Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
before the biopsy results, how does doctor know it's not melanoma?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
before the biopsy results, how does doctor know it's not melanoma?
by adart, Dec 16, 2005 12:00AM
I am 49 years old with a history of 2 previous basal cell cancers. I get checked by my dermatolgist regularly but I noticed (don't know how long it's been there) a sore/lesion that I might have picked at and it formed a black scab. It is on the front of my scalp just beyond the hair line.
Yesterday, my dermatologist looked at it and said it looked suspicisious, either a basl cell or squamous and biopsied it. He said I will need to see a head and neck surgeon for frozen section so that they can make sure they get it all out. He said my hair would grow back. It is 1 centemeter in size. He said he was going out of town for Christmas and could talk to me about it January 3 or I'd get results by mail. It said these cancers are slow growing so I didn't have to act quickly.
I'm a single mother with 5 kids and I freaked out. I called my family physician who said she would try to expedite the biopsy results and recommended I have Mohs surgery. She said you can never know what it is actually is until the biopsy. Of course, she didn't see it.
So, how could my dermatologist so confidently tell me it was nothing to worry about ( in terms of my health) although he did say the scalp was tricky in terms of getting a good cosmetic result. I'd like some reassurance here so I don't have to worry all Christmas and ruin my childrens holiday. Right now I picture myself with advanced melanoma that has spread through my organs!
Hope you can shed light on how dermatologists look at these things, or see them as they do the biopsy.
Yesterday, my dermatologist looked at it and said it looked suspicisious, either a basl cell or squamous and biopsied it. He said I will need to see a head and neck surgeon for frozen section so that they can make sure they get it all out. He said my hair would grow back. It is 1 centemeter in size. He said he was going out of town for Christmas and could talk to me about it January 3 or I'd get results by mail. It said these cancers are slow growing so I didn't have to act quickly.
I'm a single mother with 5 kids and I freaked out. I called my family physician who said she would try to expedite the biopsy results and recommended I have Mohs surgery. She said you can never know what it is actually is until the biopsy. Of course, she didn't see it.
So, how could my dermatologist so confidently tell me it was nothing to worry about ( in terms of my health) although he did say the scalp was tricky in terms of getting a good cosmetic result. I'd like some reassurance here so I don't have to worry all Christmas and ruin my childrens holiday. Right now I picture myself with advanced melanoma that has spread through my organs!
Hope you can shed light on how dermatologists look at these things, or see them as they do the biopsy.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Dec 16, 2005 12:00AM
, Dec 16, 2005 12:00AM
I think your dermatologist is most likely correct, because the chances are that even if the biopsy shows a skin cancer, it won't be the kind that threatens your overall well-being.
Having said that, I don't see why you should have to wait until July 3rd to get the biopsy results. The pathology lab my office uses sends results in 24-48 hours. I think it would be reasonable for you to call the office and insist on finding out the results. If your doctor is away, there would be another doctor covering who could explain them if necessary.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Having said that, I don't see why you should have to wait until July 3rd to get the biopsy results. The pathology lab my office uses sends results in 24-48 hours. I think it would be reasonable for you to call the office and insist on finding out the results. If your doctor is away, there would be another doctor covering who could explain them if necessary.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
