Hi Lullabell,

A very warm welcome to our community.

I am sorry to hear that you have been having problems with this for so long and are still no closer to a diagnosis. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. One was 8 years ago and the other was 9 years ago.

I had 2 excisional biopsies done 8 weeks ago. One was on my face, just under my eye and the other was on my leg, just above my ankle. I saw a plastic surgeon for these procedures, as the dermatologist told me that I would need a skin graft on my face following surgery.

I saw the plastic surgeon and two nurses and all three were great. They really put me at ease from the outset. I had a local injection in both areas, then the surgeon tested to see if the areas were sufficiently anaesthetized. I could still feel the area, so he injected more anaesthetic. When it was fully numb, he proceded to take the biopsy. Like you, I was terrified at the thought of having this done, especially so close to my eye.

I felt nothing. He did my face first, then stitched that up and applied a dressing, before he moved on to my leg. Again, I felt nothing and this was stitched up and dressed.

I was told to return the following week to get the stitches removed from my face and to attend my local health centre two weeks later to get the stitches removed from my leg. Three specialists had told me that they expected to find a lentigo maligna, but fortunately both lesions were benign when the results came back.

Are you taking someone with you to your appointment tomorrow. It is always a good idea to do so.

I hope that you have an equally reassuring time tomorrow and  that it all turns out well in the end. Certainly, it's nothing to worry about.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank u for replying, my mum's coming with me. I'm glad your recovering well.

It's not the actual biopsy I'm worried about, it's the outcome, I've read somewhere that they can tell from an ultrasound if lymph nodes are cancer, they just need a biopsy to confirm.

Would u know anything about this? X

Hi Lullabell,

I'm glad to hear that your mum is going with you.

What shows up with different tests depends upon what type of cancer is present. Some cancers will show up with mammogram or ultrasound, but it is the biopsy that determines the type and grade of cancer present.

Where things are still not too clear with these tests, some consultants will ask for a CT scan or an MRI, as these tests can clarify things.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do to influence the results. What will be, will be. Some people have swollen lymph nodes, without being aware of any type of infection and, they cango down again or remain swollen for years.

Please let us know how you get on tomorrow. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank u, I will let u know happens x

So, went to see the ENT specialist 2day, still doing biopsy 2moro but he seems less worried.

My glandular bloods came back positive so he thinks I have low grade glandular fever but wants to do the biopsy to be certain it's nothing sinister so I'm feeling alot better now, will have to wait 2 weeks for biopsy results, so will try to relax until then x

Hi Lullabell,

I'm glad to hear that you feel a little better after your visit to the ENT specialist. I must say that I would prefer a diagnosis of glandular fever to one of cancer. I hope that your biopsy tomorrow goes well and, doesn't show up anything more untoward.

Let's hope that your diagnosis still ends up as glandular fever and nothing more sinister. Do please let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx