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. 

Hi thanks for replying.  I had my results and it was confirmed as melanoma.  The nurse said it was quite big but didn't say how big or anything about what stage.  I am waiting to get a CT scan and then depending on what that shows either further investigation or sentinel lymph nodes biopsy.  But I keep worrying now because she said it was big does that mean the there is a good chance the cancer will have spread?  

Hi Alison I have stage 3 melenoma and I'm awaiting my op for full lymph node removal. My 1st melenoma was on the lower part of my leg 8 years ago and was showing stage1 and cells of stage 2, its been 8 years and has unfortunately returned. Try not to worry although I know how hard it'll be. Just because it's big doesn't necessarily mean it'll spread, ille keep all crossed for you sending big hugs 

Hi sally 

Thank you so much.  I think it's just the unknown and waiting that is worrying.  I'm so sorry to hear that your melanoma has returned.  I hope everything goes well with your operation.

Hello Alison2208 and thanks for your post,

I know that you want the answer to your questions answered but I am afraid it is not until the other investigations are done that they are able to stage your melanoma. You can read more about stages of melanoma on our website.

I don't think that you can tell whether the cancer has spread by the size as it is all the other results that will give your doctor the information they need.

Try not to overthink it for now and take one step at a time.

If you would like to talk anything through then you are welcome to give us a call.

Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

All the best,

Catherine

Hi there. Just reading your thread and wondered how you are now 

Hi, thank you for asking.  I had a CT scan to check for any tumours and that came back clear.  I am now waiting for a sentinal lymph node biopsy with WLE.  I've got a pre op assessment booked for 17th September so I'm hoping it will be sometime soon after that.  I hope everything is okay with you? Alison