What is a junctional nevus?

[Katymac]

As my DD (9yo) has one and is seeing a specialist urgently

I can't understand much when I google

& I don't understand what urgent means wrt NHS - is it this year, this month, when we get round to it?

Definitions of junctional nevus on the Web:

A mole found in the junction (border) between the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. These moles may be pigmented and slightly raised, and have a higher risk of developing into malignant melanoma.

dont know if this helps much

and take a look at \link{http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/21212/diagnose.htm} this

Thanks - it isn't great is it?

I'd love to know what "urgent" means - I sure it doesn't mean the same to "them" as it does to me

have a look at this

A mole found between the outer layer of skin and the deeper layer of skin - malignant melanoma is a type of skin cancer but they will be checking it out as a precaution so dont panic.

I developed a lot of moles post pregnancy and if I am honest its probably better not to have too much information. By the time I saw a dermatologist i thought I had malignant melanoma and was beyond help. I got so worked up with some of the things that I read we paid £80 to see the dermatlogist privately. You have to go to the dr to be referred to a private dermatologist and if any treatment is required you can still opt to have it done on the nhs. urgent was about 6 weeks around here.

I am not panicing exactly however i didn't think skin cancer (exageration - I know) was something I would worry about with DD as she is mixed race and I thought (probably wrongly) that her dual heritage gave her some protection

iyswim

i mean not too much info available on the web. some websites should be sue for the fear that they create.

I am mixed race katymac - I attract the sun easily, i never burnt as a child but as an adult I burn really easily which would put me at a slightly higher risk than someone who doesnt burn. I asked the dermatologist about the colour/protection and he said that exra protection because of colour is not always the case and that many people depend on it. More than likely it will be precaution skin cancer in children is rare.

Urgent is usually within weeks (preferably within 2-3 weeks)

The "2 week rule" is for refering people that the GP thinks have cancer. There are strict referral criteria for these and the hospital has to see them within 2 weeks.

"Soon" is usually a couple of months

"routine" - well - who knows?!

Junctional naevi are pigmented lesions that can eventually turn nasty - so probably needs seeing soon to see if it needs removing or not.

HTH

Thanks guys

My friend was saying just yesterday how many new freckles DD had on her face & how dark they were

I guess I will mention them to the Specialist as well

I guess if they say urgent I don't need to go private

I am glad now I insisted on putting factor 40 on her every summer as everyone said I didn't need to bother

Bump as we are off to see a specialist tomorrow

Any advise/suggestions for things to ask?

Bump for stuff to ask consultant?