Really sorry if im in the wrong section im new here.
I noticed a new black mole type growth on my leg which to the naked eye looked like a blood blister but when i zoomed in closer it was a very dark mole and very very small.
Within 7 weeks i had seen dermatology and had it removed, coincidentally my husband and father in law had moles removed in the same week i did.
Anyways they got their letters confirming it was clear but i received a phone call from my consultants secretary asking me to come for an appointment which is this Friday (tomorrow).
On one had Im fairly calm as i know as soon as i saw the growth i took action, and it was very small. But on the other hand im 38 with 3 small children and i think it is melanoma and would like to now what i should expect when walking into this appointment.
Thank you xx
Hi Starlight00 and a very warm welcome to the melanoma forum which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
That's great to hear that both your husband and father have been given the all clear from their mole biopsies and it's natural to wonder why you have an appointment when they received their results by post. Did they have their moles removed at the same hospital as you? If not, it may be that their hospital sends results by post whereas yours likes to see you in person.
If it does turn out that your mole is a melanoma then the consultant will tell you what the next steps are. Usually, anyone who is diagnosed with melanoma will have a wide local excision (WLE). This is when a further 1-2cm is removed all around the original excision site to make sure no cancer cells have been left behind. Depending on the depth and, therefore, the Stage of your mole you may also be offered a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The latter is not treatment but is a way of seeing if melanoma has travelled to your lymph nodes. I've had both of these procedures so I'm happy to share my experience with you if you'll be having them.
The consultant should also give you patient information leaflets about the stage of your melanoma along with how to protect your skin in future. You should also be introduced to your skin cancer nurse specialist (SCNS) or given their contact details. The SCNS acts as your immediate point of contact if you have any questions or you find anything else you're worried about.
I hope that gives you an idea of what you might expect
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