Anxiety about biopsy of mole on back - dermatologist said "if it's melanoma, we're in trouble!"

Hi Klabchloe and a very warm welcome to the melanoma forum which I hope you'll find is an informative and supportive place to be.

It's human nature to assume the worst but there are plenty of people who've come here absolutely certain that their mole is a melanoma who come back later to say it was just atypical. I've had two moles removed. The first one the dermatologist didn't think was anything to worry about and it turned out to be melanoma and the second time a different dermatologist was sure it was melanoma and it turned out to be an atypical mole!

My words of wisdom would be - occupy yourself doing things that you enjoy so you don't have too much time to think about the 'what if's'. Do not consult Dr Google as he will always tell you that you have cancer. Lastly, try not to worry (easier said than done I know) as no amount of worry will change the outcome but it will ruin the present.

When you go for your excisional biopsy make sure that before you leave you know how long roughly it should be before you get your results, how you'll get your results and what phone number/who to contact if the date you should have received your results by has passed and you haven't heard anything/been contacted.

I'll be keeping everything crossed for an atypical result

((hugs))

Thankyou, oh yes me and Dr google have been very well acquainted, it's so hard to resist the urge! 

I've had two moles removed before when I was a teenager both of which were benign, but it's so different when you're young and perhaps a bit nieve. This time round at 35 it feels more nerve racking. I will do my best not over worry, and try and keep a level head until the results are in, I've heard it's quite a wait sometimes really hope that's not the case. Hoping you're doing well now. 

Yes, I'm well thanks. It's nearly 8 years ago now since my diagnosis but I can still remember how nerve wracking waiting for results was. Mine took 6 weeks to come back but I think the average is about 4 weeks.

Hi – it can be very anxiety inducing when moles are atypical and the doctors don't always get it right. I've had a number of (severely) dysplastic moles removed which consultant had said were likely Seb K and nearly had same happen again recently, except hospital doctor didn't think lesion needed removing even. Luckily, I had dermoscopic photos and lesion previously diagnosed as nevus so insisted on a second opinion while at my hospital appointment – a more senior consultant came in, pointed out some features, and said it needed to be removed.

My lesion has now been removed and I have a follow-up appointment for results in approx 6 weeks time.

When the op was done I was told the mole was visible underneath but it will require detailed microscopic examination to know what is happening at the surface. It could even be a Seb K on top of something else!!

Please try not to stress and wait to see what it is. I'm not sure that "we're in trouble" is very helpful as a comment. The good news is that your lesion is being removed. Focus on that positive for now – it's what I'm doing.

Take care, Rose xx

Just thought I'd post an update, 

So had it removed 5 weeks ago now it's healed well although still slightly red, the scar is very neat he's done a great job.

Had my results today, and after weeks and weeks of worrying, it's come back as a pigmented seborrheic keratosis. Not even atypical! Over the moon. Feel I can breathe again. 

I hope you've had your results back and things have gone well for you x

Hi I just thought I'd reply with an update, the removal went well, after weeks and weeks of worry the results came back.

A pigmented seborrheic keratosis , not even atypical! So relieved. Thankyou for your advice.

Thank you so much for the update – it really helps others. I wasn't sure whether to post my results (didn't want to worry you) because mine came back as a severely dysplastic atypical mole. So Seb K (registrar's diagnosis) and collision tumour (consultant's diagnosis) were both wrong. But, luckily my insistence on having it removed meant everything was caught in time despite the misdiagnosis. I really am delighted to hear your news! Once again, thank you so much for the update because now I can post mine also. Rose x

That's great to hear Klabchloe and Rosalinda 

Good news is always welcome in this group. I hope you've both had a little celebration, or a big one!

Anne x