Help with biopsy report

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Help with biopsy report

This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 1 month ago by John Bruno 2613.

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- December 16, 2017 at 3:59 am
- Quote
Rami
Participant
I had a biopsy performed for melanonychia in my thumb nail. This is the second biopsy that was conducted, during the first my doctor did not remove my nail and failed to biopsy the correct spot. The second time she removed the half of my nail with the streak and biopsied underneath. She let me know Monday that the pathology showed a focal point of pigment. She also stated that the spot was very subtle but she believed that she removed it all. I received the pathology report today, I guess I’m confused by the comments regarding the specimen. Can someone please help? Based on my doctor’s observation do I need to continue to follow this, is this result inconclusive?

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:
1. Nail and nail matrix, matricectomy:
— Nail matrix with focal pigment. (See Diagnosis Comment.)
— No fungal organisms are identified on PAS-stained section.
Control worked appropriately.
DIAGNOSIS COMMENT:
No morphologic evidence of a melanocytic neoplasm is observed
however, interpretation is limited by the thin sample size. If this
represents a small portion of a larger pigmented lesion, we would
recommend close clinical follow-up and consideration for a larger
biopsy if clinically indicated.

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- - December 16, 2017 at 3:37 pm
  - Quote
  ed williams
  Participant
  Hi Anon, not a Dr. but it sounds like to me that they didn't find anything but the Dr. is telling the other Dr. to follow up based on lack of information and sample size. Reports are always hard to follow because they talk in a foreign Dr. or pathalogist language. I wouldn't worry especially since no where do I see that they found "Melanoma" Maybe Janner will post and correct me if I am off base on my view of this!!! Best Wishes!!!Ed
  - December 18, 2017 at 2:30 am
    
    Quote
    John Bruno 2613
    Participant
    
    Hi, My Dad was told one time that everything was alright by the Doctor but it wasn't. He always gets the pathologist report and reads it because Doctors make mistakes too. His Doctor did when he read the report it said he it could not rule out melanoma so they recommended a re-excise to make sure. If I was you I would request more of it taken out to rule out anything and check the margins. Always read your reports because sometimes Doctors do make mistakes. When my Dad went back to tell the Doctor what he read the Doctor just said sorry I missed that info. He decided to change Doctors and now he goes to the Mayo Clinic for his check-ups.

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