Hello

It is always difficult when you get a slightly ambiguous message like this from your doctor, so I can  understand it being on your mind.  Unfortunately we can't tell you whether or not the doctor meant cancerous cells when he said "abnormal" cells, so it is possible that this may not be cancer.  If it does have some cancerous cells in it it is quite normal to take away some healthy tissue from around where the found the cancer.  This doesn't mean it has spread, but they need to do it to make sure that it doesn't.  Sometimes with what is called in situ melanoma or stage 0 some doctors regard these as being precancerous cells rather than a true cancer.   

Unfortunately though it is only really your dermatologist who can tell you exactly what they found, if this is playing on your mind perhaps call their secretary at the hospital and ask if you could speak to them over the phone ahead of your appointment.  They may have also written to your GP so it might be worth having a word with them to see if they can shed any light on things.

But, if it does turn out to have some cancerous cells, there is every chance that it has not spread and that removing a little more skin is just to make sure it doesn't give you any further problems.

I hope this has been of some help

Martin