Waiting to be biopsied
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.

Waiting to be biopsied

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Waiting to be biopsied

  • Post
    • January 7, 2018 at 8:57 pm
    westem27
    Participant

    Hello all,

    recently went to my dermatologist who noticed a spot that she said she wanted to keep an eye on and wait 6 months to look at it again. I told her no and that I wanted it removed right away. My biopsy is on Tuesday and I am freaking out. If she thought it was Melanoma would she really want to wait 6 months? I keep emailing her and she stated that the biopsy will show if it is benign or atypical. I have no family history. Would she tell me if she thought it could be melanoma? Sorry just freaking out over here. I have a four year old and am so so terrified. Please help!

Viewing 0 reply threads
  • Replies
      • January 8, 2018 at 1:24 am
      Janner
      Participant

      No one, not even your doctor, can tell if it melanoma just by looking.  That's not the way it works, unfortunately.  She's identified something that seems a little different from the others and has decided it should go.  Have YOU noticed that this lesion has changed?  If it has always looked the same, chances are it is nothing exciting.  If it has been changing, then it's good to get it removed.  Emailing your doc won't give you the info you need.  You're doing what you need to do, having a biopsy.  BTW, watching to see if something changes is pretty much the best way to monitor yourself for possible melanoma, so your doctor's approach is valid.  Personally, I use photographs to monitor for change.  Not changing, no biopsy.  Changing, biopsy.  90+% of all biopsies are nothing so don't jump to any conclusions.  Over the years we've seem THOUSANDS who were freaked out like you and most never came back which basically says there lesion was not worth all the worry.   Stop researching and just wait for results.  Then you'll know if there is truly something to be concerned about.

        • January 8, 2018 at 10:06 pm
        fleurdelis82
        Participant

        As Janner said, nobody knows for sure just by looking. An ugly looking mole may be benign and another harmless looking one may be melanoma. Physicians nowadays practice defencive medicine, which means that the vast majority of skin biopsies taken are out of over-abundance of caution and are not cancer. I think that you will be fine. For now just try to distract yourself. I know it is hard but look at it this way: even if it is melanoma (which is extremely unlikely), it will be taken care of early. I know the 2-3 weeks wait feels horrid, but it is all good. And when you are officially all in the clear, please don't forget to come back and tell us. All the best!

Viewing 0 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