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.

I just wish I knew! When the Dr spoke to the path lab on Saturday they hadn't even looked at it...much to dr's disgust...and it's a long weekend here so it's tomorrow at the earliest...my dr's great and she said she'd phone me as soon as she gets news...she's more anxious than me!?@! Thanks so much for your support...just wish it was for a TTC procedure rather than this...a little detour...that's all :)

I really know how you feel. And once you know one way or the other .. its better than not knowing.
I am getting mine remove this thurdsay at 8am .. you should know about yours by then. I am also getting a full mole check. I am very very worried .. however I just want it out.

I am also having a breast lump removed at the beginning of Nov. I wanted to BF as long as possible before getting it out.. shes pretty sure is not cancer .. but she said nothing is 100% so yeah I'm sweating on that too :/

I just keep thinking to myself that by chrismtas all my health checks will be done and everything will come back fine. I'll be on my way to losing bubba weight and TTC again.

Sometimes dont you wish you could grab the*life remote control* and press fast forward :/

:heartbeat:
Jen

Absolutely! I'm getting the full 'cancer screen' done now...ultrasounds, bloods etc. Only because of the family history...I'm basically the only one out of 3 generations to have escaped it this long...so should be thankful for that I spose...
I hope everything goes well for you on Thursday...did you have a heaps of tests done on lump before deciding to have it removed? You just have to hope these doc's know their stuff hey!@?! Just think...this time next week we should both know we're fine and moving on to the next challenge...it's character building I guess?

I had an ultrasound and also a fine needle biopsy (hurt like hell). ALl came back ok .. so there was no rush, but she said it was up to me.. and I would definatly rather have it out. Then I dont need to monitor it and have 6 monthly unlrasounds.
I will still beable to BF on one side .. and maybe the other just have to wait and see.
I'm having a mole out Thursday and lump removed early november. so by christmas im hope to be fit healthy and thriving and TTC again !

best of luck for tomorrow hun. you have lots of us watching over you and sending you lots of positive thoughts and vibes. hope you are doing ok.

xx dusty

Preliminary report is in...so far pathologist thinks it is a 'congenital nevis'...which is just a mole which has been around since birth and will have 'growth spurts'...hence the link to my pregnancy. They are still checking the outer tissue but so far so good!!! Yippee!!!

yay yay yay! that is wonderful news ellie, you must be so relieved!

dusty

I just knew it was time for things to go your way, Ellie! :)

Here's hoping there's a lot more good news to follow.

BW

Yeah! Guess who I called straight after DH...the clinic!!!! As long as AF arrives before the 22nd Oct I can fit in a cycle before Christmas! I'm still having all the other tests done just because of the family history...it's been such a great day. I also found out that the other two LTTTC's at my clinic are pregnant and one with twins! So it's only me left and they say it goes in threes right! Hope is a wonderful thing!

Woo Hoo Ellie!
That is great news

That is fantastic news ellie!!!!!!! So happy for you ... all the worry for nothing! I wish you all the luck in the world for your TTC.

:heartbeat:
Jen

fab news all round ellie! best wishes for the cycle hun! i really really hope and pray this is the one for you! take care...

Thanks so much for your support everyone! And I should hear about the job I applied for today...so it's all looking good...a very nice change indeed :)