Hi,

I understand how worrying this is but it's always best to get a mole that's changing thoroughly checked out. A GP can't diagnose if a mole is benign & if it shows certain changes they have to refer a patient to a dermatologist who is an expert. The fact your husband's mole is presenting an uneven border, has grown and sometimes itches are the signs that a GP must refer.

Having said all that, 75% of patients referred to dermatology find that their mole is fine - it's either benign (non cancerous) or it's dysplastic (also known as atypical or precancerous). So the odds are still in your husband's favour that it's OK. 

Don't panic if they advise the mole is removed for a biopsy. This is often the case if they can't give a 100% diagnosis of it being benign by just examining it with a dermascope. Most benign diagnoses are made after a biopsy, so many patients have to go through having a surgical removal (as a day patient under a local anesthetic).  

If the results diagnose melanoma, don't panic. If it's caught early, 97% of patients are successfully treated and never have any further problem. The other 3%, like myself, have great treatment options these days. 

Your husband will be in good hands so try not to worry at the moment. If you want to get more reassurance, use the spyglass icon at the top of the page and search this forum for mole or melanoma - you will see many people in your husband's position have posted that their mole turned out to be fine - hopefully that will help lessen your worry. Good luck and please let us know how he gets on. 

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

I recently had a mole removed in this clinic under the 2ww. It was initially diagnosed as atypical - so basically anything that isn't completely benign looking is referred there.

It took just over 5 weeks from seeing the dermatologist to getting it removed. It was a very quick and painless procedure. I was told the results would be 4-6 weeks via an outpatient appointment. I'm at the 4 week mark now and still not received an appointment so I think the likely hood is more 8 weeks - which I've heard is about average. 

Thank you for sharing,  I’ll feel a lot better when it’s removed I think,  so at least I know whatever it is is gone,  hope you get your results soon and it’s benign :)