waiting times

Hi

How do you know that your mole hasn't been seen by a pathologist yet? Is this what you've been told when the skin cancer nurse returned your call from yesterday?

my doctors receptionist told me on phone just now  

In an ideal world our biopsies would be looked at within days of the pathology labs receiving them. Unfortunately, the NHS is under such pressure that they can't be. Most biopsies for skin cancer take between 2-4 weeks to be reported back to your consultant. Sometimes it takes longer - mine took 6 weeks.

Even if your biopsy does show melanoma my skin cancer nurse specialist (SCNS) told me that the thing to remember is that the tumour has been removed. The following WLE takes away a further margin of skin all around the original excision site just as a precaution to make sure that there are no stray cells left behind.

Was the receptionist able to give you an idea of how long results are currently taking in your area of the country?

no luv an thanku I just need 2 forget bout it now till I get my results so will b bk in touch when I get them an thanku for all your help.

Hi

How are you? Any sign of your results yet?

x

nope not yet an I fine thanku x

hospital have just phoned me they want to see me this fri should I be worried x

Hi 

I'm presuming that this appointment is to give you your results but I can't say for sure. Did you ask them what the appointment was for and who you'd be seeing, ie surgeon or dermatologist, etc?

Whilst it's natural to worry it might be that your hospital sees patients in person to give out results. That was certainly the case for me as I had a date for an appointment before my results were back.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you on Friday.

x

I'm seeing the doc wot advised me 2 have the mole off at the hospital I asked if there was any concern an the receptionist said she just wants 2 see you if it was nothing surely they would have just sent me a letter carnt see them telling me 2 go for nothing x

Do you have anyone who can go with you as, if it is a melanoma, there'll be a lot of information to take in and it's helpful to have a second pair of ears?

You might also want to write down any questions that you have thought of as I can guarantee that you won't remember them when you get there. 

If it is melanoma then things to ask include

• will I need a wide local excision (WLE) and when is that likely to be
• do you recommend I have a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB)
• can you give me the details of my skin cancer nurse specialist (SCNS) in case I need to get in touch
• how long is the current wait for results from the WLE and SLNB

I'm hoping you won't have to ask any of these.

Please come back and tell us how you get on.

x