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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Shave Biopsy on 1/4
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Shave Biopsy on 1/4
by G8r4evr, Jan 14, 2007 12:00AM
Hi!
I had a shave biopsy on 1/4 and still no results. I am worried sick about the possibility of melanoma and feel like I am going to go crazy with worry if I dont hear something soon. I called last Weds and still no results and then the Drs office was closed to move last Thursday and Friday. Im going to call them tomorrow, but this has dragged on so long, I feel like Im about to lose my nerve and almost dont want to know anymore.
The nurse said the mole was suspicious but didnt overly alarm her. I felt pretty confident when she said she didnt think it was melanoma, but since then, I have read numerous stories where Dr's didnt think a mole was melanoma, only to find out later that it was. The spot is on my upper abdomen and the shave biopsy was 10 days ago and it doesnt seem to be scabbing over yet. When I look at it, its just a bright white color where the mole used to be. Im worried that the fact that it hasnt started healing, means that it may be cancerous. Also, less than an inch away from the mole she removed, is another, almost identical to the one she removed, just much smaller. I have also read that satellite moles are a key indicator of melanoma in its late stages. Then, I read that shave biopsies should not be done when melanoma is suspected. Well, what if she was wrong and it is melanoma, then they wont be able to properly stage it? I am really starting to get worried here. The mole had been there for 4 years, so if it is cancerous, Im afraid it will have already spread. I was diagnoses with BCC last month and now this...The nurse said I am "an extremely moley" person and decided to biopsy this one because it was large and didnt look like any of the other moles on my body. It was about the size of a pencil eraser, with slightly jagged edges, almost completely flat, and a dark brown with a slightly lighter shade of brown along the edge (almost as if it were bleeding into the surrounding skin). It didn not itch or bleed and as far as I know, had not changed much if any over the last 4 years. My worry is that if it wasnt growing superficially, does that mean it was growing vertically and spreading all this time? Your thoughts, good or bad, would be greatly appreciated.
I had a shave biopsy on 1/4 and still no results. I am worried sick about the possibility of melanoma and feel like I am going to go crazy with worry if I dont hear something soon. I called last Weds and still no results and then the Drs office was closed to move last Thursday and Friday. Im going to call them tomorrow, but this has dragged on so long, I feel like Im about to lose my nerve and almost dont want to know anymore.
The nurse said the mole was suspicious but didnt overly alarm her. I felt pretty confident when she said she didnt think it was melanoma, but since then, I have read numerous stories where Dr's didnt think a mole was melanoma, only to find out later that it was. The spot is on my upper abdomen and the shave biopsy was 10 days ago and it doesnt seem to be scabbing over yet. When I look at it, its just a bright white color where the mole used to be. Im worried that the fact that it hasnt started healing, means that it may be cancerous. Also, less than an inch away from the mole she removed, is another, almost identical to the one she removed, just much smaller. I have also read that satellite moles are a key indicator of melanoma in its late stages. Then, I read that shave biopsies should not be done when melanoma is suspected. Well, what if she was wrong and it is melanoma, then they wont be able to properly stage it? I am really starting to get worried here. The mole had been there for 4 years, so if it is cancerous, Im afraid it will have already spread. I was diagnoses with BCC last month and now this...The nurse said I am "an extremely moley" person and decided to biopsy this one because it was large and didnt look like any of the other moles on my body. It was about the size of a pencil eraser, with slightly jagged edges, almost completely flat, and a dark brown with a slightly lighter shade of brown along the edge (almost as if it were bleeding into the surrounding skin). It didn not itch or bleed and as far as I know, had not changed much if any over the last 4 years. My worry is that if it wasnt growing superficially, does that mean it was growing vertically and spreading all this time? Your thoughts, good or bad, would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 15, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 15, 2007 12:00AM
I have only good thoughts. I'm sure the doctor just wanted to be sure, and the other mole nearby is just another mole, not a melanoma satellite. Shave biopsies are done if they're deep enough to go under the mole, and I assume that your doctor knows how to biopsy.
When a pathologist finds a melanoma, they call the doctor right away, which they would have done by now.
As I've told other people on this forum, I just don't understand why patients have to wait weeks for a biopsy result. I think it's unnecessary and unjustified. My pathologist has results in 24 hours, 48 max, for suspicious spots. If I were you, I would call and complain loudly until you get the results, so you can relax, which is what I think you should do.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
When a pathologist finds a melanoma, they call the doctor right away, which they would have done by now.
As I've told other people on this forum, I just don't understand why patients have to wait weeks for a biopsy result. I think it's unnecessary and unjustified. My pathologist has results in 24 hours, 48 max, for suspicious spots. If I were you, I would call and complain loudly until you get the results, so you can relax, which is what I think you should do.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by jte777, Jan 14, 2007 12:00AM
Hopefully Dr. Rockoff can put your mind at ease. I hate it when they take so long to get test results. Don't they realize the terror they create (usually needlessly)? I guarantee you that your doctor had had a biopsy, he or she would have had the results in a day or less. I wish all of them had to go through what their patients do once in their lives and could not call on professional courtesy to get better treatment. I doubt seriously that they would put up with the treatment they give us. Try to relax and keep things under control. I bet you will not get bad news.
