months ago. no lymph nodes were affected. waiting for your replies. thanks everyone.
I'd go for the interferon therapy for at least a year or longer. I'd want to get started asap. Interferon is a very strong drug and can make you depressed but it has incredible anti-tumor potential plus it is your best option for avoiding another melanoma. 3million units is a rather low dose for melanoma. I'd ask about doing 5 or 10 million units 3X week. Cost will be the same for the higher dosage. I hope you have good drug insurance as interferon is very expensive. If you do not, I'd look into the Patient Assistance programs and maybe you can receive the meds for no cost if you have a very limited income. Your Dr should have already gone through all this with you. Be aggressive with taking care of yourself and in seeking out additional treatment. Remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease - or in this case the interferon.

The advice about starting an antidepressant at the same time as the interferon is good. Also know that interferon side effects can be minimized by taking ibuprofen or Tylenol a couple hours after each interferon injection. Expect to be tired and need to sleep a lot. Give yourself permission to rest and take things easy. In some people the side effects decrease as time goes by. Since you had no nodal involvement you have a chance to be healed and even if the interferon treatment is very difficult, being healed has a great upside compared to doing nothing to prevent a second melanoma or recurrence. good luck

http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/cancertreat/skincancer/interferon_treatment.shtml

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/high-dose-interferon1001

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/430326

http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/full/22/1/7  (+ info)

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