MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Excise or Not excise that is the question!
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Excise or Not excise that is the question!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Excise or Not excise that is the question!

  • Post
    • October 13, 2010 at 5:30 am
    sarahandkawika
    Participant

      Okay, I blew it and let the stupid Derm do a scrape biopsy on my arm. I won't bore you with details. But this spot is a dyspastic nevus. and of course there are leftover cells in my skin. So, this derm says let him remove all the cells (nope!). MY derm specialist says it is all up to me whether I do or don't, everyone has varied opinion…So I would have the surgeon who did my graft remove the rest if I do…but the question is do I ?

      Any Opinions?

      Thanks

      Sarah, stage 3A NED 3 months

      Okay, I blew it and let the stupid Derm do a scrape biopsy on my arm. I won't bore you with details. But this spot is a dyspastic nevus. and of course there are leftover cells in my skin. So, this derm says let him remove all the cells (nope!). MY derm specialist says it is all up to me whether I do or don't, everyone has varied opinion…So I would have the surgeon who did my graft remove the rest if I do…but the question is do I ?

      Any Opinions?

      Thanks

      Sarah, stage 3A NED 3 months

    Viewing 3 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 13, 2010 at 1:37 pm
        dian in spokane
        Participant

          Since 1983, I have never turned down a reccommended wide excision. I am actually not sure what the upside of refusing an excision would be….beyond a smaller scar.

          • October 13, 2010 at 1:37 pm
          dian in spokane
          Participant

            Since 1983, I have never turned down a reccommended wide excision. I am actually not sure what the upside of refusing an excision would be….beyond a smaller scar.

            • October 13, 2010 at 1:54 pm
            MichaelFL
            Participant

              Hi Sarah,

              A dysplastic nevus (or what is called a atypical mole) is not yet melanoma. Most never do become melanoma. They are graded as mild, moderate or severe. Mild is usually watched for change, while moderate is considered for re-excision and severe is almost always re-excised. My derm re-excises both moderate and severe. He did re-excise my moderately atypical mole on my back and it was verified as having clear margins

              Sounds to me it is most likely mild or moderately atypical since he is giving you the option of deciding for yourself. It would be a good idea to to verify with the derm if it is mild, moderate or severe and thn make a decision from there. It would seem to me though that it would be better to have it re-excised and checked for clear margins for your own peace of mind.

              Also, a shave biopsy is not the best option if a mole is suspected to be melanoma. A punch or excisional should be performed instead as if on the off chance a mole is melanoma, there is always the chance a shave biopsy may transect the tumor and a correct Breslow depth may not be able to be properly obtained.

              Hope this helps some.

              Michael-stage 1b with a moderately atypical mole as well.

              • October 13, 2010 at 1:54 pm
              MichaelFL
              Participant

                Hi Sarah,

                A dysplastic nevus (or what is called a atypical mole) is not yet melanoma. Most never do become melanoma. They are graded as mild, moderate or severe. Mild is usually watched for change, while moderate is considered for re-excision and severe is almost always re-excised. My derm re-excises both moderate and severe. He did re-excise my moderately atypical mole on my back and it was verified as having clear margins

                Sounds to me it is most likely mild or moderately atypical since he is giving you the option of deciding for yourself. It would be a good idea to to verify with the derm if it is mild, moderate or severe and thn make a decision from there. It would seem to me though that it would be better to have it re-excised and checked for clear margins for your own peace of mind.

                Also, a shave biopsy is not the best option if a mole is suspected to be melanoma. A punch or excisional should be performed instead as if on the off chance a mole is melanoma, there is always the chance a shave biopsy may transect the tumor and a correct Breslow depth may not be able to be properly obtained.

                Hope this helps some.

                Michael-stage 1b with a moderately atypical mole as well.

            Viewing 3 reply threads
            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
            About the MRF Patient Forum

            The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

            The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

            Popular Topics