Hi there,

I haven't had the same thing, but I have read a lot about melanoma, and from everything I've read, I think you are OK to relax a little bit - just because the appt is urgent, it doesn't necessarily mean they have found something awful.

It could be that it was a less serious sort of skin cancer, and even if it is melanoma, it might well be a low-grade sort which can be sorted out with a bit of a wider excision or perhaps some additional treatment to make sure it doesn't go anywhere.

Treatments have moved on an incredible amount in the last few years and there is a great deal that can be done even in the worst case, especially using immunotherapies and so on. Many more people are surviving melanoma than used to.

I do know how you feel and I am so sorry you're worried. I've found that there is only so much worry you can go through before your brain and your body just go, stuff this, it's tiring - and so after a bit you calm down.

I hope the next few days are manageable for you. Thinking of you and let us know how you get on x x

Hi, 

I ended up going to the clinic today in tears and a lovely doctor gave me an appointment to go back and discuss my results at lunch time, I'm not long home, the lady said that it came back with no cancer but they now want to cut more tissue from around where it was removed? I'm so confused now as if it's not cancer why are they removing more? She was very reassuring but I have looked up so much and the only reason the do the wider excisions is if there is something there? I'm now on a 3-4 month waiting list for it and it's going to be the longest months of my life. 

Hi Nadia,

I can see how confusing this must be for you so I will try and explain what has probably happened. If she said no cancer was found, yet they want you to go back for a further excision, it may well be that the mole was either a dysplastic mole (atypical mole) or Stage 0 (melanoma in situ). A dysplastic mole is one that looks dodgy but is benign. However, they like to remove it & the further surrounding tissue, because it has the ability to turn cancerous in the future if left. A Stage 0 (melanoma in situ) is a mole that has cancerous cells but the mole hasn't grown beneath the first layer of skin so it has no chance of spreading, however they like to take extra tissue around the area to make sure! 

The 'extra tissue' excision is a 'belt & braces' procedure to make sure that nothing is left lurking in that area. The fact that you are on a list for 3 to 4 months shows that it is not serious, it's just a fail safe. You can breathe again.

Angie (melanoma patient)

That's a great sign Nadia. They will also check any other moles you have as people with atypical ones quite often have more than one! I hope your GP helps you with your anxiety but please accept that you are going to be fine - you have got rid of the mole so you will be fine xx

Thank you so much, I feel a lot better talking to you! Yeah she checked and said the rest look fine just one on my finger to keep an eye on she's not worried about it just me because it's quite new

Oh what a relief, I am so, so pleased to hear this.

Listen to Angie T, she is really good at this (I've read some of her other posts!) and I would concur with everything she says.

Thanks for sharing your news. I understand the anxiety thing completely and I hope you might be able to get some help with it - I know how hard it can be.

All good wishes

AK

Thank you, hopefully after I get this other bit removed it comes back fine   Does anyone know someone that's ever had this before just because it's an atypical mole? 

Hi I'm in ur boat I have to have surgery this wensday to diagnose it but they no of the first biopsy what it is so I get ur frustration I'm so confused I had to sign concent forms told I could have more surgery if it came back clear but ,7 week in having most of my left boob took away is a bit harsh with no actual diagnosis

Aww I know it's really confusing, so have they said what yours is yet or this your first op? I had my mole removed and now they are saying it's not cancer but they still want to do another op to take more skin out just confuses me if it's nothing why they need more but I'm trying to be positive and not think about it now  x