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Biopsy came back severely atypical, have to go back for a second one

Forums General Melanoma Community Biopsy came back severely atypical, have to go back for a second one

  • Post
    staciediane
    Participant

    Hi,

    Melenoma runs in my family (my mom passed away from it when I was 12), so I've always been concerned that I'd develop it. I've watched my moles closely and I noticed one in particular that my dermatologst had said to watch had changed.

    I went back to the dermatologist to have it looked at and sure enough she said we should remove it and send it in for a biopsy. I'm not sure if she did a shave or an excision (I didn't watch or ask because it kind of freaked me out). Anyways, I got a call back today and the results came back as severely atypical and they want me to come back on Monday to remove more and send it in for a second biopsy.

    Of course I'm concerned due to my family history of it, but do I have anything to really be concerned about? Is it possible that this is a melenoma?

    Thank you!

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      If it was melanoma then they would have seen it with the initial biopsy. With severly atypical they will take margins around the biopsy site to make sure any cells left behind are taken out just in case. It's good that you're aware of watching for change, keep watching and hopefully you'll never deal with melanoma. It has a very small genetic percentage, around 8% I believe, so it is very likely that although your mother had it, you may never get it yourself. Sorry that this awful cancer took her from you so young.

      All the best,

      jennunicorn
      Participant

      If it was melanoma then they would have seen it with the initial biopsy. With severly atypical they will take margins around the biopsy site to make sure any cells left behind are taken out just in case. It's good that you're aware of watching for change, keep watching and hopefully you'll never deal with melanoma. It has a very small genetic percentage, around 8% I believe, so it is very likely that although your mother had it, you may never get it yourself. Sorry that this awful cancer took her from you so young.

      All the best,

        staciediane
        Participant

        Thanks for the reply! That does ease my mind. I guess my biggest concern is that this is how it started in my mom. Visits to the dermatologist and getting mole after mole removed, biopsied, and having to go back. I'm going to try not to worry about it and just stay diligent in checking in the mean time though. 

        staciediane
        Participant

        Thanks for the reply! That does ease my mind. I guess my biggest concern is that this is how it started in my mom. Visits to the dermatologist and getting mole after mole removed, biopsied, and having to go back. I'm going to try not to worry about it and just stay diligent in checking in the mean time though. 

        staciediane
        Participant

        Thanks for the reply! That does ease my mind. I guess my biggest concern is that this is how it started in my mom. Visits to the dermatologist and getting mole after mole removed, biopsied, and having to go back. I'm going to try not to worry about it and just stay diligent in checking in the mean time though. 

      jennunicorn
      Participant

      If it was melanoma then they would have seen it with the initial biopsy. With severly atypical they will take margins around the biopsy site to make sure any cells left behind are taken out just in case. It's good that you're aware of watching for change, keep watching and hopefully you'll never deal with melanoma. It has a very small genetic percentage, around 8% I believe, so it is very likely that although your mother had it, you may never get it yourself. Sorry that this awful cancer took her from you so young.

      All the best,

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