1st time poster, 4 time biopsy patient

[Briasten]

Hello all,
My name is Kristen, and, I'm new to the forum. Here is a little background on me and my medical history. I am a 26 year old female from Massachusetts. I have Thyroid disease, b-12 deficiency, iron deficiency, and neurofibromatosis. There is no history of skin cancer in my family. Virtually every other type of cancer, but, no skin cancer. When I was in the 6th grade, I had my first skin biopsy. I had an atypical mole on the front of my neck. Results were benign. A little of a year ago, I had my second and third skin biopsies. These 2 were both on my groin and benign. All 3 biopsies were done by my primary care physician who I have had since I was 3. This past July, during my yearly physical, my doctor was concerned at the number of moles I had, especially on my back. He instructed me to go see a dermatologist. This is what led to my 4th biopsy this past Tuesday. I'm not due to get my results until Wednesday. The way the dermatologist was acting concerned me. He repeatedly asked me if I was sure there was no skin cancer in my family. I even called my parents to verify. When I go to get my stitches removed, he wants to map my entire body. I'm sure he is just being cautios, and, I'm sure this last biopsy will be benign as well, but, he freaked me out a little. I found this forum and thought it might be a good idea to join, so I do have others to talk to if it is something more. I hope that this forum and the wonderful people here will be able to help me relax a little when I need to relax, and, will help answer questions if I need help. I look forward to being a part of this community.

[Deklon]

Kristen,

Writing from Cape Cod here, good to have a fellow Mass resident on board. I would be very happy that the way your dermatologist was acting concerned you. Having had melanoma removed, I actually felt that my dermatologist was less serious about it than I would expect. It is a very good thing that he is serious and that he is doing the mapping. I would be way more concerned if he brushed you aside as not a big deal. I also assume that since you've had a few previous biopsies by your primary that you have been getting checked regularly. Most melanomas grow fairly slowly, so even if your worst case scenario comes back from the biopsy, it would appear that it may be early on.

Tom Petty had it right when he sand the waiting is the hardest part. Keep us posted and best of luck...

D

[georgie430]

Hi Kristen

In reading your post and Deklon's response, I wish my derm was as
cuatious, he didn't examine me, is that what a mapping is?? I showed
him the mole and other spots I was concerned with.

In reading this forum I have learned alot, one is I will no longer look at skin Ca as a "not to serious" cancer. Will go every yr to derm, depending
on my 3 biops. And might have to find new derm, he used the same method of biop on all 3 biops, I believe shave as i have no stiches, and
one WAS a mole??

Really you have found a keeper, I thought this guy was too, but not after
reading your post. Unless he was confident that the mole was benign.
I will post that question. But I think you are in Grrreat hands.

Are you in rural area or a city? I'm rural.

God Bless

With the best intent,
Denise