Melanoma and fertility drugs???

Just wondering if anyone has had a melanoma after long term use of fertility drugs?

I was due to start my next ICSI cycle last week but my intuition kicked in and I was feeling really uncomfortable about starting so I cancelled the cycle. Then on Sunday I thought I had a tick on my leg only to realise it was a mole that has changed heaps very suddenly. So I took myself off to the GP first thing Monday morning and well...she scared me to say the least!!! I'm having it removed on Thursday and then a 4 day wait for results. The doc says it looks 'estremely suspicious'?

So of course I googled melanoma and the first site I looked at discussed people with a family of history of melanoma (which I have) should be careful even taking the contraceptive pill? Well if that's true...what risk am I at with all these fertility drugs? Has anyone heard of this? I'm terrified!

never heard of it but in having said that went through 3 years of unsuccessful ICSI & a year after i stopped had a malignant melanoma removed - will have to look more into it

ellie

firstly i don't know anything about links between fertility drugs and melanoma. but melanoma is caused by exposure/damage by the sun normally from years of exposure to and/or from bad burns in the past. it is fantastic that you noticed and had it looked at by the doctor. removing it asap is definitely the first step and hopefully you will find it isn't a malignant melanoma at all which is very possible. most skin problems turn out to be basel cell carcenomas (sp?) which are not as serious as melanomas.

to give you some hope and perhaps look on the brighter more positive side, australians and especially aussie doctors are fabulous in spotting any change in skin and getting possible problem areas treated well before they have any chance to turn into anything nasty. aussies citizens and our drs are trained (drilled into them) to treat anything slightly out of the ordinary as suspicious from the start. a good precautionary approach to preventing skin cancers.

please let us know how you go and best of luck with it all.

dusty

I'm not sure about melanoma but I had breast cancer 4 years ago and my Oncologist told me that we wouldn't be able to have a stimulated cycle (because of the hormones) to collect some eggs in case the chemo made put me into menopause. He also told me that I'd never be able to take the pill again either.

Thanks everyone....I'm still researching!!! Lots of interesting information about pregnancy and melanoma...must be linked to the increased hormones which I'm guessing is the link to the stim drugs etc? Will let you know how I go tomorrow. Thanks for all your support...I'm so scared xxx

best of luck hun xx

Thanks Dusty...one more sleep...just want the sucker out!

Well it's out. I have a 10cm cut running down the middle of my knee. No pain yet but I'm sure that will change once the local wears off? Now the 4 day wait for results....always waiting for something...blood test...u/s...TWW...now this!

i am glad the sucker is out!
try not to worry too much hun. gosh all the waiting you have had to go through. you deserve an award for your patience, perseverance and tenacity!

dusty

Well doc confirmed for me today that there is a link between high estrogen levels and melanoma and that stim drugs do increase your risks...not that I would have chosen not to take them...just would have kept a close eye on all my moles! Hindsights a wonderful thing...results sometime next week?

Eek! I guess that should be a warning to us all to keep an eye on moles and things during and after IVF.

I wonder why they don't tell us these things? It's not like it would stop us from doing IVF, but if it can help us avoid later health complications it would be really nice to know!

BW

Absolutely! When I get my results I'm going to let the clinic know what's going on...just for their info...might be nice to encourage people to keep an eye on things...I so wish I hadn't googled melanoma...scarey stuff! Hope you feel better BW xxx

It will happen soon enough, Ellie. In a weird way, it's actually comforting to be sick with the same illness, being treated with the same antibiotics at exactly the same cycle days as my first FET...

I'll be praying for the all clear when your results come through, it's about time something went your way for a change! Long overdue!

BW

Did you get your result back yet Elllie? Thinking of you....
:heartbeat:
Jen

hope you arent fretting yourself silly Ellie. i guess you get your results tomorrow as today is public holiday. take care hun...

Thanks girls...hoping I might hear something tomorrow. The dr phoned the path lab on saturday and asked them to rush it through...but I don't see dr again till Friday to have the stitches out...hope I don't have to wait till then? From my research we are hoping for a result of less than 2mm if it is a melanoma at all...if it's bigger than that I'll be having surgery to remove more tissue and lymph glands...getting ahead of myself I know...but good to know what the next step is so I'm not totally spun out if it happens...I must admit...my intuition is telling me that we may be heading down that road...I hope for once it's wrong?

In all honesty.. I think that if it was that bad you needed surgery .. you would definatly know by now. They don't leave these things, the result would have been faxed to your DR and he would have phoned you.

Stop worring and I start now thinking of TTC again! A much happier thought IMO!

:heartbeat:
Jen

Sending hugs your way. I am sure it will be fine.