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Biopsy wait times? Referred to dermatology for suspicious mole on my nose

Queenie85
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Hi,

I was referred to dermatology in March 2025 for a suspicious mole on my nose. The dermatologist lost my notes and spent 3 mins with me, ignored my high risks, told me it was a benign lesion and sent me home. I put in a complaint to PALS as I was not convinced and have been gaslit a lot by the medical profession before (I have lots of medical conditions) and the dermatologists had a meeting and agreed I needed a second opinion. I saw a lovely dermatologist on 2nd July 2025, he looked at my nose and decided there was a risk of a BCC and that I needed a biopsy. I signed paperwork and had photographs taken. 

it is now 20th July 2025 and I have had no appointment for a biopsy and I checked my NHS app, and it states my appointment that day was apparently ‘cancelled’. I have however had a letter through stating his findings and that I would be having a biopsy. 

how long should I be waiting for this biopsy? I assumed this would be a bit quicker. I have medical PTSD and feel a bit stressed about this. 

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    Just to add that 15 years ago (at 24) I had a giant tumour adhered to my left lung, I had a CT guided biopsy at that time that stated the results were inconclusive, and my surgery for total resection was cancelled 3 times at that time (and always on the day), and it took 8 weeks for surgery to be completed. It was such a stressful time and luckily it was a benign schwannoma, but I have had a lot of life threatening conditions diagnosed since, and it has left me very anxious with the medical profession overall.

  • Hello Queenie85 and thanks for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about the difficult time that you have been having.

    If the doctors think that you may have a basal cell carcinoma they may have given you a Non-urgent referral.

    Basal cell carcinomas tend to grow much more slowly then other skin cancers and they don't tend to spread.

    I can't say what the time frame would be but I would contact the dermatology secretary and find out what the wait time is likely to be at your hospital as this will vary depending on workload and availability.

    You could also go back and contact Pals as you have done so in the past.

    I do hope that you know more soon. I can understand how frustrating it can be waiting for appointments.

    All the best,

    Catherine

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