Biopsy and excision of moles

My daughter had an excision of a mole on her foot and a punch biopsy of a mole on her face. It was 4 weeks ago now and she hasn't heard anything. Is this normal or delay due to pandemic? It just seems a long time to worry for her (and me!). Incidentally, she was on crutches for the first 3 weeks which she didn't expect and wasn't forewarned. 

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat, May-B.

    I'm sorry to hear that the biopsy results are taking longer than expected. Sadly this long wait is something we see here quite often lately, as many of our members could tell you.

    Hopefully, others will come along to share their experience with you and offer more insight but until then, feel free to join the conversations already taking place on the forum.

    The other thing I wanted to mention is that if you feel like speaking with someone medically trained might help until you hear from your daughter's doctors, our team of nurses are available on this phone number 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Fingers crossed the results won't take much longer now and that when they come back, they will be nothing sinister.

    Best wishes,

    Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

  • Hi,

    Before Covid results were taking about 2 or 3 weeks - they now take 4 weeks or more I'm afraid. I suggest that, if the hospital didn't give her an approximate time the results would take, that she rings the consultant's secretary to see if they are back. They can't tell her the results but they can give her an idea of how long before she gets an appointment or a reason for the continued delay. If she's had two biopsies there may be a delay with one of them.

    I'm sorry your daughter had to use crutches after the foot biopsy. Some people need them whilst others don't (I had an excision on the sole of my foot & hopped around for the first week). The theatre staff should really have been more aware about that problem.

    I hope she isn't waiting much longer & that the results bring good news. Please let us know how she gets on,

    Angie (melanoma patient)

  • Thank you for your kind and knowledgeable reply, Angela. I did suspect it might be taking longer than expected with the current situation. Time always seems longer too when you're waiting for something, and are anxious. I have an update to my daughters situation. She emailed the secretary in the Dermatology department. The Dermatologist rang and said that my daughter would soon receive a letter. He said that he couldn't give her any details but he said that she shouldn't be worried about her results. It was very kind of him to do that, and we were very grateful to hear what he said. 

  • That sounds promising and I hope the letter comes through quickly to put your minds at rest.