Daughter and Botched Biopsy
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Daughter and Botched Biopsy

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Daughter and Botched Biopsy

  • Post
    • April 16, 2013 at 1:40 pm
    DianaB
    Participant

      Hi,



      My 25-year old daughter who has a history of tanning and tanning booths, went in approximately one year ago to have a new mole on the back of her calf checked. The Dr. said it didn't need to be biopsied after viewing it through a lens.

      Several weeks ago, which is one year later, she decided to have it looked at again by a different Dr., as it was changing. It was growing and had a ring around it. Unfortunately, the Dr. she saw is 83 years old and according to the Pathology report, he botched the shave biopsy.

      The report reads, Diagnosis – Portion of Melanocytic Neoplasm with Unusual Features. Note: I cannot render a precise diagnosis as the biopsy is extremely superficial and narrow and important characteristics such as overall breadth and symmetry cannot be identified. I slightly favor these changes represent an irritated and unusual nevus. Nevertheless, there is confluence of junctional melanocytes and a portion of a melanoma could produce such findings. Given this, I recommend the lesion be excised in its entirety to evaluate important characteristics such as overall symmetry, breadth and other morphologic characteristics of the melanocytic neoplasm. Drs. xxxx and xxxx agree.

      Microscopic Description: Sections contain a narrow and superficial shave biopsy. There is a proliferation of melanocytes at the dermal-epidermal junction which is slightly confluent. There are nests of similar-appearing cells in the underlying dermis where there is stromal alteration including fibrosis. Cytologically the melanocytes and nevus cells contain slight nuclear hyperchromasia.

      Obviously, I am just sick about this. She has an appointment with yet another Dr. tomorrow to have the 2nd recommended biopsy done. Can anyone help me interpret this pathology report? Thanks so much, Diana

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 16, 2013 at 1:54 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          They are not saying this is melanoma.  They are saying the sample side is too small to make any meaningful determination.  It most likely is "an irritated nevus".  But the entire lesion should be excised to rule out the worst case scenario.  Please understand that they are always going to err on the side of caution to cover themselves but don't jump to conclusions.  I'd recommend your daughter go to a good dermatologist and have the entire mole removed.  Then you go from there.  Hopefully, your daughter will learn that tanning beds are not the way to go as they increase the risk of developing melanoma significantly.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

          • April 16, 2013 at 1:54 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            They are not saying this is melanoma.  They are saying the sample side is too small to make any meaningful determination.  It most likely is "an irritated nevus".  But the entire lesion should be excised to rule out the worst case scenario.  Please understand that they are always going to err on the side of caution to cover themselves but don't jump to conclusions.  I'd recommend your daughter go to a good dermatologist and have the entire mole removed.  Then you go from there.  Hopefully, your daughter will learn that tanning beds are not the way to go as they increase the risk of developing melanoma significantly.

            Best wishes,

            Janner

            • April 16, 2013 at 1:54 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              They are not saying this is melanoma.  They are saying the sample side is too small to make any meaningful determination.  It most likely is "an irritated nevus".  But the entire lesion should be excised to rule out the worst case scenario.  Please understand that they are always going to err on the side of caution to cover themselves but don't jump to conclusions.  I'd recommend your daughter go to a good dermatologist and have the entire mole removed.  Then you go from there.  Hopefully, your daughter will learn that tanning beds are not the way to go as they increase the risk of developing melanoma significantly.

              Best wishes,

              Janner

                • April 16, 2013 at 3:25 pm
                DianaB
                Participant

                  Janner, thanks for your quick response. I understand this could go either way, and as I said, she is going in tomorrow to have the 2nd biopsy done by a different and hopefully, more reputable doctor.

                  I wish that I could say I am not fearful. There are some concerns, though. The mole had developed a "ring" around it and was changing, which unfortunately, was not seen in the biopsy due to the poor sample. Trying to remain calm, but am definitely fearful.

                  Thanks again

                  • April 16, 2013 at 3:25 pm
                  DianaB
                  Participant

                    Janner, thanks for your quick response. I understand this could go either way, and as I said, she is going in tomorrow to have the 2nd biopsy done by a different and hopefully, more reputable doctor.

                    I wish that I could say I am not fearful. There are some concerns, though. The mole had developed a "ring" around it and was changing, which unfortunately, was not seen in the biopsy due to the poor sample. Trying to remain calm, but am definitely fearful.

                    Thanks again

                    • April 16, 2013 at 3:25 pm
                    DianaB
                    Participant

                      Janner, thanks for your quick response. I understand this could go either way, and as I said, she is going in tomorrow to have the 2nd biopsy done by a different and hopefully, more reputable doctor.

                      I wish that I could say I am not fearful. There are some concerns, though. The mole had developed a "ring" around it and was changing, which unfortunately, was not seen in the biopsy due to the poor sample. Trying to remain calm, but am definitely fearful.

                      Thanks again

                      • April 16, 2013 at 4:47 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        The ring or "halo nevus" could be just fine.  It could be a normal life cycle of a mole regressing or just being reabsorbed by the body.  That is a natural phenomenom.  Better to have removed given the circumstances but again, no reason to worry until you get pathology that really says this is a problem.

                        • April 16, 2013 at 4:47 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          The ring or "halo nevus" could be just fine.  It could be a normal life cycle of a mole regressing or just being reabsorbed by the body.  That is a natural phenomenom.  Better to have removed given the circumstances but again, no reason to worry until you get pathology that really says this is a problem.

                          • April 16, 2013 at 4:47 pm
                          Janner
                          Participant

                            The ring or "halo nevus" could be just fine.  It could be a normal life cycle of a mole regressing or just being reabsorbed by the body.  That is a natural phenomenom.  Better to have removed given the circumstances but again, no reason to worry until you get pathology that really says this is a problem.

                          • April 17, 2013 at 2:14 am
                          Charlie S
                          Participant

                            All of that aside, move ahead rather than dwelling on the past,  Get someone to "excise" the whole thing and go from there.

                            As mentioned, all it means right now is there was not enough tissue to offer a solid diagnosis. Nothing more. 

                            Not the end of the world, but take it as a lesson learned and get the whole enchilada removed.  Dwelling on the past serves no usefull purpose other than to learn for the future.  Good excision=good biopsy.  That is what you want looking forward.

                            Put the rest behind you.

                            Cheers,

                            Charlie S

                            • April 17, 2013 at 2:14 am
                            Charlie S
                            Participant

                              All of that aside, move ahead rather than dwelling on the past,  Get someone to "excise" the whole thing and go from there.

                              As mentioned, all it means right now is there was not enough tissue to offer a solid diagnosis. Nothing more. 

                              Not the end of the world, but take it as a lesson learned and get the whole enchilada removed.  Dwelling on the past serves no usefull purpose other than to learn for the future.  Good excision=good biopsy.  That is what you want looking forward.

                              Put the rest behind you.

                              Cheers,

                              Charlie S

                              • April 17, 2013 at 2:14 am
                              Charlie S
                              Participant

                                All of that aside, move ahead rather than dwelling on the past,  Get someone to "excise" the whole thing and go from there.

                                As mentioned, all it means right now is there was not enough tissue to offer a solid diagnosis. Nothing more. 

                                Not the end of the world, but take it as a lesson learned and get the whole enchilada removed.  Dwelling on the past serves no usefull purpose other than to learn for the future.  Good excision=good biopsy.  That is what you want looking forward.

                                Put the rest behind you.

                                Cheers,

                                Charlie S

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