Biopsy question
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Biopsy question

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Biopsy question

  • Post
    • September 18, 2016 at 8:37 pm
    OLdakasha
    Participant

    I went in this past week because I had a mole that was bothering me. It has been itching for the past 2-3 months. At first just intermittently and then constantly. I had my husband look at it because I told him it felt larger. I can't see it as it is on the back of my neck. He said it looked inflamed around the base of the mole and looked like it was growing a blister on top but didn't look like it was filled with fluid. I went to my doctor and he told me I needed to see the dermatologist. The first available was a month and a half wait. The itching got to be really bad so I called and asked to be seen sooner. I went in on Wednesday last week. The dermatologist said the mole needed removed because it did not look right and that it did look like a blister on top but that it was firm. She used a punch to remove it and now I have 3 stitched where the mole used to be. They took pictures and measured it but didn't say anything to me other than to come get the stitches out in two weeks. How long does it take to get a biopsy back?  Is there anything other than melanoma that can cause itching in an existing mole. I am very nervous. If it is melanoma is itching considered an initial or later symptom ? Thanks in advance.

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 18, 2016 at 8:51 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Biopsy results can take 1-2 weeks, just depends on the lab. Other skin lesions can itch, it is not a definitive symptom of melanoma. It is good you got it checked out. Now, all you can do is try and relax until you hear back about results. 

      All the best,

      • September 18, 2016 at 8:51 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Biopsy results can take 1-2 weeks, just depends on the lab. Other skin lesions can itch, it is not a definitive symptom of melanoma. It is good you got it checked out. Now, all you can do is try and relax until you hear back about results. 

      All the best,

      • September 18, 2016 at 8:51 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Biopsy results can take 1-2 weeks, just depends on the lab. Other skin lesions can itch, it is not a definitive symptom of melanoma. It is good you got it checked out. Now, all you can do is try and relax until you hear back about results. 

      All the best,

      • September 20, 2016 at 4:08 pm
      Mawmaw2017
      Participant
      I went straight to a dermatologist on the 13th, he immediately was concerned, did biopsy, &:he requested to the lab he needed results back asap, got my results back Fri the 16th, with melanoma. I’m waiting to hear from the dr at the cancer center to do more test to find what stage, if it spread etc. My situation is exactly as yours. Mole on middle of my back, itched to the point it drove me insane. Mine is rather protruding, & “crusty like” but it hasn’t bled or anything.
        • September 20, 2016 at 4:11 pm
        Mawmaw2017
        Participant
        Mine has not been removed, he jus took a piece of it. He didn’t want to cut not knowing the extent of it, less cutting on me, until absolutely necessary.
        • September 20, 2016 at 11:40 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

        Hi Mawmaw 2016, May be something has been lost in translations here, but any derm that does not  take the full mole off with safe margins is not some one I would want to be dealing with!!! Ed

        • September 20, 2016 at 11:40 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

        Hi Mawmaw 2016, May be something has been lost in translations here, but any derm that does not  take the full mole off with safe margins is not some one I would want to be dealing with!!! Ed

        • September 20, 2016 at 11:40 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

        Hi Mawmaw 2016, May be something has been lost in translations here, but any derm that does not  take the full mole off with safe margins is not some one I would want to be dealing with!!! Ed

        • September 21, 2016 at 3:57 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        A proper biopsy would never ever just take a small piece, if it is melanoma then they would need the whole thing to be able to know the depth and depth is important in figuring out stage, you can't add one piece to another to get depth size.. doesn't work that way. Hopefully this was just a miscommunication.

         

        • September 21, 2016 at 3:57 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        A proper biopsy would never ever just take a small piece, if it is melanoma then they would need the whole thing to be able to know the depth and depth is important in figuring out stage, you can't add one piece to another to get depth size.. doesn't work that way. Hopefully this was just a miscommunication.

         

        • September 21, 2016 at 3:57 am
        jennunicorn
        Participant

        A proper biopsy would never ever just take a small piece, if it is melanoma then they would need the whole thing to be able to know the depth and depth is important in figuring out stage, you can't add one piece to another to get depth size.. doesn't work that way. Hopefully this was just a miscommunication.

         

        • September 20, 2016 at 4:11 pm
        Mawmaw2017
        Participant
        Mine has not been removed, he jus took a piece of it. He didn’t want to cut not knowing the extent of it, less cutting on me, until absolutely necessary.
        • September 20, 2016 at 4:11 pm
        Mawmaw2017
        Participant
        Mine has not been removed, he jus took a piece of it. He didn’t want to cut not knowing the extent of it, less cutting on me, until absolutely necessary.
        • September 21, 2016 at 3:02 am
        OLdakasha
        Participant

        I still do not have any results. It is hard not to worry. I am sorry to hear of your results. I hope they get you back in soon. My dermatologist removed my whole mole with a punch. I'm glad they they removed the mole. I didn't know that itching was even a sign of melanoma. Mine was not "crusty like" but red and inflamed and itched like crazy. I feel stupid now for not going in sooner. 

        • September 21, 2016 at 8:10 pm
        Mawmaw2017
        Participant
        I spoke with my dermatologist, I guess once he mentioned concerned, I panicked & barely heard the rest, he did not cut mine out , due to he was almost positive, without a doubt it was mel, had he removed it, he would’ve had me go to the hospital instead of his office, small town, not all equipped to do extensive tests, so rather , I’m going to a mel specialist whom can do everything in one place. I’d rather, than go to different locations to get several different tests & treatments. Yes, me too, real stupid of me. Hope yours comes back clear. But forever keep an eye on it & all of them .
        • September 21, 2016 at 8:10 pm
        Mawmaw2017
        Participant
        I spoke with my dermatologist, I guess once he mentioned concerned, I panicked & barely heard the rest, he did not cut mine out , due to he was almost positive, without a doubt it was mel, had he removed it, he would’ve had me go to the hospital instead of his office, small town, not all equipped to do extensive tests, so rather , I’m going to a mel specialist whom can do everything in one place. I’d rather, than go to different locations to get several different tests & treatments. Yes, me too, real stupid of me. Hope yours comes back clear. But forever keep an eye on it & all of them .
        • September 21, 2016 at 8:10 pm
        Mawmaw2017
        Participant
        I spoke with my dermatologist, I guess once he mentioned concerned, I panicked & barely heard the rest, he did not cut mine out , due to he was almost positive, without a doubt it was mel, had he removed it, he would’ve had me go to the hospital instead of his office, small town, not all equipped to do extensive tests, so rather , I’m going to a mel specialist whom can do everything in one place. I’d rather, than go to different locations to get several different tests & treatments. Yes, me too, real stupid of me. Hope yours comes back clear. But forever keep an eye on it & all of them .
        • September 21, 2016 at 3:02 am
        OLdakasha
        Participant

        I still do not have any results. It is hard not to worry. I am sorry to hear of your results. I hope they get you back in soon. My dermatologist removed my whole mole with a punch. I'm glad they they removed the mole. I didn't know that itching was even a sign of melanoma. Mine was not "crusty like" but red and inflamed and itched like crazy. I feel stupid now for not going in sooner. 

        • September 21, 2016 at 3:02 am
        OLdakasha
        Participant

        I still do not have any results. It is hard not to worry. I am sorry to hear of your results. I hope they get you back in soon. My dermatologist removed my whole mole with a punch. I'm glad they they removed the mole. I didn't know that itching was even a sign of melanoma. Mine was not "crusty like" but red and inflamed and itched like crazy. I feel stupid now for not going in sooner. 

      • September 20, 2016 at 4:08 pm
      Mawmaw2017
      Participant
      I went straight to a dermatologist on the 13th, he immediately was concerned, did biopsy, &:he requested to the lab he needed results back asap, got my results back Fri the 16th, with melanoma. I’m waiting to hear from the dr at the cancer center to do more test to find what stage, if it spread etc. My situation is exactly as yours. Mole on middle of my back, itched to the point it drove me insane. Mine is rather protruding, & “crusty like” but it hasn’t bled or anything.
      • September 20, 2016 at 4:08 pm
      Mawmaw2017
      Participant
      I went straight to a dermatologist on the 13th, he immediately was concerned, did biopsy, &:he requested to the lab he needed results back asap, got my results back Fri the 16th, with melanoma. I’m waiting to hear from the dr at the cancer center to do more test to find what stage, if it spread etc. My situation is exactly as yours. Mole on middle of my back, itched to the point it drove me insane. Mine is rather protruding, & “crusty like” but it hasn’t bled or anything.
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