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Type of Biopsy?
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Type of Biopsy?

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Type of Biopsy?

  • Post
    • September 19, 2017 at 9:05 pm
    MDelysle
    Participant

      I was diagnosed with a thin melanoma 7 years ago and a in situ 1.5 years ago.  I'v also had multiple normal and dysplactic nevi biopsied throughout the years.

      I recently moved 70 miles from my orignal derm who found these 2 issues. However, I still see a leading San Francisco melanoma specialist (ex head of UCSF Melanoma clinic) 2x per year who recently suggested I get an "ugly duckling" mole removed. He further said it was fine to have a derm in the North Bay do the proceedure.

      This new dern removed my mole via "shave" biopsy.  I was not made aware of this before she did it and I did not think to ask her or watch her.  It came back as a slighly dysplastic nevi and now I have to have a full excision and pay AGAIN for both the derm surgery (partially covered by insurance) and for the UCSF pathology (NOT covered by my insurance and $350 each time).

      Questions for this group:

      – A shave biopsy for someone with my history seems odd and irresponsible. Thoughts on this?

      – Anyone know of a good melanoma derm anywhere between Santa Rosa and Marin (Northern Cal).

      Thank you!

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        • September 20, 2017 at 12:11 pm
        hellokitty1
        Participant

          My doctor does only shave biopsies. It has concerned me in the past, but often times he gets the whole thing with the scapel, so I guess I can't complain too much. I am seeking a second opinion now, though.

          But I'm surprised you're getting an extraction for a slight atypical mole. My derm leaves them. Slight-to-moderate he doesn't surgically extract but does scoop out until the margins are clear. Moderate and above is extracted. My understanding is that slight atypica don't turn into melanoma like ever.

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