Can’t rule out melanoma
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Can’t rule out melanoma

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Can’t rule out melanoma

  • Post
    • July 29, 2012 at 11:40 pm
    1twomom
    Participant

      I recently had a very dark mole removed. I have lots of moles and this one definitley looked different. About the size of pencil eraser. I had punch biopsy and dr took margins and I received 4 stitches. She also talked about plaque. She called one week later and said they could not rule out melanoma so they are sending it on to expert in California. Wondering how worried should I be? Dr in California is the worlds leading authority on melanoma. Is this just for liability? Not sure what to think.

      I recently had a very dark mole removed. I have lots of moles and this one definitley looked different. About the size of pencil eraser. I had punch biopsy and dr took margins and I received 4 stitches. She also talked about plaque. She called one week later and said they could not rule out melanoma so they are sending it on to expert in California. Wondering how worried should I be? Dr in California is the worlds leading authority on melanoma. Is this just for liability? Not sure what to think.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 29, 2012 at 11:55 pm
        natasha
        Participant

          Hi! I was told the same after my biopsy – they cannot rule oit melanoma  and sent it for second opinion pathology.

          Second pathology just said the same – they cannot rule out melanoma. So I had  wide excision and I have follow ups in hospital ,but still not sure – is it melanoma that I had ?

          Sometimes it is difficult for them to say is it just severely atypical or is it early melanoma.

          I think you need to wait for results .But ,I know ,this time is ver difficult.

          If they just cannot rule out melanoma ,so  I don't think it is something very serious .If it is deep melanoma ,it cannot be 2 opinions.

            • July 30, 2012 at 12:01 am
            1twomom
            Participant

              Thanks so much! It is just hard to know what to think! My Dr. told me to not lose sleep over it yet  but it is hard. I guess it is good that they could not say for sure it was. But wondering if they have serious concerns? They are sending it to #1 pathologist. I guess i will hear someting soon. thanks again!

              • July 30, 2012 at 12:04 am
              natasha
              Participant

                So you said Doc called you 1 week after/So first pathology has been done? And it will be 2nd in California???

                • July 30, 2012 at 12:04 am
                natasha
                Participant

                  So you said Doc called you 1 week after/So first pathology has been done? And it will be 2nd in California???

                  • July 30, 2012 at 12:09 am
                  1twomom
                  Participant

                    yes, they could not rule out after first pathology so now on to Raymond Barnhill MD in California. I think they must be thinking something isn't right but do not know if this is just for liability. But, surely there are other dermatopatholgists around to look, not sure why it has to go to california from southeast? 

                    • July 30, 2012 at 12:09 am
                    1twomom
                    Participant

                      yes, they could not rule out after first pathology so now on to Raymond Barnhill MD in California. I think they must be thinking something isn't right but do not know if this is just for liability. But, surely there are other dermatopatholgists around to look, not sure why it has to go to california from southeast? 

                      • July 30, 2012 at 12:13 am
                      natasha
                      Participant

                        I would ask them to give first pathology results. What does it say / Breslow? Mitotic? Clark?

                        Ask your Doc to answer this questions.

                        • July 30, 2012 at 12:13 am
                        natasha
                        Participant

                          I would ask them to give first pathology results. What does it say / Breslow? Mitotic? Clark?

                          Ask your Doc to answer this questions.

                          • July 30, 2012 at 12:19 am
                          1twomom
                          Participant

                            I should have asked questions when I hade the stitches removed but it was kind of crazy. My 12 year old daughter also had apt that day for a few suspicious moles. I was hoping that dr would have said a little something about it but she didn't. I did have to pay $225 made out to Dr in California for second opinion. He is out of network and I guess sometimes has not been paid so they wanted the $ upfront. So…do not know what first pathology said. Only that they could not say it wasn't melanoma.

                            • July 30, 2012 at 12:19 am
                            1twomom
                            Participant

                              I should have asked questions when I hade the stitches removed but it was kind of crazy. My 12 year old daughter also had apt that day for a few suspicious moles. I was hoping that dr would have said a little something about it but she didn't. I did have to pay $225 made out to Dr in California for second opinion. He is out of network and I guess sometimes has not been paid so they wanted the $ upfront. So…do not know what first pathology said. Only that they could not say it wasn't melanoma.

                              • July 30, 2012 at 12:23 am
                              natasha
                              Participant

                                I reallly think you better call them or contact somehow to find out all characteristics.Breslow ,Clark ,Mitotic ,ulceration ,growth phase.

                                They MUST give all information to you ,if pathology has been done.

                                • July 30, 2012 at 12:23 am
                                natasha
                                Participant

                                  I reallly think you better call them or contact somehow to find out all characteristics.Breslow ,Clark ,Mitotic ,ulceration ,growth phase.

                                  They MUST give all information to you ,if pathology has been done.

                                  • July 30, 2012 at 12:41 am
                                  1twomom
                                  Participant

                                    thank you. I think I will hear something this week from Dr in California. I was really just wondering if anyone had been told melanoma could not be ruled out and then it came back bad?  I am hopeful all will be OK. Thank you for your time. I will be sure to update when I get results.

                                    • July 30, 2012 at 12:41 am
                                    1twomom
                                    Participant

                                      thank you. I think I will hear something this week from Dr in California. I was really just wondering if anyone had been told melanoma could not be ruled out and then it came back bad?  I am hopeful all will be OK. Thank you for your time. I will be sure to update when I get results.

                                      • July 30, 2012 at 12:49 am
                                      natasha
                                      Participant

                                        As in my situation , first pathology had typing mistake ,and it was said 2mm instead of 0.2 mm Breslow 🙂

                                        Doctor who printed out report for me ,apologised million times for such a sad mistake.

                                        But in fact both pathologysts have agrred they cannot rule out melanoma ,but not sure it was melanoma:)

                                        I hope you will be fine and ,again ,if they doubting ,it is high possibilty of just severely atypical , so it means it cannot metastaze or ,at worst ,it will be very thin melanoma ,even in situ ,which has 100% survival rates !!!!!

                                        Try do not worry .But ,unfortenately ,waiting time was most dificult for me. It will be better with time ,whatever your results will be.

                                        Keep updating

                                        • July 30, 2012 at 12:49 am
                                        natasha
                                        Participant

                                          As in my situation , first pathology had typing mistake ,and it was said 2mm instead of 0.2 mm Breslow 🙂

                                          Doctor who printed out report for me ,apologised million times for such a sad mistake.

                                          But in fact both pathologysts have agrred they cannot rule out melanoma ,but not sure it was melanoma:)

                                          I hope you will be fine and ,again ,if they doubting ,it is high possibilty of just severely atypical , so it means it cannot metastaze or ,at worst ,it will be very thin melanoma ,even in situ ,which has 100% survival rates !!!!!

                                          Try do not worry .But ,unfortenately ,waiting time was most dificult for me. It will be better with time ,whatever your results will be.

                                          Keep updating

                                          • July 30, 2012 at 1:58 am
                                          1twomom
                                          Participant

                                            thank you> Will update as soon as i hear something

                                            • July 30, 2012 at 1:58 am
                                            1twomom
                                            Participant

                                              thank you> Will update as soon as i hear something

                                              • July 30, 2012 at 1:58 am
                                              1twomom
                                              Participant

                                                thank you> Will update as soon as i hear something

                                                • July 30, 2012 at 12:49 am
                                                natasha
                                                Participant

                                                  As in my situation , first pathology had typing mistake ,and it was said 2mm instead of 0.2 mm Breslow 🙂

                                                  Doctor who printed out report for me ,apologised million times for such a sad mistake.

                                                  But in fact both pathologysts have agrred they cannot rule out melanoma ,but not sure it was melanoma:)

                                                  I hope you will be fine and ,again ,if they doubting ,it is high possibilty of just severely atypical , so it means it cannot metastaze or ,at worst ,it will be very thin melanoma ,even in situ ,which has 100% survival rates !!!!!

                                                  Try do not worry .But ,unfortenately ,waiting time was most dificult for me. It will be better with time ,whatever your results will be.

                                                  Keep updating

                                                  • July 30, 2012 at 12:41 am
                                                  1twomom
                                                  Participant

                                                    thank you. I think I will hear something this week from Dr in California. I was really just wondering if anyone had been told melanoma could not be ruled out and then it came back bad?  I am hopeful all will be OK. Thank you for your time. I will be sure to update when I get results.

                                                    • July 30, 2012 at 12:23 am
                                                    natasha
                                                    Participant

                                                      I reallly think you better call them or contact somehow to find out all characteristics.Breslow ,Clark ,Mitotic ,ulceration ,growth phase.

                                                      They MUST give all information to you ,if pathology has been done.

                                                      • July 30, 2012 at 12:19 am
                                                      1twomom
                                                      Participant

                                                        I should have asked questions when I hade the stitches removed but it was kind of crazy. My 12 year old daughter also had apt that day for a few suspicious moles. I was hoping that dr would have said a little something about it but she didn't. I did have to pay $225 made out to Dr in California for second opinion. He is out of network and I guess sometimes has not been paid so they wanted the $ upfront. So…do not know what first pathology said. Only that they could not say it wasn't melanoma.

                                                        • July 30, 2012 at 12:13 am
                                                        natasha
                                                        Participant

                                                          I would ask them to give first pathology results. What does it say / Breslow? Mitotic? Clark?

                                                          Ask your Doc to answer this questions.

                                                          • July 30, 2012 at 12:09 am
                                                          1twomom
                                                          Participant

                                                            yes, they could not rule out after first pathology so now on to Raymond Barnhill MD in California. I think they must be thinking something isn't right but do not know if this is just for liability. But, surely there are other dermatopatholgists around to look, not sure why it has to go to california from southeast? 

                                                            • July 30, 2012 at 12:04 am
                                                            natasha
                                                            Participant

                                                              So you said Doc called you 1 week after/So first pathology has been done? And it will be 2nd in California???

                                                              • July 30, 2012 at 12:01 am
                                                              1twomom
                                                              Participant

                                                                Thanks so much! It is just hard to know what to think! My Dr. told me to not lose sleep over it yet  but it is hard. I guess it is good that they could not say for sure it was. But wondering if they have serious concerns? They are sending it to #1 pathologist. I guess i will hear someting soon. thanks again!

                                                                • July 30, 2012 at 12:01 am
                                                                1twomom
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Thanks so much! It is just hard to know what to think! My Dr. told me to not lose sleep over it yet  but it is hard. I guess it is good that they could not say for sure it was. But wondering if they have serious concerns? They are sending it to #1 pathologist. I guess i will hear someting soon. thanks again!

                                                                • July 29, 2012 at 11:55 pm
                                                                natasha
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Hi! I was told the same after my biopsy – they cannot rule oit melanoma  and sent it for second opinion pathology.

                                                                  Second pathology just said the same – they cannot rule out melanoma. So I had  wide excision and I have follow ups in hospital ,but still not sure – is it melanoma that I had ?

                                                                  Sometimes it is difficult for them to say is it just severely atypical or is it early melanoma.

                                                                  I think you need to wait for results .But ,I know ,this time is ver difficult.

                                                                  If they just cannot rule out melanoma ,so  I don't think it is something very serious .If it is deep melanoma ,it cannot be 2 opinions.

                                                                  • July 29, 2012 at 11:55 pm
                                                                  natasha
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    Hi! I was told the same after my biopsy – they cannot rule oit melanoma  and sent it for second opinion pathology.

                                                                    Second pathology just said the same – they cannot rule out melanoma. So I had  wide excision and I have follow ups in hospital ,but still not sure – is it melanoma that I had ?

                                                                    Sometimes it is difficult for them to say is it just severely atypical or is it early melanoma.

                                                                    I think you need to wait for results .But ,I know ,this time is ver difficult.

                                                                    If they just cannot rule out melanoma ,so  I don't think it is something very serious .If it is deep melanoma ,it cannot be 2 opinions.

                                                                    • July 30, 2012 at 3:11 am
                                                                    Bruce Davis
                                                                    Participant
                                                                      In my case my samples could not be figured out by the local pathologists, John Hopkins, or the Mayo clinic. It was finally sent to a lab in California that determines the DNA of the sample and we were told there was a 71% chance that it was melanoma, which must be true because it is responding very well to medicine used for melanoma. I am very fortunate to have excellent insurance that paid for the study that I understand was very expensive.

                                                                      Bruce

                                                                      • July 30, 2012 at 3:11 am
                                                                      Bruce Davis
                                                                      Participant
                                                                        In my case my samples could not be figured out by the local pathologists, John Hopkins, or the Mayo clinic. It was finally sent to a lab in California that determines the DNA of the sample and we were told there was a 71% chance that it was melanoma, which must be true because it is responding very well to medicine used for melanoma. I am very fortunate to have excellent insurance that paid for the study that I understand was very expensive.

                                                                        Bruce

                                                                          • July 30, 2012 at 7:47 pm
                                                                          1twomom
                                                                          Participant

                                                                            Wow. That is interesting. I hope your treatment goes well. In my case, hopefully they will be able to tell me it is not melanoma. Unfortunately, my insurance is not so good.

                                                                            Best of luck to you.

                                                                            • July 30, 2012 at 7:47 pm
                                                                            1twomom
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Wow. That is interesting. I hope your treatment goes well. In my case, hopefully they will be able to tell me it is not melanoma. Unfortunately, my insurance is not so good.

                                                                              Best of luck to you.

                                                                              • August 5, 2012 at 2:01 am
                                                                              1twomom
                                                                              Participant

                                                                                So good news. Expert in California seems to have ruled out melanoma but I still have to have further excision. Still do not know a lot but am going to get copies of first two pathology reports and I guess i will have third report after furhter excision. Thank you for all of the support. Praying for all afflicted with this disease.

                                                                                • August 5, 2012 at 2:01 am
                                                                                1twomom
                                                                                Participant

                                                                                  So good news. Expert in California seems to have ruled out melanoma but I still have to have further excision. Still do not know a lot but am going to get copies of first two pathology reports and I guess i will have third report after furhter excision. Thank you for all of the support. Praying for all afflicted with this disease.

                                                                                  • August 5, 2012 at 2:01 am
                                                                                  1twomom
                                                                                  Participant

                                                                                    So good news. Expert in California seems to have ruled out melanoma but I still have to have further excision. Still do not know a lot but am going to get copies of first two pathology reports and I guess i will have third report after furhter excision. Thank you for all of the support. Praying for all afflicted with this disease.

                                                                                    • July 30, 2012 at 7:47 pm
                                                                                    1twomom
                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                      Wow. That is interesting. I hope your treatment goes well. In my case, hopefully they will be able to tell me it is not melanoma. Unfortunately, my insurance is not so good.

                                                                                      Best of luck to you.

                                                                                    • July 30, 2012 at 3:11 am
                                                                                    Bruce Davis
                                                                                    Participant
                                                                                      In my case my samples could not be figured out by the local pathologists, John Hopkins, or the Mayo clinic. It was finally sent to a lab in California that determines the DNA of the sample and we were told there was a 71% chance that it was melanoma, which must be true because it is responding very well to medicine used for melanoma. I am very fortunate to have excellent insurance that paid for the study that I understand was very expensive.

                                                                                      Bruce

                                                                                  Viewing 5 reply threads

                                                                                  Tagged: 

                                                                                  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                                                                  About the MRF Patient Forum

                                                                                  The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                                                                  The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.