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Confused about pathology results
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Confused about pathology results

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Confused about pathology results

  • Post
    • July 20, 2017 at 8:23 pm
    Photopassion
    Participant
      I just received my pathology results from a mole that I had biopsied. The mole in question used to be a smallish flat mole that was uniform in color. I thought it randomly appeared a few years ago but wasn’t really sure. Recently, while I was pregnant, I noticed a small part of the mole had changed and was now a dark brown that didn’t match the rest of the mole. I was worried about the change and decided to have it biopsied.

      Today the PA called me back to say that it was a benign Spitz nevus but they recommended removing it with 2 mm margins to be safe. She didn’t give me any other details and I wasn’t really prepared with questions.

      After researching a bit,I read that it’s very difficult to distinguish between a Spitz nevi and melanoma. I also read that they mainly occur in children (I’m 31). The pictures online really look nothing like my mole either.

      Has anyone else received this diagnosis or have any thoughts? It doesn’t seem right to me so I am requesting the pathology report and a second opinion. It’s really freaking me out and I’m not really sure what to think. If it’s not very deep then I guess getting the excision would be good if it were actually a melanoma. Ugh, I really thought this part would be straightforward 🙁

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        • July 21, 2017 at 5:51 pm
        sister of patient
        Participant

          Hi PhotoP – for your own piece of mind, I would say do whatever you need to, to satisfy yourself that you're OK!! Second opinions are always good and if that opinion concurs with the first, if it was me, I'd go ahead and have the WLE just to be sure. At least it's not really invasive and if represents the last time you'll ever have to concern yourself with such things, then great!!! Wishing you the best!

          Barb

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