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Suspected Melanoma. Eugh!

Roman12
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I Moved to scandinavia a year or so ago, from the UK and in the last week have been to the doctors for the first time to have a suspicious looking freckle checked. He sent me on an eurgent referral to see a dermatologits the next day as he was worried too, and then she referred me for an excision by the pastic surgeon at the hosipital for two days later (that was yesterday). He did a 5mm excision biopsy for suspected skin cancer, which shocked me as I had read that 1mm is standard for biopsies. Anyone know why they might have done this? They've all mentioned the world Melanoma :shocked: - Now I have the two week wait for my results. I feel convinced this is going to be bad, because it was so fast (only 3 days from docs visit to being in the hospital), it feels like they really think it's urgent. But  because I'm not really used to the health system here it makes it hard to understand what's normal and what's not. 

This is tough.

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    Hi,

    It may well be that dermatology care in Scandinavia is quicker than the UK (is it private treatment)? The size of the excision does sound large - usually the margin taken for biopsy is 2 to 3mm but again, it may differ where you are being treated (they may take a larger margin for biopsy in an effort to bypass doing a wider local excision when diagnosed with melanoma). It might be worth searching online to see if there are any skin cancer support groups in the country you reside in - you may be able to get information as to how their health system deals with skin cancer. 

    Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (melanoma patient)

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    Hi Roman12,

    I'm going through something similar myself. I was urgently referred to the dermatologist under the two week rule, I was told that my mole wouldn't be removed on the day but it obviously looked suspicious enough for the dermatologist to remove it there and then. She told me I would be coming back to get more skin taken off when the results came through. So maybe it's just to save you coming back later like I have to? I haven't even got my results and she's decided on that. I'm not sure how much they can find out just from looking at it? Obviously more than I thought. I've been waiting 2 weeks now and the wait is 4-6 weeks here, it's absolute torture. 
     

    Keep us updated with everything and if you need anyone to talk to that's going through something similar I'm here ️
     

    Elena

  • Offline in reply to Hawtain

    Hi

    Thanks for your messages. After my crazy weekend of googling I decided to keep myself busy and calmed down a little.  

    I was back for my results yesterday and found out it’s stage 1a superficial spreading melanoma. I feel so lucky to have caught it early.  They performed a second Wide local excision on the day (they had a cancellation, so doubly lucky). They removed an extra 5mm of skin to make 1cm total and I just head back for a review appointment in 3 months. Hopefully, that will be that. 

     

    Elena, how are you getting on with waiting? It’s such a long time for you. ️ If you’d like to talk or let of some steam then I’m always here... keep me updated on how you get along and please send me a PM if you’d like a chat x 

  • Offline in reply to Roman12

    That's good news Roman. They will check you regularly for a space of time & then you should be fine with no further problem. 

  • Offline in reply to Hawtain

    Hi Elena,

    I hope you've managed to get your results before Christmas - if not, I hope they don't take too much longer. Good luck,

    Angie

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