Dear Doctor,
A year ago, I went to the dermatologist and had two moles removed. The doctor called and said that they were benign, no further treatment necessary, come back in one year.
I went to the different dermatologist (same clinic) last week and had two moles removed. At the appointment, she informed me that the previous two moles had been abnormal. I was angry that the other doctor had not told me that they were abnormal - even though they were benign.
After this second visit, one of the moles came back abnormal. The dermatologist said that one of the margins was not clear and so I am scheduled for a re-excision next week.
Now I am concerned about the moles from a year ago. Should they have been re-excised also?
I am so afraid of melanoma that I can't seem to function. I am 42, white, female, over 200 small moles with about ten large moles on my back.
Can you explain more to me about abnormal moles? My new dermatologist says that the terms "mild, moderate and severe" aren't even used anymore.
Any help or advice you can give me would be most appreciated.
Becca