Probable melanoma

Hi. I was referred to a dermatologist because I happened to mention a changing area of my skin to my doctor at a health check. He immediately said "that's a melanoma ". I saw a dermatologist last week who agreed it fitted the profile and I am scheduled for a excision this week. Has anyone else been told it's a melanoma without a histology report ? I grew up in NZ and suffered a few sun burns as a child. Melanoma isn't uncommon there but it seems uncommon here to be told before a excision it is the diagnosis?

Offline Lyns21 over 5 years ago

I have a family member who had melanoma and no-one told him anything for sure until the biopsy results.
Cancel
Join to reply Sign in to reply

Cancel
Offline AngieT over 5 years ago

Hi,
It's very unusual for a GP and consultant to voice their thoughts without a histology report - I can only assume that your doctor specialises in dermatology as most GPs don't have the training to tell the difference. Even dermatologists don't tend to share their thoughts and wait until the biopsy results come back because they can sometimes be wrong.
Having said that, some consultants are very good at getting it right. My dermatologist, 24 years ago, took one look and voiced her suspicions - she was right. After that she was right every time (she knew that several more moles would come back benign and that the lump in my groin would be a spread of melanoma to a node). I knew her so well she knew she could speak frankly to me.
There is still a chance that the GP and Dermatologist are wrong though - hopefully they are.Good luck for clear results. Please let us know how you get on,
Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)
Cancel
Join to reply Sign in to reply

Cancel

All Categories

Probable melanoma

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us