Hi Sophie,

Everything you are feeling is totally normal and common and we all hope that the consultant can say, one way or the other, with some certainty if it's good or bad but sadly they really can't. Those with years of experience may have a good idea if a mole looks benign or malignant but they really can't say for sure because only a biopsy is the foolproof way to know. Melanoma is the most unpredictable and sneakiest of cancers and doesn't always look or behave like we expect, so that is why dermatologists can't make a definitive decision without a biopsy.

All I can say to give you some solidarity is that roughly 75% of patients get benign results, 20% are dysplastic (pre cancerous) and 5% are melanoma so there is still a very good chance that your mole isn't malignant. If unlucky enough to be melanoma, don't despair as it's not the end of the world. 95% of melanoma patients are treated successfully with surgery and regular monitoring for a time. So try not to catastrophise - distract your thoughts by throwing yourself into your new job and wedding plans and deal with this a step at a time rather than jumping ahead to 'worse case scenario' thoughts. 

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

Thank you Angie, the perspective and stats are really helpful - I think that's what I was really trying to ask the dermatologist, but it came out as "do I need to panic?" which is an entirely different, less helpful question. 

I have about 3 days to wait until it's removed, and then however long after that for results. Will try and keep myself busy in the meantime!


 

A quick update: I had the mole removed yesterday. I am a bit sore today but otherwise fine. Apparently results will take about 4 weeks, which was a bit disappointing so I'm still managing some of the anxiety over what exactly it was, if anything. 

However, it's not on my leg anymore, so that's a good thing!

Hello Angie - it took a while but just got confirmation through that it was just a dysplastic mole and has been entirely removed. So it all turned out ok!

Hey, I'm sorry to message as see this is an old thread but just come across your post and I going through the same thing at the moment. I'm really pleased yours was okay! I'm literally in panic alday,  can't really think of anything else at the moment.

I was refered by my GP to dermatology and they saw me last week, told me they would remove a mole that's got very dark and is 7mm, uneven edges, got told I would get a call for an appointment for removal, it's been a week now and nothing,  how long did you wait for your removal after initial dermatology app?

Hi,

Sadly the waiting times for all appointments have got longer since Sophie had her mole removed. The norm pre Covid was 2 weeks after the initial appointment - now it's an average of 6 weeks. Some hospital trusts are managing to do them within 4 weeks but the list is long, due to a lack of dermatologists, histologists, post Covid backlog (still) and more patients seeking medical assessment for their worrying moles/lesions. I suggest that, if you haven't heard anything by the middle of next week give dermatology a ring to see where you are on the list. If you are in a position to take a last minute cancellation, ask them to put you on the cancellation list (they'll get a few coming up to the summer holidays). 

Good luck & please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)