biopsy of two moles
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biopsy of two moles

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › biopsy of two moles

  • Post
    • April 13, 2014 at 7:43 am
    scroggins
    Participant

      Hello everyone,

      I just discovered this forum while searching for information about melanoma.  It's great to see such a supportive community, and I wish everyone the best with their fight.

      I just had two suspicious moles excised and sent for biopsy, and I was hoping someone here could offer their opinion on my case, as it is slightly abnormal.  The condensed version is that I'm an American living in Oman, which is obviously a region where they aren't quite as familiar with melanoma as in the west.  As a result, it was a bit challenging to find a doctor who was semi-knowledgeable and knew the correct procedure to follow.

      I first noticed changes in a mole on my shoulder about four weeks ago, but because of the lack of familiarity with the potential dangers of melanoma, it was not removed until today.  They removed a second mole at the same time which has also been changing (very slowly) for the last 4-5 months.  The biopsy results should be available after about ten days.

      Given the significant wait between when I first noticed the changes and the excision, do you think it is okay to wait an additional ten days for the biopsy results without doing any further testing of any sort?  

      Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts!

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 13, 2014 at 2:18 pm
        itzmerox
        Participant

          Take a breath.  The initial biopsy and the wait can be stressful but keep in mind that stress is detrimental to your health.  There is no further treatment they can provide until they have a diagnosis.  I was told that the two week wait for my biopsy results wouldnt make a difference.  I did end up with melanoma and had the area removed (on my right bicep) as well as a sentinel node biopsy.  I just had my stitches removed and the surgeon told me that although he got it all and the node was clean, he wants me to see an oncologist because I had three different types of skin cancer in three different areas.  Take a breath….it will be ok.  You would be amazed at what a positive attitude and a sense of calm can do for your health. 

          • April 13, 2014 at 2:18 pm
          itzmerox
          Participant

            Take a breath.  The initial biopsy and the wait can be stressful but keep in mind that stress is detrimental to your health.  There is no further treatment they can provide until they have a diagnosis.  I was told that the two week wait for my biopsy results wouldnt make a difference.  I did end up with melanoma and had the area removed (on my right bicep) as well as a sentinel node biopsy.  I just had my stitches removed and the surgeon told me that although he got it all and the node was clean, he wants me to see an oncologist because I had three different types of skin cancer in three different areas.  Take a breath….it will be ok.  You would be amazed at what a positive attitude and a sense of calm can do for your health. 

            • April 13, 2014 at 2:18 pm
            itzmerox
            Participant

              Take a breath.  The initial biopsy and the wait can be stressful but keep in mind that stress is detrimental to your health.  There is no further treatment they can provide until they have a diagnosis.  I was told that the two week wait for my biopsy results wouldnt make a difference.  I did end up with melanoma and had the area removed (on my right bicep) as well as a sentinel node biopsy.  I just had my stitches removed and the surgeon told me that although he got it all and the node was clean, he wants me to see an oncologist because I had three different types of skin cancer in three different areas.  Take a breath….it will be ok.  You would be amazed at what a positive attitude and a sense of calm can do for your health. 

                • April 13, 2014 at 3:22 pm
                scroggins
                Participant

                  Thank you, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.  I hope in your case they managed to remove everything – it sounds like they did.

                  You're right, of course about the importance of a positive attitude.  In my case it's just a little bit frustrating (and frightening) because the doctors here seem to know so little about melanoma.  Guess there's nothing to do now but wait…

                  • April 13, 2014 at 3:22 pm
                  scroggins
                  Participant

                    Thank you, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.  I hope in your case they managed to remove everything – it sounds like they did.

                    You're right, of course about the importance of a positive attitude.  In my case it's just a little bit frustrating (and frightening) because the doctors here seem to know so little about melanoma.  Guess there's nothing to do now but wait…

                    • April 13, 2014 at 3:22 pm
                    scroggins
                    Participant

                      Thank you, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.  I hope in your case they managed to remove everything – it sounds like they did.

                      You're right, of course about the importance of a positive attitude.  In my case it's just a little bit frustrating (and frightening) because the doctors here seem to know so little about melanoma.  Guess there's nothing to do now but wait…

                    • April 13, 2014 at 6:34 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      Until they get the results of the pathology, there IS no other testing they can do.  These could easily be atypical moles and NOT melanoma.  I've had changing moles not be melanoma.  The wait is mentally difficult, but makes no difference in outcome.  Even if either were to be melanoma, most types tend to grow quite slowly so months make little difference in outcome.  Waiting sucks – we all know that.  But don't start jumping to any conclusions until you have a diagnosis.

                      • April 13, 2014 at 6:34 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Until they get the results of the pathology, there IS no other testing they can do.  These could easily be atypical moles and NOT melanoma.  I've had changing moles not be melanoma.  The wait is mentally difficult, but makes no difference in outcome.  Even if either were to be melanoma, most types tend to grow quite slowly so months make little difference in outcome.  Waiting sucks – we all know that.  But don't start jumping to any conclusions until you have a diagnosis.

                        • April 13, 2014 at 6:34 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Until they get the results of the pathology, there IS no other testing they can do.  These could easily be atypical moles and NOT melanoma.  I've had changing moles not be melanoma.  The wait is mentally difficult, but makes no difference in outcome.  Even if either were to be melanoma, most types tend to grow quite slowly so months make little difference in outcome.  Waiting sucks – we all know that.  But don't start jumping to any conclusions until you have a diagnosis.

                            • April 14, 2014 at 10:27 am
                            scroggins
                            Participant

                              Thanks you Janner, I appreciate the reassuring words.  It's hard to gauge just how atypical these moles actually were.  The first two doctors I saw just laughed at my concern; the third immediately ordered excision and biopsy.

                              • April 14, 2014 at 10:27 am
                              scroggins
                              Participant

                                Thanks you Janner, I appreciate the reassuring words.  It's hard to gauge just how atypical these moles actually were.  The first two doctors I saw just laughed at my concern; the third immediately ordered excision and biopsy.

                                • April 14, 2014 at 10:27 am
                                scroggins
                                Participant

                                  Thanks you Janner, I appreciate the reassuring words.  It's hard to gauge just how atypical these moles actually were.  The first two doctors I saw just laughed at my concern; the third immediately ordered excision and biopsy.

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