melanoma fear

I tend to be a hypochondriac and after reading a recent newspaper article about a teen with melanoma I made an appointment to see a dermatologist.  I've had a completely flat mole about the size of a pencil eraser on my abdomen for as long as I can remember (I'm 30 years old).  When I inspect it closely (stretching the skin out) it takes on an odd shape.  I asked the dermatologist to do a full skin check and she found two nevi that she called slightly atypical.  The one on my abdomen that is more squarish than round and one on the back of my leg.  She said that she liked to remove them since atypical moles have a greater tendency to develop into melanoma.  She said that she didn't see anything to suspect they were now malignant but wanted them removed.  The excisions are scheduled five weeks from now.  I, of course, am terrified that since she wants them removed they must look suspicious and she just didn't want to tell me.  

I am constantly thinking and worrying now that I have skin cancer and the thought of waiting five weeks to have anything done is unberable.  I called the doctors office this morning to discuss my concerns with the doctor.  The receptionist ran interference and said that I have nothing to worry about and that they do 15-20 mole removals a week, so it's very common.  She also said there is nothing that can be done to schedule the appointments any sooner.    

Is it common to wait five weeks to deal with atypical moles?  Won't waiting that long be bad if it turns out to be something serious?  Should I consider getting a second opinion on this?  I'm now having a hard time concentrating on work due to the constant worry.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  

---Chris

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I understand your anxiety, but you have nothing to worry about.   If your doctor were really suspicious, I am sure she would have told you, and she would have removed or biopsied them at once.  Removing moles as a precaution is standard practice.

Other doctors (I am one) do biopsies first--take a small piece as a sample--and then complete removals if the pathology indicates it's necessary.

Either way, I wouldn't worry or obsess about this anymore.  Just get the moles taken off as scheduled, and you'll be fine.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff