nervous about skin biospy results

Beachguy105 · New User Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 2

I went into the doctors to have this mole checked out. I noticed a differnce last week. I went in Saturday and they did a skin biospy. The doctor told me not to worry to much, but how can i not. It didnt look like if was melenoma. But as I read melmona can look like a normal mole. Should I get a copy of the results when they call me and go to a second doctors if things turn out neagtive. I am so scared.

HaoleBoy · Senior User Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 108

Try to take it easy and keep yourself busy with other things... and do yourself a favor and don't read this forum or others lke it at this stage.... Remember, melanoma is a relatively rare disease and there are alot of other conditions which can explain a changing mole other than melanoma (but you're doing the right thing checking your moles and going to the doc when you detect change in a mole -- very very smart and observant)....

Absolutely get a copy of the biopsy report -- this is a must..and even if benign, keep it on file with your other medical files.... As far as a 2nd opinion is concerned if the pathology report comes back negative. my recommendation and answer is "it depends"....

If the pathology was performed by a dermatopathologist -- a pathologist specially trained in skin cancer -- then I would say "no".... these guys know their business and they have seen ALOT of melanoma in all its various and cunningly deceptive guises and tricks....If the pathology is performed by the usual conventional pathologist, then I would say "yes", get a 2nd opinion and make sure the second guy is a dermatopathologist...

If your path report comes back as melanoma, then you will be fully justified in freaking out and reading everything you can about melanoma... but this is very scary disease, so do yourself a big favor and don't put yourself through a mental and emotional hell before you get the results.....

Be sure to ask your doc who performed the pathology -- a pathologist or a dermatopathologist... and ask him if the lab kept the slides (this is standard in the US, but I don't what country you are in).... If you need or want a 2nd opinion, they will need the slides as they will perform their own pathology all over again, vice reading the report.

Aloha,

Haole Boy
Stage 2A
2.40 mm thick superficial spreading melanoma on the bottom on my left foot's 2nd toe (amputated in wide local exicision)
WLE and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (one node left inquinal groin) negative for melanoma
NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE SINCE 21 AUGUST 2008

Beachguy105 · New User Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 2

thanks for the advice. I am in Florida

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