Hi buster, I’m going through some tests for the same thing at present. I also have 2 children  12 and 13 yrs old. It’s a really worrying and stressful time. Can I ask, did ur biopsy go to a second specialist? And did it take a while for the results to come back? Or did the biopsy come back straight away as conclusive? 

Oh I see, I had mine removed within 3 days, so hopefully u won’t have to wait too long.
they think it’s melanoma but still doing a biopsy to make sure it is, and then will need to go back into my leg to make sure it’s all been taken out. 
But I’m just waiting for the results so they can do a second procedure. The waiting is the worst! 

Sounds like I've misunderstood the process, which is partly why I'm here. I'll be waiting for thickness levels apparently.

Hi Buster,

Most dermatologists have the experience & expertise to know if a mole looks cancerous or not, however, they too can sometimes be wrong. That is why a biopsy is the only foolproof way to know if it's melanoma. Some moles can look like melanoma but are actually precancerous (also known as atypical or dysplastic) - these are moles that have been caught in time before they become malignant.  So there is still a small chance that the dermatologist could be wrong. My dermatologist knew immediately that my first mole looked cancerous (and the biopsy proved her right) however 2 different dermatologists have later thought two other moles looked cancerous & the biopsies came back benign, so don't think this is a done deal yet.

When it's removed it will then be sent for biopsy - all removals have to be biopsied as this is how they a) diagnose if it's melanoma and b) know the thickness which then tells them the stage of the melanoma. The treatment plan then depends on the stage. 

If it is melanoma, there is still a chance it's been caught before it has grown deep & surgery will be the only treatment you need. If it's a deep melanoma, treatment has come on in leaps & bounds over the last few years & many more people are successfully treated than once were. 

So, all this considered, it may not be as bleak as you fear. The waiting in this process is the hardest - the wait for the surgical removal, then the wait for the results. It's hard when you have a young family but please don't blame yourself, it can happen to anyone. You may wish to tell them what you know so far or to wait until you've had the biopsy & have the results. Personally I would wait because you may upset them & then find that it's not melanoma or that it's been caught early & needs no further treatment. If it's a deep melanoma you will be told the treatment options (adjuvant drug treatment) and you are then better placed to explain it all to your children.

Good luck, I hope you are waiting too long for the removal and results. Please let us known how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009) 

Thank you so much for all your knowledge and share.