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Punch Biopsy vs Wide Excision
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Punch Biopsy vs Wide Excision

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Punch Biopsy vs Wide Excision

  • Post
    • April 15, 2016 at 4:28 pm
    KimberlyVU
    Participant

      Hi Everyone,

      I have a suspected amelanotic nodular melanoma and had an initial consult with a dermatologist that has now scheduled me for a 8mm punch biopsy.

      Everything I read says that I should be having a wide excision.

      I feel like he is taking the less invasive route because he doesn't see bumps that look like this.  I am scared of getting an incomplete diagnosis becaues I don't want to be rude or pushy with the doctor.

      Should I push and demand a wide excision?  Should I see another doctor? Another doctor is going to take time to get a referrel and basically start from square one again. 

      Please don't tell me you can't be sure or no one can tell me what to do etc. I already know that I just want to know in the opinion of other people who have had their melanoma diagnosis what would you do?

      Kim V.

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 15, 2016 at 4:43 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          The biopsy has to be done first to know if it is melanoma or not. There would be no reason for a WLE if it is not melanoma or anything of concern. When the pathology report comes back, at that time, and only if necessary, they would schedule you for a WLE. 

          • April 15, 2016 at 4:43 pm
          jennunicorn
          Participant

            The biopsy has to be done first to know if it is melanoma or not. There would be no reason for a WLE if it is not melanoma or anything of concern. When the pathology report comes back, at that time, and only if necessary, they would schedule you for a WLE. 

            • April 15, 2016 at 4:43 pm
            jennunicorn
            Participant

              The biopsy has to be done first to know if it is melanoma or not. There would be no reason for a WLE if it is not melanoma or anything of concern. When the pathology report comes back, at that time, and only if necessary, they would schedule you for a WLE. 

              • April 15, 2016 at 4:44 pm
              Janner
              Participant

                I would have the punch biopsy.  There is absolutely no problem diagnosing a lesion from a punch biopsy.  The wide excision is done after melanoma is confirmed.  And if it is melanoma and deeper than 1mm, they would want to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy first.  The SNB needs to have the minimal amount of tissue removed prior to it being done as it analyzes the lymph node drainage and this might be altered when a large chunk of skin is removed.  It sounds like your doctor is following normal protocol for a suspected melanoma.

                • April 15, 2016 at 4:44 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  I would have the punch biopsy.  There is absolutely no problem diagnosing a lesion from a punch biopsy.  The wide excision is done after melanoma is confirmed.  And if it is melanoma and deeper than 1mm, they would want to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy first.  The SNB needs to have the minimal amount of tissue removed prior to it being done as it analyzes the lymph node drainage and this might be altered when a large chunk of skin is removed.  It sounds like your doctor is following normal protocol for a suspected melanoma.

                  • April 15, 2016 at 4:44 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    I would have the punch biopsy.  There is absolutely no problem diagnosing a lesion from a punch biopsy.  The wide excision is done after melanoma is confirmed.  And if it is melanoma and deeper than 1mm, they would want to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy first.  The SNB needs to have the minimal amount of tissue removed prior to it being done as it analyzes the lymph node drainage and this might be altered when a large chunk of skin is removed.  It sounds like your doctor is following normal protocol for a suspected melanoma.

                    • April 17, 2016 at 7:45 am
                    Roni25
                    Participant

                      Hi Kimberley, am I right to assume that you don't mean a wide incision, just to have the mole cut out as oppose to a punch biopsy?

                      • April 17, 2016 at 7:45 am
                      Roni25
                      Participant

                        Hi Kimberley, am I right to assume that you don't mean a wide incision, just to have the mole cut out as oppose to a punch biopsy?

                        • April 17, 2016 at 7:45 am
                        Roni25
                        Participant

                          Hi Kimberley, am I right to assume that you don't mean a wide incision, just to have the mole cut out as oppose to a punch biopsy?

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