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Excision results vs punch biopsy results
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Excision results vs punch biopsy results

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Excision results vs punch biopsy results

  • Post
    • July 19, 2016 at 9:28 pm
    Alce123
    Participant
      Hello!

      Just a quick question for anyone out there who might have had a similar experience.

      On 06/28 I had a punch biopsy of a mole on my right leg. The path report came back positive for melanoma depth of 0.44mm, no ulceration, mitotic rate of 0.

      On 07/13 I had the rest of the lesion excised. My surgeon wanted to do this before the WLE to get a full path report before destroying the lymphatic flow in case I needed a SLN biopsy.

      I called today for the results because the anxiety was killing me. Turns out the PA my doc usually works with had a baby yesterday so I got her very fresh replacement. Anyway, the PA said I’d that I’d have to discuss it with my surgeon and was confused because the report came back as “no evidence of residual tumor in specimen.”

      I’m confused since the original path report said the edges WERE involved (but that it had clean deep margins).

      Don’t get me wrong, I desperately want this to be true but how likely is it?

      I have an appointment on Thursday morning with my surgeon.

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 20, 2016 at 1:59 am
        Janner
        Participant

          That is actually not all that uncommon. The scar tissue/fibrosis/healing either obscures or takes care of the extra melanoma cells.   Don't stress about it – go with what you know.  Stage 1a.  Have your WLE and move on!

            • July 23, 2016 at 7:30 pm
            Alce123
            Participant
              Thank you so much for responding Janner! And you were right… there was no tumor in the specimen so 1a it is. Still a little freaked out (especially about trying to get pregnant since I’m 32 and married for 2 years) BUT so thankful it’s not worse! Thanks again 🙂
              • July 23, 2016 at 7:30 pm
              Alce123
              Participant
                Thank you so much for responding Janner! And you were right… there was no tumor in the specimen so 1a it is. Still a little freaked out (especially about trying to get pregnant since I’m 32 and married for 2 years) BUT so thankful it’s not worse! Thanks again 🙂
                • July 23, 2016 at 7:30 pm
                Alce123
                Participant
                  Thank you so much for responding Janner! And you were right… there was no tumor in the specimen so 1a it is. Still a little freaked out (especially about trying to get pregnant since I’m 32 and married for 2 years) BUT so thankful it’s not worse! Thanks again 🙂
                • July 20, 2016 at 1:59 am
                Janner
                Participant

                  That is actually not all that uncommon. The scar tissue/fibrosis/healing either obscures or takes care of the extra melanoma cells.   Don't stress about it – go with what you know.  Stage 1a.  Have your WLE and move on!

                  • July 20, 2016 at 1:59 am
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    That is actually not all that uncommon. The scar tissue/fibrosis/healing either obscures or takes care of the extra melanoma cells.   Don't stress about it – go with what you know.  Stage 1a.  Have your WLE and move on!

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