biopsy = cancer? - Cancer: Skin Message Board

FearfuL · 02-15-2005, 04:16 PM

The dermotologist had me undergo a biopsy today (it was either a shave or punch bopsy; no stitches) on an irregular looking mole. It was so sudden and quick.

Are these kind of biopsies done because cancer is highly suspected or could this be a 'play it safe' situation?

BonBe · 02-16-2005, 04:05 AM

did the doctor not explain why to you? Only the biopsy will tell. But if a mole is changing and looks at all like anything it is best all around to have them removed. but according to experts on a suspicious mole or anything like that a "shave" is not the way to go. Punch or excisional is the only way to get the full 'thickness' of it.

Most moles prove out to be benign, and that is a good thing, but a very good thing that you are vigilant and so is your dermatologist. I am just surprised that you were not told the reason why he is doing the biopsy.

BonBe

FearfuL · 02-16-2005, 12:18 PM

Hi, BonBe! Thanks for the reply.

Well, she said it was irregular looking, so she wanted to do it.

I dunno, if it were highly suspected of cancer, would they tell you straight out? I feel like they wouldn't. But I guess that's the paranoia in me.

BonBe · 02-16-2005, 12:52 PM

That is a very hard thing to answer. With me (my only real example) I had a huge UGLY mole (and I am not a young spring chicken) it was there for a long time as a regular flat black (missplaced beauty mark) hahah both my family doctor, and the plastic surgeon I was sent to, thought it was just a rather large ugly mole that should come off. NO ONE SUSPECTED the biopsy (excisional with 3 stitches) was done, and in 3 weeks I was given the report, and it is not a good one.

It totally took everyone for a loop....so being vigilant is key here. When in doubt get it checked out, but keep solid on the line of NO PARANOIA! really you can go nuts if you rush about every mole, mark, cute/ugly freckle red dots, blue dots, black dots.... but if they CHANGE that is what needs to be seen. I personally go for 3 month checks to the dermatologist and 3 months checks to the oncologist as my diagnosis was not good.

However, keeping on top of things is important, and it sounds like you are doing that. Results from the biopsy take time to come back and to be read by the doctor.

Hope this helps.
NOT HINDERS YOU PLEASE I am a different case.

Bonnie

FL_Trish · 02-16-2005, 01:21 PM

You have a really good doctor.
In my case, I had a really cute freckle. I went to a dermatologist once a year and he didn't think I should have it removed... he just kept an eye on it.
Then I went to a different dermatologist, and he decided to take it out. He told me that I knew better on what was normal (if I thought it had grown a little or if the color/shape changed) on what was not. It made sense since it was my body and I saw the moles more often than he did.
The biopsy ended up being in-situ melanoma (melanoma at its early stage), but I still had to have about 1-1/2" round of skin taken out and replaced by a skin graft.
Any way... on my case it was a cute (I am serious) freckle... I just happened to find a good doctor. If I had had it removed before, the results of the biopsy would have been negative, but it would have been a lot better than waiting until it turned into cancer.

I have no family history of skin cancer (going back to 4 generations)… I have dark pigmentation… never sun burnt when I was a child and always use sun block protection.
The freckle was a little irregular in shape, but it had been like that for 3 years.
He told me that when in doubt… it is better to have it checked out.

I am glad your doctor was this proactive with you.