abnormal mole biopsies

[almekay]

my mother died of melanoma in 1980. i recently had 3 biopsies done on 3 different parts of my body and all three came back as abnormal cells. I have appt tomorrow to get them removed. what are the odds of all three being abnormal and me not have melanoma? i'm sure the lab would not tell me it was malignant over the phone, right?

[brainman]

Hi Almekay,

What they will tell you over the phone very much depends on your relationship to your medical team and your expressed expectations. In 1992, I worked at the same hospital where I was diagnosed and then treated, so I worked with that medical team day in and day out. They also knew that I wanted them to read the path report to me over the phone and they knew that I would not "freak out." In 2005 it was a different story. I did not work at the hospital where I was diagnosed and then treated, so it has been harder for me to get information over the phone. I have had many, many arguments about this with my current medical team and still have problems getting information over the phone. However, I have learned one very important and relaxing bit of information: If it is serious, the doctors will contact me and schedule an appointment ASAP. If it is not serious, then they do not feel a need to rush to give me that information. It took me a long time to adjust to that but once I did accept that reality, life has been a whole lot better for me.

I will keep you in my prayers, almekay.

[almekay]

I came back from the dermatologist just a few hours ago and found that it was moderate to severe abnormal cells but no cancer. The removed a big chunk from my leg and left 8 stitches. I have to go back 2 more times to have the others removed.

Thank God it was not cancer!!

Thank you for responding and keeping me in your prayers. I will do the same for you!

[brainman]

Good news then It isn't cancer!! I imagine the removal of the moles still hurts . Hope you get to feeling better soon.

[tygger1428]

i know this is an old post i'm replying too, but just wanted to say i think i'm going to have the same thing done. i had a mole removed 3 months ago and my DR said it was "abnormal but we think we got it all." i was told if any pigment returns to call them. well, 3 spots of pigment have returned so i go Tuesday to have her look at it. I'm hoping its just more abnormal cells and not cancer! i freak about this stuff! did you have yours removed in the office, or did you have to go to the hospital? any way, i'm glad yours wasn't cancer!

[almekay]

Yes, I did have all of mine removed in the office. I still have a bald spot on my head though. The dr said I probably would. So, did you just have a biopsy and the pigment grew back? Do you have a family history of melanoma? The one on my head had been biopsied before and was abnormal then and the Dr then wanted me to just keep an eye on it. This last time I went to see a specialist and she was upset the first Dr did not remove the one on my head with my family history. But, All is well. I'll keep you in my prayers. Let me know how things turn out, OK.

[tygger1428]

yes, i had an odd looking mole removed about 3 months ago on my chest and they said it was "abnormal" but they think it was all removed. i was told to keep an eye on it, to see if any pigment returns. well earlier this month i noticed 3 small brown dots in my scar, so i have an appointment this tuesday to have it looked at. I have no family history of melanoma and i have had basal cell carcinoma 2x (going to have another one looked at that i think is another basal cell) w/in the past year, so i'm worried. thanks for keeping me in your prayers! i really appreciate it!