Skin Cancer Stories
Patients Share Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and worldwide. There are three major types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.
Below explore our skin cancer stories from patients who describe how they got diagnosed (first symptoms), undergoing treatments, and navigating life with skin cancer.
Note: We are trying to build more skin cancer stories! If you’re interested in sharing yours, please fill out our Intro Survey.
Table Of Contents
Melanoma Stories
Chris K., Melanoma, Stage 4 (Metastatic)
Symptom: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Treatments: Surgeries (lymphadenectomy, wide local excision, reconstruction), Immunotherapy (neoadjuvant immunotherapy – ipilimumab and nivolumab, PD-1/LAG-3 combination – nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw through a clinical trial)
…
Jenn F., Melanoma, Stage 4
Symptoms: Initially asymptomatic, then a lump in the groin enlarged and changed color
Treatments: Surgery (lymphadenectomy), radiation therapy (Gamma Knife radiosurgery), immunotherapy (Opdivo/nivolumab and Yervoy/ipilimumab)
…
Tara S., Melanoma, Stage 1B
Symptom: Mole on back that became thicker and changed color
Treatments: Surgeries (wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy)
…
Brittanny G., Melanoma, Stage 3A
Symptoms: Mole that enlarged, changed shape, and became dry, patchy, and flaky, fatigue
Treatments: Surgeries (wide local excision, lymphadenectomy), immunotherapy
…
Teresa B., Recurrent Breast Cancer (Hormone-Positive), Oral Cancer (Lip Cancer), and Skin Cancer (Melanoma)
Symptoms: Lip cancer: chapped lips & a pimple-like growth on lip, breast cancer: enlarged left breast with lump, melanoma: none
Treatments: Surgeries (bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, lumpectomy, craniotomy, Mohs, surgery, wide local excision), hormone therapy, radiation therapy
…
Jennifer M., Melanoma, Stage 4 (Metastatic)
Symptom: Persistent cough, body and chest aches and pains, night sweats, fatigue
Treatments: Immunotherapy, surgeries (lung resection, pericardiectomy)
…