Hi Alison and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear about your situation. I can understand how unsettling this maybe waiting to hear your results.

It is not necessarily true that only bad results are given face-to face. Due to time pressures or clinic changes, even negative results may be conveyed via mail or phone.

Different consultants or departments may have varying approaches to sharing results. Most consultants prefer not to disclose results over the phone or by mail, most of them opt for face-to-face communication, regardless of whether the news is good or bad. 

I hope this helps and you know more about your situation soon.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Tina

Good evening. I have a mole looked at today. Photos have been taken and sent to a dermatologist to look at. The doctor basically said that it’s possibly melanoma but to wait and see what the dermatologist comes back with. What is the time frame from this point to diagnoses. What are the steps. It’s all very worrying. 

Good evening. I have a mole looked at today. Photos have been taken and sent to a dermatologist to look at. The doctor basically said that it’s possibly melanoma but to wait and see what the dermatologist comes back with. What is the time frame from this point to diagnoses. What are the steps. It’s all very worrying. 

Hello and thanks for posting

I'm sorry you are worried that you may have a melanoma.

When a melanoma is suspected the referral is marked as urgent and people should see a dermatologist within 2 to 4 weeks. 

If after examining the mole and the dermatologist thinks it looks suspicious they usually just remove it all in what is called an excisional biopsy. The whole mole is then sent away to the laboratory for further examination to find out if it is melanoma or not. But beforehand the dermatologist would tell you what they thought so you would have some idea first based on their examination. Biopsy results can take a couple of weeks to come back but this can vary and depends on capacity so ask what sort of he timeframe to expect. 

I hope you know more soon. Call us if you want to talk anything over. Our number is 0808 800 4040 and we are here weekdays from 9am till 5pm

Kind regards,

Celene