Waiting For Test Results!

Hi Deborah, 

Sorry to hear that wait is longer than expected. 

I can't advise on the results but in my case they told me it'll take about 3weeks to get the result after the initial excision, than on the 9th day ,I was called for urgent appointment with clinician where I was told it was melanoma.

Although waiting is difficult,it might be a positive thing. 

I suggest you call the number for best information. Do not hesitate to contact them, I always had positive experience whenever I contacted the nurse /consultant with questions.

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Hi Deborah

When I had my lesion removed I was told that the results should be back in about 4 weeks but mine took 6 weeks. 

Recently I had an atypical mole removed and was given the number of my consultant's secretary to ring if the results weren't back after 6 weeks. They were back after about 4 weeks so I didn't have to ring. 

If you were told that your results could take up to 6 weeks to come back and to ring after that time if you haven't heard then I'd wait until then. However, if you were told to ring after 3 weeks then I'd definitely be calling tomorrow. 

One thing to bear in mind though is that the secretary will only be able to tell you if the results are back or not and, if they are back, won't be able to tell you what the results are. This is because they won't be able to discuss or answer any questions you might have. However, she should be able to tell you how you'll receive the results, ie. letter, phone call or appointment.

Let us know how you get on

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Thanks for taking your time to reply to me.

I know a few people have said that no news is good news but that's not always the case!  Obviously situations differ between hospital trust's regarding how long things take. I'm trying my best to stay positive and thinking that all will be OK. I will ring my Dermatologist's secretary tomorrow just to see if she knows anything. I know they can't give out results but I think it'll make me feel a bit better. 

I'm so sorry that yours has turned out to be Melanoma but I do hope you'll be OK and that it can be treated?

Take care x

Thanks for your reply.....

It'll be 4 weeks tomorrow so I'm hoping the results will be back ASAP.  I didn't think the waiting would bother me. I do go hours without thinking about it at all but then something will jog my memory and then that's when I do. 

Yes, I do realise that the secretary can't give out results but they did say that she could chase things up if they're not back. I think I will ring her tomorrow as talking to her will help me a little bit. I don't know if the results will come via post or if they will ring me? 

I'll definitely let you know how I get on.

Thanks again x

Hi Debs13,

Yes definitely give them a ring just to check if results are back, hope you get good news.

Mine turned out to be T2a tumor, which is staged 1b. So quite early diagnosis with good prognosis, yesterday I went through WLE that removed more skin around it and SLNB to check if it has gone to lymph nodes. Hopefully, result will be neg, so I won't need further treatment but only monitoring and prevention with Sunscreen etc.

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You could check with the secretary about how you'll get your results . Different hospitals have different protocols so it's not easy for us to know. You should have been told how you'll receive them when you were given the phone number for the secretary so it's naughty of the staff not to have done so.

When I was diagnosed with melanoma I had a face-to-face appointment but the appointment was booked before the biopsy results were back so I would have been given the news like this whether it was positive or negative. However, that was pre-pandemic.

x

Hi Elmyra,

Thank goodness yours is stage 1b and that it's been caught early on. Fingers crossed your lymph node tests come back negative. I always wear factor 50 and that's all year round on my face. I had two Actinic Keratosis on my face 3 years ago which were treated with Efudix cream, which did work. My face looked a mess and it was painful but it worked, so that's all that mattered. Prevention is the key. I was a sun worshiper when I was younger and it's coming back to bite me on the bum now..... he he. In the '70s and 80's, we weren't sun-aware like we are now!! Good luck!! x

Thanks, Latchbrook! Yeah, I never thought to ask at the time when I had my mole removed as to how I'd receive my results!! I am going to ring the secretary then at least she may be able to tell me a little bit more...... No harm in trying! I would think that if the results are positive that they will tell you at a face-to-face appointment and maybe the same for negative, as they might want to check my wound out??!! x

Just to update you! I have just spoken to my Dermatologists secretary and a letter was sent out to me on the 14th of September, electronically!! I never received it..... So the secretary is posting it out to me first class today. It might miss today's post from the hospital but I should get the letter/results by Friday all being well. Do you think a letter means good news or do different hospitals have different procedures when giving out results? I'm thinking they would have rung me to make another appointment if it is bad news but that's just guesswork!! I was so tempted to ask the secretary what the letter says but I know she couldn't have told me!!! x

That's great news Debs13,

I would assume if it was bad news they would either tell you on the phone or face to face, hope it arrives quickly to put your mind at ease.

Another note maybe it was send to your gp, they receive results electronically too. 

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