The process is completely different than before now. They had a roll out of a new fds scheme. Unfortunately I have not found that helpful to read up on. Meant to be 28 days from referral to diagnosis, Because I’m currently going through this process. And I hate to say it, but it’s a long one! Beginning of February I’ve been going through this whole process. 
we’re now 3 months down the line, I’m waiting for my results and still none the wiser if I have skin cancer or not. 
they placed me on the urgent pathway and whilst I was having my biopsy told me that I was under fast track. 
7 weeks since surgery, I’ve still got no diagnosis. Whether that being benign or malignant. 
The wait is very difficult. And I really hope the process goes much smoother for you. 
wishing you the best and hope you get benign results

Very sorry to hear you've been waiting so long. Did you receive any kind of initial diagnosis?

No I haven’t unfortunately. 
all I was told it’s suspected skin cancer from a new pigmented lesion. 
nothing since, next week makes it 8 weeks since my biopsy so I’m really hoping I will have a diagnosis from then. But judging by how long this whole process is taking I’m really not sure 

Hi,

It sounds to me like the consultant thinks there is more chance of it being atypical than benign. Atypical is also referred to as dysplastic or precancerous. This is when the cell structure they can see appears to be changing so they always remove an atypical mole. That's because it could turn completely malignant within a few weeks or it could take a few years - they prefer to remove it now whilst it's small (in depth) & easier to do. 

Where the Boots dermascopy is concerned - it really is open to interpretation. You could get 2 NHS dermatologists examine it through a dermascope & they may slightly vary in their diagnosis. That is why it's always best to get it removed as only a biopsy can 100% confirm a diagnosis - the consultant's initial thoughts are really a 'pre-diagnosis.' Add into that the fact that atypical moles are also known as 'ugly ducklings' in the trade because they look suspicious but they haven't actually turned cancerous. Amongst all moles that have undergone a biopsy, the largest amount are atypical closely followed by benign & then melanoma. 

I'm sorry you are still waiting for a surgical appointment. It appears that a 4 week wait is the average in the UK at the moment & the wait for the results is even longer. I suggest you contact them & say you are happy to take a last minute cancellation if one becomes available (if you can drop everything at a few hours notice). 

I hope this helps & that you get an appointment through quickly. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

I'm sorry that you still haven't received your results after 7 weeks. It appears that 8 weeks is the current average wait for results in the UK with some hospital trusts taking even longer. This is sadly due to a lack of NHS histologists & a higher workload (more patients are seeing their GP about worrying moles/lesions). Have you contacted them to ask if your results are back yet? It may be that they are back but they haven't yet been discussed at the MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team meeting). All results, whether positive or negative, are discussed at the weekly meeting which consists of dermatology, plastics and oncology. This can sometimes hold up the results then being passed on to the patient.

I hope you receive your results through soon & they bring good news. Good luck and please let us know how you get on (if benign, it helps others going through the same to know that not all moles are melanoma).

Angie Tough (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009).

Yes, you are correct in your assumption.

I'm glad you have least got an appointment through. Hopefully you will get a cancellation through to get it done earlier. I've managed to get it done quicker twice that way. Good luck.

Fingers crossed! Gave them a ring and they said they do get quite a number of cancellations but it's the urgent referral patients that take them but I'm welcome to ring daily to check. I quickly I added that I was one of the urgents and she happily took my number and said she'd call me.

Seemed to indicate there was just one other patient at the moment who was looking for cancellations, so here's hoping I'm second in queue.

That's good to hear. Fingers crossed for you x

Thought I'd try my luck last Friday and gave them a quick ring. The same lady who had been optimistic regarding cancellations seemed less so when I said it was a biopsy. I guess they get far more cancellations for routine apps than they do biopsies. She still said she'd give me a call if anything came up so my fingers are still crossed.

I think I'm just getting more anxious to get rid of this little creeper. I actually thought it hadn't grown so found it a bit disconcerting to compare it to a photo from a month ago. It has clearly grown about 2mm!!

I guess I shouldn't be alarmed as the derm said I was growing, but I'm just so suspicious of the area it's in.