Any mole can turn cancerous given the "wrong" combination of circumstances. Did you ever get burned on the site of the mole, even when you were a small child? I had a bad burn on my nose and face in the 1950's and the doctor said I was now at high risk for cancer, and to always keep my face covered with some kind of sun tan lotion (what they called it in those days!). I hated wearing it, but today, I am still cancer free.

I recently heard of a woman who got some kind of cancer on Rituxan. These meds all have a slight cancer risk, just sad that you got it. I have never heard of anyone actually getting cancer from these drugs though, till I heard about this woman 2 weeks ago, and now you!

I guess follow your doctor's orders. Do you have an oncologist? Specialists are not good at communicating with each other I have found, unless they are in some big American hospital noted for research and teaching, which most of us do not have access to. Still, talk with each one about your RA treatment options. You may just have to go on some RA meds that are less effective, but will not trigger another episode.

I hope someone else will have something to share about this. And welcome to the group, if you are new. (Hard to tell, on the new DS!)

I certainly appreciate your reply. I have what's called superficial spreading melanoma. Reading the many risk factors, one of course is sun exposure and another is weakened immune system, "certain medication that weaken the immune system". I had gotten plenty of sunburns throughout the years, I'm 57 and didn't care much then. I intend to get back on the "meth" as soon as my surgery is over, but I do have an appt. with Rheumatologist the day before surgery. So far he feels my dose is so low that I am better off with it instead of going into a flare. As soon as they check the lymph nodes, we see where to go from there. I started with the group about a year ago but got lost with the new DS. Thank you again for relying. Cheers to a new year!! :)

Sorry to hear you've had this diagnosis on top of the RA.
I don't know how likely it would be for MTX at a dose for RA over a year to cause or contribute to a melanoma.
But as you say, the surgery and minimising infection risk is your main priority at the moment, then negotiating the safest RA treatment for you going forward.
Make them super aware of your RA and infection concerns. I hope all goes well.

Thank you also for your reply Zee. I don't know that I want to believe the MTX is the culprit. It along with the Plaqunil has been working so well for me. As I said, I will go back on it as soon as I can, hopefully. Being off prednisone for the last few months is exciting for me and I don't want to go back on it. It may just be that this was just timing. Your right and I will stress my fear of infection following surgery, that scares me more right now. I believe and have been told by both rheumy, PC and surgeon that this has probably been caught early so I have to go with good thoughts for a positive outcome. Just had a new grandson born (12/3) and an 8 yr old grandson that I want to see grow up.

OK....Let's get educated about infection. Ask your doctor for all the warning signs of possible infection and tell your doctor to be prepared for calls from you.

Perhaps prophylactic antibiotics? A broad spectrum that you would start before the excision?

That would seem to be a smart move.

Your fear needs to be assuaged. Ask for a week's supply of antibiotics.

Good advice Cali, will call the office this morning. Dr.'s can be stingy when asking for antibiotics but I'd sure rather be safe that sorry.

It's not like you're asking for heroin......And you can tell your doctor that if there's an issue.

Just one week supply that you start prior to surgery.