Biopsy Question

Wow, we must be on the same management path. I was also diagnosed in June with my WLE (1a), and yesterday went for my first quarterly check up with melanoma specialist, and had a small problematic mole removed from my left thigh via punch biopsy. I was told to keep it covered for 48 hours, then start daily wound care. Anyway, I don’t have an answer to your question, but look forward to hearing from others who have experience with this.

To my knowledge left over pigmentation is not a sign of melanoma. I have one on my back that was removed and has completely repigmented but the biopsy was regular old compound nevus. My doc said sometimes they see that with really old moles. I’d had that one as long as I could remember.

You should be fine Amber, a lil ooze aint gunna hurt ya, like Bill said, we as patients can Speak Up before procedures are done and request another type, and to add to what Bill was saying, my surgical Oncologist told me concerning the tumor on my side (baseball size) shed rather just take it out completely (WLE) then biopsy it, she went on to say, needle, punch bios can cause tumor disturbance and its Cells can possibly break off into your blood stream….youll be fine, check in with us ok?

Hi Amber! Our stories seem very similar! i had my first melanoma (T1a) removed from my stomach in March of this year. At my 2nd follow-up in July I mentioned a mole I had always had on my butt, it didn’t necessarily concern me but it was my most abnormal looking mole and it was difficult to monitor for changes. My dermatologist removed it (excisional biopsy) and it was only moderately abnormal. The pathology report indicated that margins were present in the biopsy. With that said, my derm told me to look out for any new growth/pigment changes where the mole used to be. She said that is what they monitor with mild to moderately abnormal moles, but that even with any re-growth it does not automatically mean melanoma, just that a re-excision is needed. Anyways, based on my experience it sounds like the mole very well could just be abnormal (or even normal!) and have deep pigmentation. Good luck, I know waiting for results is NO FUN!

Amber, this is not pigmentation. What you see is a blood clot and or a scab. All 15 or so of my biopsies had that and never was melanoma. You are okay. Try to not worry about it too much, it is cut out and over with. Cheers!