llmercll

Thanks for all the replies, they've been very reassuring =)

My brother tells me I've had that mole for as long as he can remember, and also that the black spot is nothing new and has been there for awhile. he just told me today, and that was a big relief. It's hard for me be aware of change since it's on my back, but from what I can tell it hasn't changed much if any, and my family doesn't think it changed either. They don't examine it like crazy the way I do though. I'll take whatever I can tell myself to relax a little =/

I'm a big worrier, just like my mom. Either way, the plan is to make a dermatology appointment for a punch biopsy. I don't mind a little hole in my back as the price for peace of mind. I think most people here would agree that's the best choice for me. Definitely no to the shave biopsy because if it is melanoma the shave won't give them accurate depth, and the excisional biopsy might be overkill, unless the dr seriously thinks its melanoma or something.

thanks a lot everyone!

Thanks for all the replies, they've been very reassuring =)

My brother tells me I've had that mole for as long as he can remember, and also that the black spot is nothing new and has been there for awhile. he just told me today, and that was a big relief. It's hard for me be aware of change since it's on my back, but from what I can tell it hasn't changed much if any, and my family doesn't think it changed either. They don't examine it like crazy the way I do though. I'll take whatever I can tell myself to relax a little =/

I'm a big worrier, just like my mom. Either way, the plan is to make a dermatology appointment for a punch biopsy. I don't mind a little hole in my back as the price for peace of mind. I think most people here would agree that's the best choice for me. Definitely no to the shave biopsy because if it is melanoma the shave won't give them accurate depth, and the excisional biopsy might be overkill, unless the dr seriously thinks its melanoma or something.

thanks a lot everyone!

I'm in New York, a little ways north of the city.

What did you think of my picture? did it look bad to you? I know theres no way you can know for sure but have you had or seen mel moles that resemble mine? Because my mole looks like none of the pictures on the internet, which look much worse, but if it's an early stage…idk

Gah, I worry so much. I just want someone with experience to tell me "it looks benign, but only the doctor can tell you for sure".

I'm in New York, a little ways north of the city.

What did you think of my picture? did it look bad to you? I know theres no way you can know for sure but have you had or seen mel moles that resemble mine? Because my mole looks like none of the pictures on the internet, which look much worse, but if it's an early stage…idk

Gah, I worry so much. I just want someone with experience to tell me "it looks benign, but only the doctor can tell you for sure".

judging by my mole, if anyone has even looked at the pictures =(, I should probably get a biopsy done no matter what, right? Someone on another forum said the doctor told them they didn't need a biopsy and just to watch it, but he insisted and got the bipsy done that day. its a good thing he did because it turned out to be stage 3 melanoma!!!

Would you recommend the punch or excisional? I know to stay away from shave, but is the excisional basically a diagnosis AND cure all in one procedure (if its cancer)? or would they want to bring me back in and take out more flesh no matter what method they used?

thanks for all your help so far. I can't say I feel much better though. From the sounds of it any mole, even with the slightest change or discoloration could be mel, and not even a trained dermatologist can diagnoses without looking under a microscope =(

judging by my mole, if anyone has even looked at the pictures =(, I should probably get a biopsy done no matter what, right? Someone on another forum said the doctor told them they didn't need a biopsy and just to watch it, but he insisted and got the bipsy done that day. its a good thing he did because it turned out to be stage 3 melanoma!!!

Would you recommend the punch or excisional? I know to stay away from shave, but is the excisional basically a diagnosis AND cure all in one procedure (if its cancer)? or would they want to bring me back in and take out more flesh no matter what method they used?

thanks for all your help so far. I can't say I feel much better though. From the sounds of it any mole, even with the slightest change or discoloration could be mel, and not even a trained dermatologist can diagnoses without looking under a microscope =(

can they do the Excisional biopsy in the dermatologists office, like the shave biopsy? or does it involve an OR and general anesthesia?

can they do the Excisional biopsy in the dermatologists office, like the shave biopsy? or does it involve an OR and general anesthesia?