Apologies I meant 5th June.... 

removed on 23rd June 

Hi Sabz555

I am new to this chat group but saw your post and wanted to reply as I am in a similar situation to yourself. I have been very lucky with the NHS, appointment with GP regarding a lesion on my arm on the 24th June, Hospital appointment then made for the 30th June. I wasn't too worried at all as I attended the appointment. I thought they would just take a look at it and maybe book for a biopsy if they felt it was needed. I was not prepared for them telling me that I needed to have surgery to have the whole thing removed and was asked to return 30 mins later! They took a large chunck out of my arm and I am now left with a huge dent that I struggle to even look at (i'm a bit squeamish). I was told that the results will be back within 2 weeks but I'm not going to bank on it considering the situation with Covid. I think with the times for Biopsy results, I don't think the length of time is indicative of whether the result is good or bad news. I think it all depends on the demands at the time on the Path lab and Consultants. 

I am putting on a brave face as I don't want to worry anyone if it turns out to be nothing. I have decided that I will start to worry if and when I am told I have anything to worry about. For the time being I am reminding myself daily that it has been cut out now so if it is benign then that will be the end of it. The scar and dent will remain but is a small price to pay I think. 

I have read a lot of posts on this page and everyone is very supportive and understanding at how we are all feeling at different stages in our journeys. 

Please let me know how you get on with your results. I will keep everything crossed for you.

Hi sally8305

thank you for your lovely response. Hopefully they have removed what they needed to for you and your results will be fine. Atleast we know that it's been removed and we are not on ridiculously long waiting lists. 
It will be two weeks for me tomorrow 7/07 and I called up today and my biopsy is back, but I need to wait for the consultant to check it and either call me or write to me! I'm actually more nervous now then I have been in this whole

process. 
I have a dent in my leg also but I'd rather have a dent and know it's no longer in my body should it be something of concern or later develop into something concerning. 
the only thing that keeps playing in my head is when the private dermatologist said to me that it is melanoma, but will need a biopsy to confirm! Surely she knows her stuff! So I'm not expecting any good news! I'm just praying that if it is then it hasn't spread anywhere and they caught it early.

I hope you also hear something soon.have your tried to chase them? 
when I had my biopsy they told me that it will be two weeks and exactly two weeks later the results returned! 

Yes your right this forum is so supportive 

 
hope your hear back soon and it's some positive news! 
 

Hi both

I am in the same situation. I had my mole removed 3 weeks ago and awaiting the results with a pretty big dent in my leg.It is really hard isn't it trying to stay positive and not read into everything. I chased a few days ago and they said that the results can come in over the weekend but I've not heard anything today

Hope you get positive results soon. We are in this together to support each other 

L x

Hi Lozzie01,

fingers crossed for you. Hope you get good results and hear soon. I know results take time but it literally messes with your head! Only if there was fast track process to avoid this torture.

When you had the mole checked what did the dermatologist say to you? Did they say you have melanoma? 
 

Hi Sabz 

I was starting to think it was just me but I totally agree with you it completely messes with your head. I try and get on with things but I've always got one eye on my phone and when the postie comes! It is torture!

I just wish I could actually remember my consultants exact words but I was stressing and hot with a mask on and she had a visor on so it was really hard to hear but my removal was 48 hours later so she really did want it removed asap.

Fingers crossed we get an outcome really soon. Did they say they would call you or write a letter?

Omg that was me too, I had the mask on but my face was dripping once she said to me that it's highly likely it is melanoma! I didn't even know what to ask her because I was so confident that nothing would be wrong with me. 
you are also lucky that 48hrs later you got a appointment. I had to wait over a week and I had to literally beg for that aswell. Otherwise the next appointment was 3 weeks after! 
I was going to go private and I recieved a call to let me know they had a cancellation! 
well we can only hope that no news is good news!!! 
The doctors secretary told me today that I will either get a call or a letter! So I have no idea! I'm going to harass them again tomorrow! 
Let me know if you hear.

Yes good idea I will also call them again tommorow and hopefully we will get our results with some good news but even if not at least we can deal with it then.

Good luck and fingers crossed for you for tommorow I will let you know if I hear anything x

Hello Sabz, Sally & Lozzie,

I know how worrying it is when you are waiting for your biopsy results. At the moment referral & surgical appointments are being done quicker than usual because not many patients are seeing their Gp's and being referred. However, results are still taking just as long because the histology departments are still very busy. The average wait is usually 4 weeks so if you have been told 2 weeks that's an improvement.

Once the results are received by the consultant they have to be discussed at a Multi Disciplinary Meeting (MDT). This includes the dermatologist, plastic surgeon, oncologist and the specialist cancer nurse. The MDT is held for all results, whether positive for cancer or benign. A unanimous decision is reached as to the next step - either discharge if benign or what follow up surgery and check ups are needed in the future. The patient will then usually receive an appointment to be given the results face to face (whether good or bad). A few consultants will send benign results by letter but not many do - this is because they usually like to check that the excision site is healing well before discharging the patient.

So don't panic if you ring & they say the results are in but they can't tell you yet. The MDT is only held once a week so it delays your appointment for a week or so. 

Good luck, hopefully you won't be waiting too much longer and they will bring good news. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi Angie,

Thank you for your message, i found the information very helpful. I didn't have any idea about the MDT but now you explain it I guess it makes sense. I'd like to know that they discuss these issues properly and provide the correct diagnosis. I'm really pleased I found this forum, it's a great sounding board and I no longer feel as anxious as I did before. 

My excision surgery was a week ago so maybe I'll hear something this week or next week. My wound is still weeping a bit and becoming quite itchy. I have been putting vaseline on it as instructed. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I can put on it to stop the discomfort? I have also found a couple of other lumps since the excision but not sure whether to concern the doctor with it now are wait until the biopsy results come back? 

I hope everyone else on this thread is getting on ok? Please keep is all updated on your results. I love seeing good news on here, it fills me with hope :) 

Take care xx