Hi, 

I just thought I would update based on my appointment today. 
 

they believe that it is highly likely to be melanoma. Removal is booked for Tuesday. 
 

I want to believe that they could have this wrong but I know deep down that is highly unlikely. They know what they're looking at. I'm so cross with the GP for playing it down!! The skin clinic also for playing the urgency down! Cross at myself for not checking it sooner!! 
 

I just don't know where to turn. I have two girls (14&12). A wonderful husband, supportive friends, but it just doesn't take away the fear. 
 

I need to know that I am going to be alright. 
 

All the waiting is unbearable. 

Hi

You are lucky to have it removed so quick.  I waited two months which was stressful and another month for a further excision and that was only because I asked them to be referred elsewhere as they kept telling me I would receive a letter for the appointment which never did and they "just had a cancellation"  It is amazing though how many are being affected by melanoma and I have seen young people turning up at the clinic who have used sunbeds and seem to be oblivious.  I am fair skinned, covered in moles and freckles and love gardening. I am more aware now.  Take heart, not all are sinister (two further ones o.k) and it is good that you did not ignore it.  The consultant told me that it was good I went straight away and that they believed they had caught it early.  Good luck and look forward to hearing your news.

I wish I could say the consultant gave me reassurance he felt it was caught early. Alas not, wouldn't commit. Just said that nodes were fine, no visible ulceration and they are good signs. 
 

Tuesday feels a lifetime away. But in comparison to your experience I guess I'm extremely lucky. 

I'm sorry you need a biopsy but it's good you were proactive and you don't have long to wait.

The consultant can't tell if it's been caught early until it's removed and they see the depth. Melanoma is staged by it's depth but the length of time you've had the mole doesn't necessarily mean it's grown deep. My mole changed over a year before it was removed and it had only grown 0.7mm in depth which is early stage.No ulceration is a very good sign because it would be more aggressive. 

Good luck next week and I hope you aren't waiting too long for the results. Let us know how you get on.

Angie

Hi 

I wanted to close this thread off.  I have found the left threads really frustrating. But also hoping that it's because positive news was received. It's difficult as we all come here for support and reassurance and we don't always find it. But my advice is stay away from google!! 

As my original posts stated, I was referred due to an abnormal mole ticking ALL of the ABCDE signs. It was large, changed in size and colour but thankfully wasn't itchy/ulcerated. 

I had mixed messages from 4 consultants. But overall, they were all in the fence. They just couldn't tell me one way or the other but they felt it was highly suspicious. Consultants will rarely commit! 

I had my biopsy results today. It is a melanoma in situ. 

I count myself incredibly lucky. I am booked in for a WLE for belts and braces, although they didn't say it was necessary they allowed me to make that decision as the margins were clear. I have chosen to go safe! I was under the impression that irrelevant of MIS diagnosis, a WLE would be carried out. Any melanoma would have the WLE.
 

Anyway, moving forwards I will remain sun safe, and continue to monitor my skin as routine. Never leaving anything unchecked. 

Thank you for updating us and I'm sorry it was a melanoma. In situ is the 'best of a bad bunch' although it's still a frightening diagnosis. A WLE isn't always offered for in situ if they are happy that a safe margin of tissue was removed initially - this is because there is little or no chance of it spreading. However, peace of mind is more important so it's good you are having the WLE. Good luck and stay safe,

Angie