shave biopsy

Just to give you a little background...I'm 29 years old and I have to admit I used to worship the sun and have been to the tanning bed.  However, not anymore after my 2 scares having to have skin biopsies.  I am very concerned with the skin biopsy I had on my leg in June.  The dermatologist biopsied a lesion on my lower leg (next to my shin bone) that was 3 mm, blue/black in color, and slightly raised. Those were the lesions only abnormalities.  The lesion appeared to be under the skin (deep).  The dermatologist did a shave biopsy.  He apologized afterwards for having to go deeper than what he thought to get to the lesion.  He informed me that I might need to come back for a punch biopsy.  One week later the results showed, as the derm. stated, "a completely benign solar lentigo." and he did not suggest coming back for a punch biopsy.  For awhile, I accepted the results and was pleased.  Then I got to thinking why he suggested I may need to come back for a punch biopsy.  I called the derm. office and spoke with the nurse and she said that they have to cover all areas and if the shave biopsy would of showed abnormal cells then a punch biopsy would of been done to get all the margins.  Several months later the biopsy has healed great.  There is a slight red circle with a line of some of the blue/black.  The red circle fades when pressed on and you can still feel a slight indentation from the biopsy.  I guess my concern is would the shave biopsy that the derm. did detect melanoma if I had it?  Can I be reassured with my test results and move on?  

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes, you should indeed be completely reassured and move on.  Had the shave biopsy showed anything suspicious, you might have needed a deeper biopsy, so your dermatologist was quite right to prepare you for this possibility.  However, the shave biopsy was completely normal, so you didn't, and don't, need anything further done.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[distressed29]

Thank you for your time!  Now I can ease my mind.

[suggest]

I had a shave biopsy done and the doctor said I would have  to wait two weeks to get results.  Since this lesion is on my face I am very worried.
I find out the results tomorrow, but I am going to get my records and pathology report and go to my regular dermitologist.  When I cancelled the appointment with first doctor I got a call that I need to come in and let the doctor see the spot on my face and he might need to remove more from the lesion .  Does that mean it is cancerous.  This call was left on my message machine.  I have been worried all weekend!

[distressed29]

I would not be too concerned.  My derm. told me that the reason he would have me come back in to remove more of the lesion was if there were any suspicious cells.  First of all, don't jump to conclusions...it might not be cancerous.  The dr. may have gotten an inadequate sample and the pathologist may not be able to determine what the lesion is or  they may have found some suspicious cells (abnormal cells) on your shave biopsy, but that does not mean they are cancerous.  I know somebody who had abnormal cells, but they were precancerous.  They were not cancerous.  She had the lesion removed and now she is fine.  Think positive!!!!  Keep us updated.