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Shave biopsy false negative?
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Shave biopsy false negative?

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Shave biopsy false negative?

  • Post
    • August 23, 2017 at 5:55 pm
    AlexBogues
    Participant

      So about two weeks ago I went to a dermatologist for the first time to have a mole on my left shoulder/back checked out (http://imgur.com/a/OiTNU see image). I got the results last week and they said it was a Compound Nevus with Severy Atypia. I was very scared hearing sever and began to worry. I am scheduled to get it removed this Friday and am afraid some of the back pain and sholder pain im having on the same side as the mole is melonoma that has spread.

      My question is how unreliable could a shave biopsy be to diagnose melonoma? If they called it Sever Atypia could the worse the diagnosis be "Melonoma in Situ?" Could my back pain be melonoma that has spread to my bones.

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        • August 23, 2017 at 6:04 pm
        AlexBogues
        Participant

          Here is a better picture of the original mole.

          https://goo.gl/photos/DmXHLaA43o14wteTA

          • August 23, 2017 at 8:31 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            A shave biopsy has no impact on diagnosing melanoma.  A shave is a totally appropriate biopsy type.  It has a negative impact for staging only if it were to bisect a melanoma – total depth might be lost.  But that is not an issue in your case.  As for whether an atypical lesion could be causing your back and shoulder pain, no.  Even if it were in situ, again no.  Look for the most likely explanation first and neck and shoulder pain have tons of causes that are unrelated to melanoma and WAY more likely.  In fact, pain is rarely an indicator that melanoma has spread.  Just have the lesion removed and move on.  It wasn't melanoma and it hasn't spread.  Then deal with your neck and back pain as totally separate issues.

            • August 23, 2017 at 11:25 pm
            Marksa2570
            Participant

              I'm not an expert here but I had a severe atypical and I believe they did a WLE on it (I have a 1+ inch scar across my pectoral).   I assume that is standard protocol for severe atypical?    That would find if there are any additional cells but I wouldnt expect them to find anything.   They didnt with me.    

              Thanks and good luck!

               

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