Punch biopsy path sever atypia, excision path malignant melanoma in situ
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Punch biopsy path sever atypia, excision path malignant melanoma in situ

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Punch biopsy path sever atypia, excision path malignant melanoma in situ

  • Post
    • January 13, 2017 at 1:48 am
    Scared_th
    Participant

      I have posted a few topics on here bc the last three weeks have been a roller coaster for me. I had two doctors tell me when looking at a mole on the back of my neck that it was highly likely to be melanoma. They did a punch biopsy and I waited a week for the results. Somehow the results came back as sever atypia and we schedule an excision and decided to be aggressive and take wide margins just to be safe. 

      When I went in to my post op appointment, I was told that the results of my pathology report were what the originally thought – malignant melanoma in situ. Margins were clean and now I'm scheduled for a full body check in two weeks and will get one every three months.

      I'm young and a mother to two babies – one 18 months and one 11 weeks. Reading about melanoma and pregnancy has me scared out of my mind that something else could be lurking. I'm just so thrown as to how I had such relief from the punch biopsy only to be thrown again hearing it was melanoma. Is this a result of a poor pathologist reading? 

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    • Replies
        • January 13, 2017 at 2:13 am
        BillMFl
        Participant

          The possible issue with a punch biopsy is that it does not give a complete picture of the lesion.  An excisional biopsy with considerable wider margins is the best biopsy when melanoma is suspected. A single in-situ mm should not be cause for panic. That is the best outcome one can hope for with a positive dx. I will admit that my first in-situ gave me the heeebe jeebies. Years later a second dx barely caused a reaction. Consider yourself fortunate and now you are better prepared and know what to look for. Observe and get to know all your moles and be alert for any changes. That and regular followup screenings and you should be just fine. You might be better off not to hang out here if you are having anxiety. Many are not as fortunate. Count your blessings and think positive and get on with your life. Also share your experience with friends and family. I have spotted mm on other people and got them to a Derm pronto. Pay it foreward.

          • January 13, 2017 at 2:13 am
          BillMFl
          Participant

            The possible issue with a punch biopsy is that it does not give a complete picture of the lesion.  An excisional biopsy with considerable wider margins is the best biopsy when melanoma is suspected. A single in-situ mm should not be cause for panic. That is the best outcome one can hope for with a positive dx. I will admit that my first in-situ gave me the heeebe jeebies. Years later a second dx barely caused a reaction. Consider yourself fortunate and now you are better prepared and know what to look for. Observe and get to know all your moles and be alert for any changes. That and regular followup screenings and you should be just fine. You might be better off not to hang out here if you are having anxiety. Many are not as fortunate. Count your blessings and think positive and get on with your life. Also share your experience with friends and family. I have spotted mm on other people and got them to a Derm pronto. Pay it foreward.

              • January 13, 2017 at 2:24 am
              Scared_th
              Participant

                Thank you for the reply. I will admit that I have never experienced anxiety like this in my life and will definitely try to follow your advice of counting my blessings and staying diligent. It feels good to "talk" to people about it who have experience with it although I realize my situation is so fortunate compared to what so many people are going through. 

                Thank you again for the reply!

                • January 13, 2017 at 2:24 am
                Scared_th
                Participant

                  Thank you for the reply. I will admit that I have never experienced anxiety like this in my life and will definitely try to follow your advice of counting my blessings and staying diligent. It feels good to "talk" to people about it who have experience with it although I realize my situation is so fortunate compared to what so many people are going through. 

                  Thank you again for the reply!

                  • January 13, 2017 at 2:24 am
                  Scared_th
                  Participant

                    Thank you for the reply. I will admit that I have never experienced anxiety like this in my life and will definitely try to follow your advice of counting my blessings and staying diligent. It feels good to "talk" to people about it who have experience with it although I realize my situation is so fortunate compared to what so many people are going through. 

                    Thank you again for the reply!

                  • January 13, 2017 at 2:13 am
                  BillMFl
                  Participant

                    The possible issue with a punch biopsy is that it does not give a complete picture of the lesion.  An excisional biopsy with considerable wider margins is the best biopsy when melanoma is suspected. A single in-situ mm should not be cause for panic. That is the best outcome one can hope for with a positive dx. I will admit that my first in-situ gave me the heeebe jeebies. Years later a second dx barely caused a reaction. Consider yourself fortunate and now you are better prepared and know what to look for. Observe and get to know all your moles and be alert for any changes. That and regular followup screenings and you should be just fine. You might be better off not to hang out here if you are having anxiety. Many are not as fortunate. Count your blessings and think positive and get on with your life. Also share your experience with friends and family. I have spotted mm on other people and got them to a Derm pronto. Pay it foreward.

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