Concerning results from mole biopsy

Hi all,

I was just after some advice to see if anyone had been through a similar thing.

I had a mole removed 3 weeks ago which had grown in size and changed shape. 
 

I received a call today for an urgent appointment tomorrow to discuss the results from the biopsy.

 

I suffer terribly from health anxiety from past issues and am beside myself with worry and looking at the worst case scenarios.

 

Has anyone been through the same process that can tell me how it works or what I could possibly expect?

 

Thank you 

  • Hi,

    I'm sorry you are going through this worrying time. 

    It's difficult to say what to expect because it will depend what the biopsy results show.

    There are several options, the best being that the mole was benign. As you have been called back so quickly this may not be the case unless it was dysplastic (atypical). This means it's precancerous and, if it had not been removed, it would have become malignant. In these cases they like to check any other moles as there is more chance of getting another dysplastic mole. They also sometimes monitor the patient for a short time to watch for changes.

    The last option is that it is melanoma, however, it may have been caught quickly and may be 'in-situ' - meaning it hasn't grown below the skin's surface. If it has grown deeper it could be Stage 1 or 2. So you can see that it's difficult to know what may be said tomorrow. If it is melanoma, it will need a further excision. Please take someone with you if you can in case you forget any questions you have or you forget what has been said, otherwise, take any questions in a notebook and don't be afraid to ask anything that's worrying you.

    Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Hi [@AngieT]‍ 

    Thanks so much for your reply.

    The mole was dysplastic and they said it was removed at the right time. They are going to take a good chunk of surrounding skin away to ensure nothing develops. I am now under mole mapping so can spot any changes quickly.

    The best news I could of hoped for (apart from fully benign of course!)

    Thanks for your reply to my original post it really helped talking to someone who understood.

    Take care,

    Sophie 

  • Hi Sophie,

    I'm so glad to hear that and thank you for updating us as it helps others going through the same tests. Take care and best wishes, Angie x