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Skin biopsy results - have to go to dermatology to discuss and another doctor will be there to assist. What does this mean?

Cupcake12
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Hi, 

I had a mole biopsy done 7 weeks ago, I phoned yesterday to ask for results of which they said my consultant had been away for 2 weeks and is now catching up, today I had a phone call to go into dermatology to discuss my results and there will be another doctor there to assist. My head is going around in circles…. Why is there going to be another doctor to assist? I don’t feel these results are going to be ok. 

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    Hi Cupcake,

    It may well be that your results were positive for melanoma but hopefully it's been caught early & will be successfully treated with further surgery.

    The second doctor is probably a plastic surgeon who will discuss the further surgery - that is the next step for all positive results. Further tissue is removed from around the area of the melanoma to ensure they've 'mopped up' any stray cells. 

    I know how frightening it is when you are given half a story & left waiting for results. Once you have them & the consultants have explained everything, you will feel a little better knowing what's going on.

    Good luck and I hope you aren't waiting too long for your appointment. Please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi,

    thank you very much for replying, and I’m so very sorry to see you’ve had melanoma too!

    Do you think this is why they have got someone else in to assist? It’s going over and over in my head, they wouldn’t have called me in for an appointment if it was good news would they? I’m baffled and almost wish they didn’t tell me over the phone there will be someone else. My appointment is next Tuesday which I thought was quite quick considering there’s a bit of a back log if she’s been away for 2 weeks. 

    It’s an awful time, I have just had a relationship breakdown of 14 years and now this. I literally cannot stop crying. 

    thanks for being so kind x

  • Offline in reply to Cupcake12

    I'm sorry to hear you are already going through a rough time with your relationship breakdown. Do you have someone that can go to the appointment with you? It's good to have an extra pair of ears in case you miss something that's said.

    Most consultants ask patients to come in as they prefer to give results face to face, whether good or bad results. However, the fact they've mentioned the presence of another doctor at the appointment makes me think it's a Plastic Surgeon. Another possibility is that it's a trainee dermatologist who is sitting in on all appointments, whether good or bad news. 

    Next Tuesday will come around quickly so try not to dwell on it over the weekend (easier said than done, I know). We are only speculating and we may be wrong and it's good news. 

    We are hear for you x

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