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Waiting for biopsy results potential melanoma

Eevee_snacks
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Hi there, probably I already know the answer to my question is to just wait and results will come when they come. 
 

I noticed a mole on my rib area had grown quite a bit and seemed to me to meet the criteria for suspected melenoma, size shape etc and so I contacted my GP. I send her a picture and within a week I had an appointment with the dermatologist who booked me in for an urgen excision biopsy. I had this procedure on the 23 of feb so it's now been around 4 weeks and I am very anxious waiting for the results. 
 

im based in Edinburgh and the dermatology team have been fantastic and really fast in terms of sending the initial picture to having the biopsy. I called my GP yesterday just to check if they had heard anything and to double check that the dermatology dept will contact me when they have results and they told me they would hear the same time as me and that she is pretty sure they will contact me. She said from my records she could see they referred me for urgen biopsy but maybe urgent is just because I was part of that 2 week time scale referral thing. 
 

my GP told me I can call the dermatology department to chase up results but I feel quite awkward doing this and wondered after how long it's appropriate to call them back. I know with the current situation everyone is behind and working under a lot of pressure. The nurse at my excision said it would be 3-4 weeks but the letter I took home said 6-12, so maybe I shouldn't expect any news for another two weeks. 
 

appologies this is quite a long a borning post! 
 

All the best,

 

Eevee

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    Hi Eevee,

    I know how anxious & stressful it is when waiting for biopsy results. Before Covid, the average waiting time was 2 to 4 weeks but sadly it's much longer at the moment. It differs greatly between hospital trusts so there is no 'one size fits all' guide to how long it will take. As you have had a letter quoting a 6+ week wait, I would leave it until into the 7th week before chasing it up. Don't feel awkward about ringing them - they know how stressful it is for patients & they deal with it every day. Hopefully you will hear before then but if not, give the dermatology clinic a ring & they may be able to give you an idea as to how much longer you will be waiting if the results aren't back yet. They can't tell you them over the phone - it's usually the consultant's secretary who takes the calls & they are not allowed to give results out. If they say the results are back but there will be a delay in contacting you, that's because all results have to be discussed at the weekly Multi Disciplinary Team Meeting,(dermatologist, plastics surgeon, oncology & nurses) regardless of whether the results are good or bad. After the meeting they then contact the patient.

    I hope this helps & that you aren't waiting too much longer. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (melanoma patient)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie, 

    Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and for all the information. I think that's good advice, I'll wait until week 7 and then give them a ring to see where they are. I guess clinics all over have different work loads so it's hard to say what the current wait times are at any given place. 
     

    The few people I've spoken to so far seem to have the 'no news is good news' oppinion and think I would have heard sooner if there were any issues but I think that's probably not the case and you just hear once they have had a chance to process your biopsy. 
     

    you can spend way too much time speculating huh. 
     

    Thanks so much, I'll let you know how I get on. 
     

    All the best, 

    Eevee
     

     

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie, 

    I received a letter in the post today to say that the result was moderately atypical naevus and it has all been removed and so I don't require anymore treatment which is great news. 
     

    thanjs again for all your help.

     

    Best wishes, 

    Eevee 

     

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