Does this sound fishy or am I being paranoid? - Cancer: Skin Message Board

FearfuL · 03-03-2005, 06:29 PM

Ok, so I had a shave biopsy done and the report came back with a compound melanocytic nevus. It doesn't say "benign" on the report, but the derm translated that to me. Does it HAVE TO say "benign" on the report in order for it to be benign or not necessarily?

Now the first derm I went to that gave me my report gave me the diagnosis and I was outta there. But I went in for a wound check today and this other derm that works in the same office had to consult his colleague about the diagnosis to make sure nothing further needed to be done. He concluded that everything is fine. Wouldn't a derm be able to conclude on their own whether or not something needs to be done about a nevus?

AND as I was leaving, he told me to come back in a year or two to make sure I have a 'clean bill of health'. If the sample came back benign, why is he asking me to come back later? I feel like he knows something I don't lol.

So, am I just being paranoid or does this sound weird to anyone?

irisrose · 03-04-2005, 04:42 PM

Sounds like you need to find a more communicative pair of dermotologists. LOL! Seems like trying to get information out of these two is harder than pulling teeth.

Anyway, I looked on the internet and found this information for you. Basically, all moles are pathologically called melanocytic nevus and when they get raised or elevated over time they are then referred to as compound melanocytic nevus. Unless the path report found anything atypical or melanoma, it's a normal mole. He probably is just telling you to come back in year because that is the recommendation by most derms is to have a full body check by a dermotologist once per year. So, it appears as though you are fine.

Here's the link if you'd like to read about it.
http://www.edermpda.com/FeedbackPage/WebPage/NEVUS.htm

Take care!