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biopsy results

BLP10
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Hi all.

 

I'm 25 years old and I had a skin lesion removed last week for ?skin cancer. It started as a freckle and changed a lot in colour, shape and size within a matter of weeks and became itchy.

 

I have a family history of melanoma, my auntie was diagnosed when she was 25/26 had it removed, got on with life but was diagnosed again when she was in her late 30s, ended up with cancer of various organs and she sadly died from it a couple of years later.

 

Both the dr and consultant said they were concerned by all of the above and I had the whole thing (hopefully) removed, I am just awaiting my biopsy results. 

 

They've told me 4 weeks for my results... does this seem right? I just assumed it would be 7-10 days maximum and the more I think about it the more anxious I get. I'm in a lot of pain from the biopsy as its on the sole of my foot/heel and I'm really struggling with normal activities. The wound has been left open due to the position of the lesion and it keeps bursting/bleeding which knocks me sick. 

 

I've had medical photography done of the affected area, i had to send pictures to my GP and the consultant confirmed the lesion has changed since I took that photo (1 week previously). He ruled it out as a blood lesion as it was the wrong colour - I believe he used a dermascope? to take a closer look.

 

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. 

 

I'm honestly petrified. I havent told many people as I don't want to talk about it when there's nothing much to tell at present, but when the people that do know ask how I am I feel like I need to say I'm OK... in reality I'm the complete opposite.

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    Hi, 

     

    I'm sorry you are going through an anxious time right now. I was in the same position just a couple of months ago. I also had the sole of my foot biopsied and the results came back within 3 weeks. From my understanding, this is a pretty usual timeframe. 

     

    I assure you that waiting for the results was absolutely the worst part. Like you, I also noticed my lesion and got it biopsied basically within a few weeks. So, I tried to remind myself that whatever it might be, I had been quick to call my GP and had not ignored it, and so even if it were bad, it would've been caught early. It sounds like you've done the same thing, so well done on being vigilant!

     

    Remember that most biopsied lesions come back totally benign. In my case, it was Stage 1a melanoma, but it was very thin, so, again, I'm glad I caught it early. Hopefully yours will be one of many, many benign lesions. 

     

    Lucky

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    Hi,

    I'm sorry you have this worry, especially with losing your aunt to the disease. Lucky has already given you good advice. Biopsy result waiting times vary from hospital to hospital so all I can give is a usual average wait of 4 weeks. The consultant usually gets them back within about 3 weeks but then every patient's results have to be discussed at a Multi Disciplinary Meeting (MDT), regardless of whether they are benign or cancerous. The dermatologist, plastic surgeon, oncologist & specialist nurses discuss the next step - either discharge for a benign result, a period of monitoring for a dysplastic (precancerous) result or further surgery for a cancer result. These meetings are only held once a week so that is what causes the delay.

    I'm sure you've already been advised but try to keep your foot elevated when you are at rest. This helps to stop it bursting & bleeding. I had one removed from the sole of my foot so I now how painful and worrisome it is & how long it takes to heal. Sadly you just have to be patient.

    Even with your family history there is still a 75% chance that your results will come back clear. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

  • Offline in reply to Lucky_11_

    Thank you Lucky  

     

    I'm a little over a week since my biopsy now and I've learnt to keep myself busy to try and take it off my mind. I think it's been worse not going about my day to day life due to not being able to work and having to rest. 

     

    I keep having irrational thoughts so its not great but I've moved in with family so I don't have to be in the house alone because this leads to me over thinking! 

     

    Every time my phone rings my heart jumps thinking its the hospital. 

     

    I'm trying to be as positive as I can about the whole situation.

     

    Youre right, even if it is cancerous, it looks as though I've caught it early. Is definitely helped- in a sense - that I'm very vigilant with my skin since my aunties diagnosis and this is something my friends and family have always found strange but now I'm going through it they're all being a lot more vigilant. My friend has even stopped using the sun beds! That is a win win situation for me as I'm quite vocal about sun bed use! 

     

    I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I hope you're well and have recovered.

     

    B x

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thank you Angie.

     

    You're so right. I have since spoken with my GP as they rang to see how I was getting on. They talked me through the MDT meetings and I suppose it makes sense as they need to be thorough. 

     

    I'm finding it the hardest going to appointments alone. But it is something I have no control of.

     

    I will post again once I get my results. 

     

    Thanks again for your response 

     

    B x

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