Newcomer here. Question while waiting on biopsy results (with pics)…

This topic has 36 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 7 months ago by stars.

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- January 27, 2017 at 4:05 pm
- Quote
derek1013
Participant
Hello everyone,

On Monday I went to a dermatologist for the first time in my life. I'm a 29 y/o male, and I just learned about the ABCDEs of skin cancer two days earlier. Unfortunately I had a mole just north of my navel which seems to have met all 5 of the criteria:

Here's another picture showing the size better (the black ring is 6mm):

So you can see that it is about 10mm in length, bi-colored, and misshapen. Furthermore I found a photo of myself from 10 years ago, and the mole didn't exist back then. A photo from 4 years ago shows it, but it did seem a little smaller at the time.

Luckily I was able to get a same day appointment with the derm on Monday. After seeing the spot on my stomach, he let slip "Oh we definitely need to have that looked at" — not the most comforting thing to hear. He also found a spot on my back shoulder which he was less concerned about, but he took a shave biopsy of both. I'm currently waiting on the results =/

I honestly wasn't very worried until the next morning when my wife was helping me change the bandages on my biopsy sites. The scar on my back looked pink/white, pretty much how I would expect it to:

However the scar on my stomach, the big ugly one, looked a lot darker. It made me wonder just how deep this thing really goes:

I know I have to wait for the biopsy results to come back to know anything definitively, but I'm very curious to hear your opinions about the scar on my stomach. Does the dark color (where my skin was removed) indicate deep roots? If so, do lots of moles tend to go deep, or is it more so a trait of cancerous moles? Did any of your biopsy scars look like that one, and if so what was the eventual diagnosis? Any other general thoughts?

I know I'm supposed to be taking my mind off of it while I wait, but I would much rather pre-process as much of this as possible. You guys seem like a very kind and welcoming crowd – I hope you don't mind my asking those questions. Thank you very much for your time.

Derek

Viewing 14 reply threads

Replies

- - January 27, 2017 at 4:10 pm
  - Quote
  derek1013
  Participant
  Looks like the pictures didn't come through. Here are some links:
  
  Original mole:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjNWY1TGZtYkZfREk/view
  
  Mole with ruler:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjclBHSlVNX0VBWVU/view
  
  Shoulder biopsy site:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjUkZ2V01sa1BKWWc/view
  
  Original mole (stomach) biopsy site:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjazhVdmdmSHJFTVE/view
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:36 pm
    
    Quote
    A
    Participant
    
    Hi! I know how you feel, but there is a hope that this mole will be just dysplastic and not melanoma. It looks like "fried egg" (e.g., dark center with lighter outside), which is a common presentation of dysplastic nevus. Fingers crossed I am right.
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:36 pm
    
    Quote
    A
    Participant
    
    Hi! I know how you feel, but there is a hope that this mole will be just dysplastic and not melanoma. It looks like "fried egg" (e.g., dark center with lighter outside), which is a common presentation of dysplastic nevus. Fingers crossed I am right.
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:54 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Thanks Anon! I hope you are right too. That is pretty interesting that some atypical moles manifest the same way like that.
    
    I really wish I would have taken time to learn about skin care earlier, but better late than never 🙂
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:54 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Thanks Anon! I hope you are right too. That is pretty interesting that some atypical moles manifest the same way like that.
    
    I really wish I would have taken time to learn about skin care earlier, but better late than never 🙂
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:54 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Thanks Anon! I hope you are right too. That is pretty interesting that some atypical moles manifest the same way like that.
    
    I really wish I would have taken time to learn about skin care earlier, but better late than never 🙂
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:36 pm
    
    Quote
    A
    Participant
    
    Hi! I know how you feel, but there is a hope that this mole will be just dysplastic and not melanoma. It looks like "fried egg" (e.g., dark center with lighter outside), which is a common presentation of dysplastic nevus. Fingers crossed I am right.
- - January 27, 2017 at 4:10 pm
  - Quote
  derek1013
  Participant
  Looks like the pictures didn't come through. Here are some links:
  
  Original mole:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjNWY1TGZtYkZfREk/view
  
  Mole with ruler:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjclBHSlVNX0VBWVU/view
  
  Shoulder biopsy site:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjUkZ2V01sa1BKWWc/view
  
  Original mole (stomach) biopsy site:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjazhVdmdmSHJFTVE/view
- - January 27, 2017 at 4:10 pm
  - Quote
  derek1013
  Participant
  Looks like the pictures didn't come through. Here are some links:
  
  Original mole:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjNWY1TGZtYkZfREk/view
  
  Mole with ruler:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjclBHSlVNX0VBWVU/view
  
  Shoulder biopsy site:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjUkZ2V01sa1BKWWc/view
  
  Original mole (stomach) biopsy site:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4sKtjD0BNQjazhVdmdmSHJFTVE/view
- - January 27, 2017 at 5:00 pm
  - Quote
  cancersnewnormal
  Participant
  First of all, kudos to you for going in and having it checked. You are correct that only the pathology report can confirm melanoma. Based on your historical description, and the "traditional identifiers" of that stomach mole, I personally would be prepared for the possibility that the docs are going to want to do a wide margin excision. If it turns out to be just a weird looking mole… then… YEAH! Beyond a wide margin surgery… aaaaaand further pathology, there is not a way to tell how deep it really goes. Waiting SUCKS, and is never without worry. On the positive note, you did get it checked and biopsied, so you're one the right path for attacking it before it potentially "attacks" you. Put that bandage back over it, and take some time to distract yourself this weekend. Even if the worst possible news you can imagine were to come of this… you're still walking, talking, and enjoying life. That will give you a strong edge, should you need one.
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:41 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Thank you for the reply Niki, it was very nice to hear a response. It is nice to have a place to ask questions and vent concerns without putting any unncecessary stress on my loved ones at this point. Hopefully I will get to look back and feel silly for worrying in the first place 🙂
    
    I'm still learning about the various procedures, but I assume a "wide margin excision" is only done if a cancer is identified? To be honest, that is what I'm expecting to hear from the doc, but I guess I'm just bracing for the worst, hoping to be surprised.
    
    Thanks again — it really meant a lot to me. Whether we speak again or not, I wish you the very best on your journey (I plan to look at your site and read about it after work :)).
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:41 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Thank you for the reply Niki, it was very nice to hear a response. It is nice to have a place to ask questions and vent concerns without putting any unncecessary stress on my loved ones at this point. Hopefully I will get to look back and feel silly for worrying in the first place 🙂
    
    I'm still learning about the various procedures, but I assume a "wide margin excision" is only done if a cancer is identified? To be honest, that is what I'm expecting to hear from the doc, but I guess I'm just bracing for the worst, hoping to be surprised.
    
    Thanks again — it really meant a lot to me. Whether we speak again or not, I wish you the very best on your journey (I plan to look at your site and read about it after work :)).
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:54 pm
    
    Quote
    cancersnewnormal
    Participant
    
    Yes, a wide margin excision should only be recommended if the biopsy pathology shows cancer. That said, my initial punch biopsy was questionable. Apparently the pathologist couldn't identify the cells with a degree of certainty. The punch may not have been big enough. Didn't cover enough of the spread area on the dysplasit nevus. A shave biopsy should have more certain results. My doc opted to send me in for surgical removal, with the thought that it was a preventative measure. The pathology that came back from THAT surgery showed it was indeed melanoma, so a wide margin was done. That one removed all of the skin and fatty layer, down to the muscle, to ascertain that the entire depth and spread had been taken out. Looking back, I kind of wish they had treated it as melanoma for the FIRST surgery, and just gone straight to wide margin. It left a bigger scar, but I'd rather have only been knocked out and cut once.
    
    PS… my website may take you down a "scary path" of "what ifs" right now. 😉 You may want to hold off on that until you've got some solid pathology news back. It's a happy ending, but the plot line is prior to some of the newest treatments, so there's some ugly "chapters". **insert cheesy grin here**
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:54 pm
    
    Quote
    cancersnewnormal
    Participant
    
    Yes, a wide margin excision should only be recommended if the biopsy pathology shows cancer. That said, my initial punch biopsy was questionable. Apparently the pathologist couldn't identify the cells with a degree of certainty. The punch may not have been big enough. Didn't cover enough of the spread area on the dysplasit nevus. A shave biopsy should have more certain results. My doc opted to send me in for surgical removal, with the thought that it was a preventative measure. The pathology that came back from THAT surgery showed it was indeed melanoma, so a wide margin was done. That one removed all of the skin and fatty layer, down to the muscle, to ascertain that the entire depth and spread had been taken out. Looking back, I kind of wish they had treated it as melanoma for the FIRST surgery, and just gone straight to wide margin. It left a bigger scar, but I'd rather have only been knocked out and cut once.
    
    PS… my website may take you down a "scary path" of "what ifs" right now. 😉 You may want to hold off on that until you've got some solid pathology news back. It's a happy ending, but the plot line is prior to some of the newest treatments, so there's some ugly "chapters". **insert cheesy grin here**
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:54 pm
    
    Quote
    cancersnewnormal
    Participant
    
    Yes, a wide margin excision should only be recommended if the biopsy pathology shows cancer. That said, my initial punch biopsy was questionable. Apparently the pathologist couldn't identify the cells with a degree of certainty. The punch may not have been big enough. Didn't cover enough of the spread area on the dysplasit nevus. A shave biopsy should have more certain results. My doc opted to send me in for surgical removal, with the thought that it was a preventative measure. The pathology that came back from THAT surgery showed it was indeed melanoma, so a wide margin was done. That one removed all of the skin and fatty layer, down to the muscle, to ascertain that the entire depth and spread had been taken out. Looking back, I kind of wish they had treated it as melanoma for the FIRST surgery, and just gone straight to wide margin. It left a bigger scar, but I'd rather have only been knocked out and cut once.
    
    PS… my website may take you down a "scary path" of "what ifs" right now. 😉 You may want to hold off on that until you've got some solid pathology news back. It's a happy ending, but the plot line is prior to some of the newest treatments, so there's some ugly "chapters". **insert cheesy grin here**
  - January 27, 2017 at 6:14 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Very interesting! Thank you for the details of your initial biopsy experience. I ended up reading (too late of course) that shave biopsis were controversial if melanoma is suspected, but I'm glad to hear you think it will provide a higher degree of certainty.
    
    It sounds like you've been through a lot. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm really glad that you had a happy ending and that you are alive to tell the tale! I'll take your advice and set a reminder to read your story in a couple weeks. However it turns out for me, it's been interesting to brush up against this entire world which I was previously naive about, and to see how supportive everyone is.
  - January 27, 2017 at 6:14 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Very interesting! Thank you for the details of your initial biopsy experience. I ended up reading (too late of course) that shave biopsis were controversial if melanoma is suspected, but I'm glad to hear you think it will provide a higher degree of certainty.
    
    It sounds like you've been through a lot. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm really glad that you had a happy ending and that you are alive to tell the tale! I'll take your advice and set a reminder to read your story in a couple weeks. However it turns out for me, it's been interesting to brush up against this entire world which I was previously naive about, and to see how supportive everyone is.
  - January 27, 2017 at 6:14 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Very interesting! Thank you for the details of your initial biopsy experience. I ended up reading (too late of course) that shave biopsis were controversial if melanoma is suspected, but I'm glad to hear you think it will provide a higher degree of certainty.
    
    It sounds like you've been through a lot. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm really glad that you had a happy ending and that you are alive to tell the tale! I'll take your advice and set a reminder to read your story in a couple weeks. However it turns out for me, it's been interesting to brush up against this entire world which I was previously naive about, and to see how supportive everyone is.
  - January 27, 2017 at 5:41 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Thank you for the reply Niki, it was very nice to hear a response. It is nice to have a place to ask questions and vent concerns without putting any unncecessary stress on my loved ones at this point. Hopefully I will get to look back and feel silly for worrying in the first place 🙂
    
    I'm still learning about the various procedures, but I assume a "wide margin excision" is only done if a cancer is identified? To be honest, that is what I'm expecting to hear from the doc, but I guess I'm just bracing for the worst, hoping to be surprised.
    
    Thanks again — it really meant a lot to me. Whether we speak again or not, I wish you the very best on your journey (I plan to look at your site and read about it after work :)).
- - January 27, 2017 at 5:00 pm
  - Quote
  cancersnewnormal
  Participant
  First of all, kudos to you for going in and having it checked. You are correct that only the pathology report can confirm melanoma. Based on your historical description, and the "traditional identifiers" of that stomach mole, I personally would be prepared for the possibility that the docs are going to want to do a wide margin excision. If it turns out to be just a weird looking mole… then… YEAH! Beyond a wide margin surgery… aaaaaand further pathology, there is not a way to tell how deep it really goes. Waiting SUCKS, and is never without worry. On the positive note, you did get it checked and biopsied, so you're one the right path for attacking it before it potentially "attacks" you. Put that bandage back over it, and take some time to distract yourself this weekend. Even if the worst possible news you can imagine were to come of this… you're still walking, talking, and enjoying life. That will give you a strong edge, should you need one.
- - January 27, 2017 at 5:00 pm
  - Quote
  cancersnewnormal
  Participant
  First of all, kudos to you for going in and having it checked. You are correct that only the pathology report can confirm melanoma. Based on your historical description, and the "traditional identifiers" of that stomach mole, I personally would be prepared for the possibility that the docs are going to want to do a wide margin excision. If it turns out to be just a weird looking mole… then… YEAH! Beyond a wide margin surgery… aaaaaand further pathology, there is not a way to tell how deep it really goes. Waiting SUCKS, and is never without worry. On the positive note, you did get it checked and biopsied, so you're one the right path for attacking it before it potentially "attacks" you. Put that bandage back over it, and take some time to distract yourself this weekend. Even if the worst possible news you can imagine were to come of this… you're still walking, talking, and enjoying life. That will give you a strong edge, should you need one.
- - January 27, 2017 at 5:44 pm
  - Quote
  UBContributor
  Participant
  I am 26 y.o male. Dx-ed mid Nov 2016, removed 4×6 mm mole with colorations. Then, 2 weeks ago I had wider cuts made arond the inital spot and had sentinel lymphnode biopcy done with full anesthesia, 2 lymphnodes removed, they were clean, so my initial stage 1B was confirmed, praise the God!
  
  In your case I wonder why Dr did not remove that large discolored mole at first visit? I'd would think one would prefer not to keep any suspisiuos spots anyway, so why not remove at first visit?
  
  George
- - January 27, 2017 at 5:44 pm
  - Quote
  UBContributor
  Participant
  I am 26 y.o male. Dx-ed mid Nov 2016, removed 4×6 mm mole with colorations. Then, 2 weeks ago I had wider cuts made arond the inital spot and had sentinel lymphnode biopcy done with full anesthesia, 2 lymphnodes removed, they were clean, so my initial stage 1B was confirmed, praise the God!
  
  In your case I wonder why Dr did not remove that large discolored mole at first visit? I'd would think one would prefer not to keep any suspisiuos spots anyway, so why not remove at first visit?
  
  George
  - January 27, 2017 at 6:06 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Hi George,
    
    Thank God indeed for your good news! I hope you did something fun to celebrate 🙂
    
    Sorry if my pictures led to any confusion – the doctor did perform the biopsy on the first visit. Unless you are suggesting he should have removed more than just the skin layer? In that case, I'm not sure. It was all so new to me and happened quite quickly that I didn't even know what to ask at the time. I have a follow-up appointment February 8th, but I am hoping to get a phone call with the results before then.
    
    Thanks again!
  - January 27, 2017 at 6:06 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Hi George,
    
    Thank God indeed for your good news! I hope you did something fun to celebrate 🙂
    
    Sorry if my pictures led to any confusion – the doctor did perform the biopsy on the first visit. Unless you are suggesting he should have removed more than just the skin layer? In that case, I'm not sure. It was all so new to me and happened quite quickly that I didn't even know what to ask at the time. I have a follow-up appointment February 8th, but I am hoping to get a phone call with the results before then.
    
    Thanks again!
  - January 27, 2017 at 6:06 pm
    
    Quote
    derek1013
    Participant
    
    Hi George,
    
    Thank God indeed for your good news! I hope you did something fun to celebrate 🙂
    
    Sorry if my pictures led to any confusion – the doctor did perform the biopsy on the first visit. Unless you are suggesting he should have removed more than just the skin layer? In that case, I'm not sure. It was all so new to me and happened quite quickly that I didn't even know what to ask at the time. I have a follow-up appointment February 8th, but I am hoping to get a phone call with the results before then.
    
    Thanks again!
- - January 27, 2017 at 5:44 pm
  - Quote
  UBContributor
  Participant
  I am 26 y.o male. Dx-ed mid Nov 2016, removed 4×6 mm mole with colorations. Then, 2 weeks ago I had wider cuts made arond the inital spot and had sentinel lymphnode biopcy done with full anesthesia, 2 lymphnodes removed, they were clean, so my initial stage 1B was confirmed, praise the God!
  
  In your case I wonder why Dr did not remove that large discolored mole at first visit? I'd would think one would prefer not to keep any suspisiuos spots anyway, so why not remove at first visit?
  
  George
- - January 28, 2017 at 5:43 am
  - Quote
  Marksa2570
  Participant
  Hi Derek,
  
  i too am relatively new here. There are a lot of realizations that come with being introduced to all of this. It's scary, the waiting is brutal and it made me really think about my life.
  
  The good news is there are a lot of success stories on here and many good people who provide support, compassion and information. For me it all seemed a little less concerning knowing there were other people who understood what I was going through.
  
  You will be in my thoughts!
  - January 29, 2017 at 4:32 am
    
    Quote
    Treadlightly
    Participant
    
    Hi Derek,
    
    I am hoping for everthing to come back negative for you.
    
    I can't explain why the stomach biopsy site is so dark. Perhaps it is just a dark scab? I have noticed that biopsy sites can remain very pink when they are well-covered, but it they are not, then they can form a dark scab. That could explain the difference between your two biopsy sites. I can't imagine that the doctor would not have gotten the full depth of the lesion…which is needed to determine the stage and the next steps of treatment…if it were to come back as positive for melanoma.
    
    In my case, the doctor was not able to get the entire surface area, because it was just too wide. My biopsy did come back as melanoma though, so then they did a "wide local excision" to get the rest of it, along with a margin of skin around it. In the end it was staged as a 2A Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (on the heel of my foot). That was back in 2010. I have been free of any symptoms of melanoma ever since.
    
    Like you, I was totally oblivious to melanoma. I never even Googled about it until I got a call the day after my biopsy was performed saying that the doctor wants to see me in his office the very next day. Then I was like…uh-oh…what might this be? Since it was on my foot…I thought it was in a safe spot. You always hear about the risks for sun-exposed areas of skin. I never knew it could happen on the sole of the foot.
    
    Good luck with everything! We are all rooting for you and will be here for you if you need us…but let's try very hard to think positive thoughts right now…ok?
    
    Best regards,
    Mark
  - January 29, 2017 at 4:32 am
    
    Quote
    Treadlightly
    Participant
    
    Hi Derek,
    
    I am hoping for everthing to come back negative for you.
    
    I can't explain why the stomach biopsy site is so dark. Perhaps it is just a dark scab? I have noticed that biopsy sites can remain very pink when they are well-covered, but it they are not, then they can form a dark scab. That could explain the difference between your two biopsy sites. I can't imagine that the doctor would not have gotten the full depth of the lesion…which is needed to determine the stage and the next steps of treatment…if it were to come back as positive for melanoma.
    
    In my case, the doctor was not able to get the entire surface area, because it was just too wide. My biopsy did come back as melanoma though, so then they did a "wide local excision" to get the rest of it, along with a margin of skin around it. In the end it was staged as a 2A Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (on the heel of my foot). That was back in 2010. I have been free of any symptoms of melanoma ever since.
    
    Like you, I was totally oblivious to melanoma. I never even Googled about it until I got a call the day after my biopsy was performed saying that the doctor wants to see me in his office the very next day. Then I was like…uh-oh…what might this be? Since it was on my foot…I thought it was in a safe spot. You always hear about the risks for sun-exposed areas of skin. I never knew it could happen on the sole of the foot.
    
    Good luck with everything! We are all rooting for you and will be here for you if you need us…but let's try very hard to think positive thoughts right now…ok?
    
    Best regards,
    Mark
  - January 29, 2017 at 4:32 am
    
    Quote
    Treadlightly
    Participant
    
    Hi Derek,
    
    I am hoping for everthing to come back negative for you.
    
    I can't explain why the stomach biopsy site is so dark. Perhaps it is just a dark scab? I have noticed that biopsy sites can remain very pink when they are well-covered, but it they are not, then they can form a dark scab. That could explain the difference between your two biopsy sites. I can't imagine that the doctor would not have gotten the full depth of the lesion…which is needed to determine the stage and the next steps of treatment…if it were to come back as positive for melanoma.
    
    In my case, the doctor was not able to get the entire surface area, because it was just too wide. My biopsy did come back as melanoma though, so then they did a "wide local excision" to get the rest of it, along with a margin of skin around it. In the end it was staged as a 2A Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (on the heel of my foot). That was back in 2010. I have been free of any symptoms of melanoma ever since.
    
    Like you, I was totally oblivious to melanoma. I never even Googled about it until I got a call the day after my biopsy was performed saying that the doctor wants to see me in his office the very next day. Then I was like…uh-oh…what might this be? Since it was on my foot…I thought it was in a safe spot. You always hear about the risks for sun-exposed areas of skin. I never knew it could happen on the sole of the foot.
    
    Good luck with everything! We are all rooting for you and will be here for you if you need us…but let's try very hard to think positive thoughts right now…ok?
    
    Best regards,
    Mark
- - January 28, 2017 at 5:43 am
  - Quote
  Marksa2570
  Participant
  Hi Derek,
  
  i too am relatively new here. There are a lot of realizations that come with being introduced to all of this. It's scary, the waiting is brutal and it made me really think about my life.
  
  The good news is there are a lot of success stories on here and many good people who provide support, compassion and information. For me it all seemed a little less concerning knowing there were other people who understood what I was going through.
  
  You will be in my thoughts!
- - January 28, 2017 at 5:43 am
  - Quote
  Marksa2570
  Participant
  Hi Derek,
  
  i too am relatively new here. There are a lot of realizations that come with being introduced to all of this. It's scary, the waiting is brutal and it made me really think about my life.
  
  The good news is there are a lot of success stories on here and many good people who provide support, compassion and information. For me it all seemed a little less concerning knowing there were other people who understood what I was going through.
  
  You will be in my thoughts!
- - January 31, 2017 at 1:02 pm
  - Quote
  stars
  Participant
  You may find that your pathology shows nothing unusual – please don't worry about melanoma until you have to. My only advice is to never accept a shave biopsy, the gold standard for suspected melanoma is a proper excision (yes, a scar and stitches) but this is the way to go. Shaves can dissect the base of hte melanoma making it impossible to judge depth. Your biopsy sites look so small. I'd be surprised if they were complete, which means you need to get more skin removed just to be sure that the whole mole is removed. Go for proper excisional biopsies if at all possible.
- - January 31, 2017 at 1:02 pm
  - Quote
  stars
  Participant
  You may find that your pathology shows nothing unusual – please don't worry about melanoma until you have to. My only advice is to never accept a shave biopsy, the gold standard for suspected melanoma is a proper excision (yes, a scar and stitches) but this is the way to go. Shaves can dissect the base of hte melanoma making it impossible to judge depth. Your biopsy sites look so small. I'd be surprised if they were complete, which means you need to get more skin removed just to be sure that the whole mole is removed. Go for proper excisional biopsies if at all possible.
- - January 31, 2017 at 1:02 pm
  - Quote
  stars
  Participant
  You may find that your pathology shows nothing unusual – please don't worry about melanoma until you have to. My only advice is to never accept a shave biopsy, the gold standard for suspected melanoma is a proper excision (yes, a scar and stitches) but this is the way to go. Shaves can dissect the base of hte melanoma making it impossible to judge depth. Your biopsy sites look so small. I'd be surprised if they were complete, which means you need to get more skin removed just to be sure that the whole mole is removed. Go for proper excisional biopsies if at all possible.