› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Should I find a new dermatologist? New here.
- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 years ago by
RichInLife2.
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- May 20, 2019 at 2:49 am
Hi! I will do my best to keep this relatively short. I’m a big talker. I requested to see a dermatologist to look over my plethora of moles and earlier this month I was seen. I’ve had this done by other dermatologists and they’ve always had me undress and check one body section at a time. This doctor had me stay dressed and just lifted me shirt to look at my back. The majority of my moles are there but I have them all over here and there. I had to personally show him this pinkish colored spot under my baby toe. After the brief check he said he was suspicious of two on my back, one of which I was concerned with. He cut them out that same appointment. He cut pretty deep and cut a few millimeters away from the moles. They were sent away to be tested. The two weeks I had to wait were a pain in the butt. The large one was right on my spine and got really red so I was prescribed an antibiotic which I had to use the whole two weeks so they needed to be bandaged the whole time. Ugh. So now I’m back to have the stitches removed. He almost walked out without even telling me what the outcome was. I asked and he said they came back abnormal and were dysplastic nevus with moderate atypia.Now I know they are benign but I like to learn all I can when I get a new diagnosis as I’ve had a few. After giving me the name he said it is not melanoma but melanoma can be really quick and being that I have so many moles, he wants me to come back in three months. Sure thing! I will definitely be looked at again in 3 months but should it be by him? I don’t feel like prior to removing the two that he was very thorough or that he cared much. Like the one on the bottom of my toe I’ve had for years but I never thought it was a mole. I’ve always been curious to what it was and have googled a lot and learned moles on the bottoms of feet are not a good thing to have. So what do y’all think? Should I stick with him or find someone else?
Lastly, and I’m so sorry I lied this isn’t very short….that’s typical of me. So having dysplastic nevus atypia nevus, being fair skinned light hair and eyes etc…My risk goes up. Ok. What I don’t get is I read melanoma can grow in a totally new spot, it doesn’t have to be in a mole you already have. So why remove them at all unless they will turn into melanoma. Is that why they removed mine? Cause if I left them they would have or could have? Wouldn’t they be called precancerous then? Sorry if that’s a silly question. I apologize for my novel. I don’t have anyone to really talk to about this. Have a good day! And thank you!
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- May 21, 2019 at 1:50 am
I am not the best for the pathology questions, but it is my understanding that the type of atypical results you have increase the risk of the moles becoming cancerous, but it doesn’t indicate they will become cancerous.
What type of appointment did you make? Was it specifically for moles you were concerned about or for a full body check? Ask the office why didn’t they do a full body check. Maybe you have to schedule it.-
- May 21, 2019 at 11:27 am
Whenever I make an appointment with a dermatologist one of the first things they ask: Is this for a full body check? That’s because a full body check requires a longer period of time scheduled for the doctor’s time.I would go to a different dermatologist because I need to be able to trust them. That’s important. You deserve a doctor that doesn’t rush. Call around and ask how much time is blocked off for a full body scan.
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- May 21, 2019 at 12:18 pm
That’s about my understanding too. I asked my doctor for a referral to have a body check of all the moles. I hope now that he has found something he will be more thorough. He did have concern in his voice when he told me what they were, but tried to reassure me. Thanks.
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- May 21, 2019 at 6:32 pm
I have a low opinion of most dermatologists, but I’ve heard there are some good ones out there. Since you have a “plethora of moles” (sounds kind of like an “exaltation of larks ;), I would look for one who does mole mapping. The doctor you describe sounds like a bit of a jerk. Look for another dermatologist, IMHO.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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